+++ This interview is a ten-year-old find from our archives that we have updated on the occasion of Andrew Fletcher’s death. +++
A
All things change
Mr. Fletcher, all things go their own way – how has Depeche Mode changed over the past 30 years?
You don’t have that much time! No, too much has happened since the days we crouched in the back of a van and stripped off our suits after work to play futuristic music.
Is Depeche Mode still a band – or rather a company?
I like the idea that we’re still a band.
What would 16-year-old young Christian Andy say about the man he has become today?
To be honest, at 16 I had no expectations. Actually, I just wanted a secure job. Preferably at a bank.
B
Basildon
How was it growing up in Basildon?
Basildon is a New Town that was built after World War II. A sleeping place for eager workers. And to be honest, this wasn’t so bad: we had a house, a garden, even a toilet in our own four walls.
What kind of boy do you imagine Fletch to be?
I was quite a nerd, good at school, a devout Christian, an avid cricket and soccer player. I knew Vince from the Boys Brigade (Christian military scouts – editor’s note), I met Martin when I was 11 at school. It was okay growing up in Basildon back then. Unfortunately, the city is now a place of high unemployment, smoking teenage mums and the like.
C
Composition of Sound
Before Dave Gahan joined the band, they operated under the name Composition of Sound. Would this band have been as successful as Depeche Mode?
Never. Depeche Mode sounds more daring, more mysterious.
D
Germany
How do you explain the love affair between the synth band and their most loyal followers?
I can’t really explain it rationally: Is it the romantic disposition of the Germans to heavy, sometimes dark synth-pop? No idea! On the other hand, we worked really hard for it. The first concert outside England took place in Hamburg. And: The Germans gave us a lot of credit for recording in the Hansa Studios.
E
Enjoy the silence
Every show, the old song: How do you motivate yourself when you’ve been rattling off the same hits for years?
We take it sporty. Our shows almost have the character of a musical, and there, too, it’s about delivering a good performance. evening after evening.
f
fans
Hardly any band these days has such loyal fans as DM.
We have unique fans. And you have first-class manners. They are polite, non-intrusive, and know how to behave.
Some people have been following you for 30 years.
And they’ve long been part of Depeche Mode, true friends. You were there from the start. Without these hardcore fans, Depeche Mode wouldn’t be what it is today…
… bigger than the actual band?
Absolutely right!
G
Gahan/Gore
Two hyperegomaniac colleagues: you were always the third man in the band structure.
Honestly it was harder when there were four of us.
How is Mr. Gahan doing these days?
He is very healthy. More importantly, he’s fine. And as far as I can tell, he’s happy.
H
hits
In February 1981, 30 years ago, the band had their first small hit: “Dreaming Of Me” charted at number 57 in the UK hit parade. Can you remember the day this happened?
I can still remember very well when I heard the piece on the radio for the first time: I was at home, heard the first chords and could hardly believe my luck.
Nevertheless, you did not quit your job in the city for the time being.
No, I was too scared for that.
I
Internet
Depeche Mode has sold more than 100 million albums since 1981. But even a band like Depeche Mode suffers from piracy in the digital age.
Don’t get me wrong, though: the internet is great for Depeche Mode. Our fans can exchange ideas, organize – and create something that is unique, something that would never have been possible before.
J
Just Can’t Get Enough
Mr. Fletcher, how much longer?
We joke about that ourselves. And for a long time. Of course we secretly hope not to be on stage as long as the Stones. I admire the Stones for everything they have achieved. Nevertheless, I hope that we can make the exit earlier.
K
Kick off
The first concert – what do you remember?
That was May 1980. I remember Dave almost peed his pants. He was really scared. Martin found it easier as he played in both bands performing that night.
How long was the first show?
About 40 minutes.
How many spectators were there?
About 100.
And then you got really drunk after that?
We’ve done that before. Otherwise we would never have started.
L
heritage
What would you like to read in the dictionary for popular music from the year 2100 under the keyword “Depeche Mode”?
Thank God I don’t have to worry about that anymore, after all I’ll be dead by then. That’s why it doesn’t interest me anymore.
M
Manager
One journalist once noted, “The division of labor at Depeche Mode has long been established as follows: Martin Gore writes the songs, Dave Gahan sings them, and Andy Fletcher appears at photo ops and cashes the checks.”
