Depeche Mode: A Biography
Product ID: 117481034
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Bursting onto the pop music scene during the British electronic pop craze at the beginning of the 80s, and enjoying success and longevity greater than any of their kindred bands, Depeche Mode continues to bring music to the masses through their albums and world tours. In Depeche Mode: A Biography , rock writer Steve Malins goes back to the beginning, when David Gahan, Martin Gore, and Andrew Fletcher were teenagers in the suburbs of London, in a time when synthesizers were gaining ground in the wake of punk rock. Their catchy compositions would heavily influence much of the electronically-driven popular music that followed-and their albums Black Celebration and Violator would ignite a storm of worldwide adulation. Malins reveals the union of three completely different personalities that forms Depeche Mode: The reckless, flamboyant Gahan, the quiet, artistic Gore, and the pragmatic, confrontational Fletcher. Since the 80s the threesome has survived frequently colliding egos, marriages, the departure of band members Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder, and the bizarre vicissitudes of global fame, to create a working partnership that has lasted for decades. Depeche Mode: A Biography sheds light on the trials and tensions that the band has lived through, from the rigorous Devotional tour, during which Gahan, Fletcher, and Wilder were hospitalized at different times, to Gahan's insane adventures living in Los Angeles and his near-fatal drug overdose in 1995. Written with the band's cooperation, Depeche Mode: A Biography is a remarkable story of music, fame, and excess, a must-read for DM fans who just can't get enough. Review: DM Bio - Well, I love all things Depeche Mode and this was a very interesting read. Quite a bit of the history of the band I was already aware of, and other history was clarified in this book. It is on my Kindle and I will definitely re-read in the future as I enjoyed it that much. Review: Alan Wilder opinion about the book - Question " What do you think of the new Depeche Mode book by Steve Malins? Were you allowed to read the book before it was published? Is there anything you would like to correct?" Alan Wilder" No, I didn’t read it before publication. It’s no literary masterpiece but I think it’s a pretty entertaining (and amusing) read all-round. On the whole it’s accurate (barr one or two glaring mistakes like the spelling of Daryl BALMONTE). However, there are a couple of things that I can only describe as utter bollocks…. such as the claim that I got the band together after the end of the ‘Devotional’ tour and said that for the next DM album noone was allowed to be in the studio except me and that I wanted total control. There was no such meeting about a new LP and I’ve certainly never said this – the only meeting we had after the end of the tour was a year later when I told the others about my intentions to leave. There was also a suggestion that I tried to split the band by leaving. I certainly didn’t do it to break up DM, nor did I think this would happen. I have also never once regretted my decision to quit. It was the best move I could have made for many reasons. Whilst Steve Malin’s book probably offers the most comprehensive insight so far into the much-hyped subject of ‘roles’, it is still essentially a third-party take on what was (and remains) a very private environment and shouldn’t be interpreted as the definitive record of what went on in DM."
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 237 Reviews |
R**A
DM Bio
Well, I love all things Depeche Mode and this was a very interesting read. Quite a bit of the history of the band I was already aware of, and other history was clarified in this book. It is on my Kindle and I will definitely re-read in the future as I enjoyed it that much.
M**E
Alan Wilder opinion about the book
Question " What do you think of the new Depeche Mode book by Steve Malins? Were you allowed to read the book before it was published? Is there anything you would like to correct?" Alan Wilder" No, I didn’t read it before publication. It’s no literary masterpiece but I think it’s a pretty entertaining (and amusing) read all-round. On the whole it’s accurate (barr one or two glaring mistakes like the spelling of Daryl BALMONTE). However, there are a couple of things that I can only describe as utter bollocks…. such as the claim that I got the band together after the end of the ‘Devotional’ tour and said that for the next DM album noone was allowed to be in the studio except me and that I wanted total control. There was no such meeting about a new LP and I’ve certainly never said this – the only meeting we had after the end of the tour was a year later when I told the others about my intentions to leave. There was also a suggestion that I tried to split the band by leaving. I certainly didn’t do it to break up DM, nor did I think this would happen. I have also never once regretted my decision to quit. It was the best move I could have made for many reasons. Whilst Steve Malin’s book probably offers the most comprehensive insight so far into the much-hyped subject of ‘roles’, it is still essentially a third-party take on what was (and remains) a very private environment and shouldn’t be interpreted as the definitive record of what went on in DM."
L**E
Missing Members
Probably the best Depeche bio, very detailed. The cover however.... Why did they pick this picture? And this least successful incarnation of the band as a trio? It didn't exactly make me want to buy this book. I'd prefer a classic photo from the glory days with Wilder or Clarke included.
B**K
for the DM loving, music mag loving Brit
Fans of the band (and I am one) will find lots to enjoy about this book. And if those fans really like articles in music magazines (I don't necessarily), then they will like it even more as the book reads like a compilation of lots and lots of magazine articles about the band. Finally, if those fans also happen to be English, then I suspect they will like it even more. The book is written in English with lots of of English slang that escapes my American mind (no doubt, any Brit who just read that is already thinking up a clever slag response). I enjoyed the book because I enjoy the band, and there's lots of great information.
M**R
Great read
Great book, lots of interesting info for depeche fans but wish more of it was from pov of Dave Gahan or Martin Gore, for this reason I meant to give it 4 1/2 stars but it posted 5 too fast!
J**T
Mode Read
Interesting read, I like the fact that it starts from the beginning and gets updated. So get the latest version.
R**3
A Must-Have for Every Depeche Fan
This is a highly informative book starting from the very beginning, showing the evolution of the band. Highlights include quotes from band members and friends, giving both positive and negative comments on the progress of Depeche Mode. Malins also shows the tensions between band members and problems they faced, such as drug addiction, breakdowns, and heavy drinking. While this book is extremely informative, Malins tends to devote a little too much attention to David's drug problems.
K**.
Wow
This is a dense book, well written and very thorough. If you think you already know everything about Depeche Mode, think again.
C**A
Precious!
If you want to get to know Depeche mode, learn about their music, their lives, this is the book you should read. Accounts by Alan Wilder and Daniel Miller really add to it. The entire band contributed, that's why it's so real. Beautifully written. I simply could not put it down and am now reading it all over again!
P**.
The definitive biography of DM!
If you are a DM fan, this book does not omit anything, their musical abilities and skills, their life (the work of the Guardian Angel with Gahan...: the rock star!), the genius of Gore and Wilder, Fletcher always there... Well description of all their albums and the different periods in their lives, fantastic!
M**O
Immancabile ...
Per un fan del gruppo, non può mancare a casa. Di biografie e libri sul gruppo sono stati scritti tanti, questo lo ritengo il migliore. consigliatissimo!
C**.
Great book for fans
I remember becoming a life long fan of DM when my friend dropped the needle on his copy of Speak and Spell back in 1982, from then on I have bought everything they produced. I do regret only seeing them in concert once - the 101 tour - since then I haven't been able to find anyone else willing to go with me! So finding this biography was quite a nice surprise, it fills in all the background on how they got started and why they added Alan Wilder then lost him again! It answers the question as to why they went from releasing a new album each year to every 3 years and provides a valuable side history of Mute Records who surely only became as big as they are due to the close involvement with DM. The biography doesn't hold back and gives details of disagreements, earnings and personal failings of the band members, it doesn't necessarily make you like them any better but the honesty is appreciated and for me it has always been about the music anyway. Overall it is a great way to find out about the men behind the music and I would just like to say I wish they would do a few more tour dates in the UK - I counted just one in Birmingham - for their 2013/4 tour. I should just add that as a result of reading this I have repurchased all the earlier albums which I had on vinyl and haven't been able to play for about 10 years, you find yourself wanting to relive the history of the band through the music.
J**A
Five Stars
awesome read for fans of the band
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