And even that’s not true: Dave actually cashes the checks. He was always the one who used to carry the checkbooks in a bag when we met our financial advisor.
N
Never change a winning team
You met Daniel Miller at the Bridgehouse 30 years ago. You’ve stayed true to yourself ever since.
Yes, we were incredibly lucky with him. He came up to us after the show and introduced himself: “Hi, I am Daniel.”
The rest is history. Frankly, Daniel Miller is of course much more than just our label boss: he is actually the sixth member of Depeche Mode. Danny was obsessed with his synthesizers, sometimes we joked he would read the manuals in the toilet just for fun.
O
Older and wiser
30 years of Depeche Mode, 30 years of madness: how has life as a band changed?
The older we get, the better our shows get.
Which is due to the healthier lifestyle.
Naturally. Martin has been sober for four, five years now, Dave has been clean for a lot longer. It has to make itself felt somehow.
As a band, is Depeche Mode still hanging out backstage these days?
Martin and I do, Dave doesn’t. After a show, he always drives straight to the hotel, calls his family, is relaxed. he needs this
P
Playing The Angel
Rumor has it that they sent Messrs. Gore/Gahan to the recordings before they were recorded and made it possible for both tracks to contribute to the album.
It was much more mundane than expected: Dave had started writing his own songs, so it was important to him that they be heard. I can understand that very well. And of course Martin too. So we sat down and talked about it. Of course on the premise that Martin was, is and remains the main songwriter of the band.
Q
acknowledgment
There were times in the 90s when you just waited for the press release that would announce the end of Depeche Mode: Gahan spent days and nights in polytoxic spheres, neither the record company nor the fans nor the band knew how things were with him, whether he still lives. Was there never a moment when you thought: “This far and no further!”?
No, there wasn’t. As far as I know, none of us had it. Especially not with Dave: the band was all he had left.
R
rumors
What are the three favorite rumors you’ve heard about Depeche Mode?
Oh, this is very, very difficult. Somehow a lot and yet again nothing at all. Unfortunately I can’t think of anything concrete right now, sorry.
S
songwriting
Was there a song that you would have liked to have contributed?
No, why should I? Hardly any band can refer to such great songwriters as Depeche Mode. In Vince and Martin we had the greatest songwriters to come out of England in the last 30 years.
You used to sing the backing vocals on some songs, after all.
Yes, but in a band where two people can sing so well, you don’t need a third man.
T
Toast Hawaii
But there is an unreleased solo work: Toast Hawaii.
Those were cover versions. Unfortunately there are two copies. I own one, Martin the other. So if at some point the thing ends up on the Internet, only Martin can have uploaded it. But it was all just a big joke.
But with Dave Gahan on drums, Alan Wilder on guitar…
… and Martin on guitars. Yeah, actually it was pretty funny.
You borrowed the name from your favorite dish in the canteen of the Hansa-Studios.
The Toast Hawaii were legendary.
Don’t you want to give it to the world someday?
As an accompaniment to the next Musikexpress perhaps?
As I said, my only concern is that Martin actually owns a pressing of this.
u
Sound of the Universe
Hardly any other tour in music history was bigger. Is it even bigger, more powerful, more massive?
I don’t think so, no. On the other hand: “Sounds of the Stratosphere” sounds pretty impressive.
V
Vincent Clark
Was there a hidden rivalry between you and Vince back in the 80’s?
No, never, not even when he left Depeche Mode. Although we were separated as musicians, we always remained friends. Vince is great. He has just contributed to our new remix album.
W
Alan Wilder
Tell us what happened between you and Wilder, why he left the band?
Nothing so bad that we can’t be friends today. Alan just delivered a remix as did Vince.
X
XXX
Is there a moment in the past 30 years that still gives you goosebumps? Something you’ve never revealed to the press?
Ha, nice try. Next!
Y
30 years
As a band, have you already talked about the big anniversary?
We try not to bring it up or say it out loud. Don’t mention the 30!
A damn long time.
And that’s why it’s good that we started so early.
Z
Zen
With all the madness that’s happened in 30 years, how do you keep your wits about you?
Let me put it this way: We might be a huge band, but we’re not celebrities. We can still go to the pub or the cinema and live pretty normal lives.