26 May 22.
Andrew Fletcher during a live performance in 2011
Photo: Getty Images Entertainment. Jim Dyson. All rights reserved.
How have Depeche Mode changed since the days when the band was an untouchable band for young people, 30 years ago? This questionnaire provides an answer, organised alphabetically and chronologically. On the phone: Andy Fletcher.
+++ This interview is a find from our archive dating back ten years, updated on the occasion of the death of Andrew Fletcher. +++
(Translator’s note: Naturally, due to the translation process, the letters no longer correspond exactly.)
A
Everything changes.
Mr Fletcher, one thing at a time – how have Depeche Mode changed over the last 30 years?
It hasn’t been that long! No, too much has happened since we used to huddle in a van and, after work, shed our clothes to play the music of the future.
Are Depeche Mode still a band – or rather a business?
I like the idea that we’re still a band.
What would the young, 16-year-old Christian Andy say about the man he’s become today?
Frankly, I had no expectations at 16. Actually, I just wanted a secure job. Preferably in a bank.
B
Basildon
What’s it like growing up in Basildon?
Basildon is a new town built after the Second World War. A place for eager workers to sleep. And honestly, it wasn’t all that bad: we had a house, a garden, even a bathroom within our own four walls.
How would you picture the young Fletch?
I was a nerd, good at school, a devout Christian, and keen on cricket and football. I knew Vince from the Boys’ Brigade (Christian military scouts); I met Martin at school when I was 11. Back then, it was fine growing up in Basildon. Sadly, the town is now a place with high unemployment, teenage mums who smoke, and that sort of thing.
C
Composition of Sound
Before Dave Gahan joined the band, you were called Composition of Sound. Would that band have been as successful as Depeche Mode?
Never. Depeche Mode sounds bolder, more mysterious.
D
Germany
How do you explain the love between the synth band and their most loyal followers?
I can’t explain it rationally: is it the Germans’ romantic inclination towards heavy, sometimes dark synth-pop? I’ve no idea! On the other hand, we’ve worked hard to achieve this. Our first gig outside England took place in Hamburg. Also, the Germans really appreciated the fact that we recorded at Hansa Studios.
E
Enjoy the Silence
Every gig, the same old songs: How do you keep yourselves motivated when you’ve been playing the same hits for years?
We take it in our stride. Our shows have almost a musical-like quality, and here too it’s all about putting on a good performance. Night after night.
F
Fans
Hardly any band these days has fans as loyal as Depeche Mode’s.
We have unique fans. E: They’ve got excellent manners. They’re polite, unobtrusive, and know how to behave.
Some have been following you for 30 years.
And they’ve long been part of Depeche Mode – true friends. They were there right from the start. Without these die-hard fans, Depeche Mode wouldn’t be what they are today…
… Are they bigger than the band?
Absolutely!
G
Gahan/Gore
Two hyper-egotistical companions: He’s always been the third man in the band’s hierarchy.
Frankly, it was harder when there were four of us.
How is Mr Gahan getting on these days?
He’s living a very healthy lifestyle. More importantly: he’s doing well. And, as far as I can tell: he’s happy.
H
Hits
In February 1981 – 30 years ago, in fact – the band had their first minor hit: ‘Dreaming of Me’ reached number 57 in the UK charts. Do you remember the day it happened?
I remember very well when I heard the track on the radio: I was at home, I heard the opening chords and couldn’t contain my joy.
However, you didn’t leave your job in the city just yet.
No, I was too scared to do that.
I
The Internet
Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million albums since 1981. But even a band like Depeche Mode suffers from piracy in the digital age.
Don’t get me wrong, but: the internet is brilliant for Depeche Mode. Our fans can exchange ideas, organise themselves and create something unique – something that would never have been possible before.
J
Just Can’t Get Enough
Mr Fletcher, how much longer?
We have a bit of a laugh about it ourselves – and have done for a long time. Obviously, we hope we won’t be on stage for as long as the Stones. I admire the Stones for everything they’ve achieved. However, I hope we’ll bow out sooner.
K
Kick-off
The first gig – what do you remember?
It was in May 1980. I remember Dave nearly shit his trousers. He was absolutely terrified. It was easier for Martin because he was playing in both bands performing that evening.
How long did the first gig last?
About 40 minutes.
How many people were in the audience?
About 100.
And did you actually get drunk after that?
We’d already done that. Otherwise, we’d never have turned up.
L
The Legacy
What would you like to read in the 2100 dictionary of popular music under the entry ‘Depeche Mode’?
Thank God, I won’t have to worry about that anymore – after all, I’ll already be dead. That’s why I’m not interested.
M
The Manager
A journalist once remarked: “The division of labour within Depeche Mode has long been defined as follows: Martin Gore writes the songs, Dave Gahan sings them and Andy Fletcher attends photo shoots and cashes the cheques.”
And that isn’t true either: in reality, it was Dave who cashed the cheques. He was always the one carrying the cheques in a bag when we went to meet our financial adviser.
N
Never change a winning team
You met Daniel Miller at Bridgehouse 30 years ago. Since then, you’ve remained loyal to one another.
Yes, we’ve been incredibly lucky with him. He came up to us after the gig and introduced himself: ‘Hi, I’m Daniel.’
The rest is history. Frankly, Daniel Miller is much more than just our label manager: he’s actually the sixth member of Depeche Mode. Danny was obsessed with his synthesisers; we used to joke that he’d read the manuals in the loo 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 become.
That’s down to a healthier lifestyle.
Certainly. Martin’s been sober for four or five years now, Dave’s been clean for much longer. That must have some effect.
Are Depeche Mode still a band behind the scenes today?
Martin and I are, but Dave isn’t. After a gig, he always goes straight back to the hotel, calls his family and relaxes. He needs that.
P
Playing The Angel
It’s said that, before recording began, you managed to placate Messrs Gore and Gahan, thereby making it possible for both of them to contribute to the tracks on the album.
It was much more straightforward than people thought. Dave had started writing songs on his own, so it was important to him that these were heard. I understand that very well. And so does Martin, of course. So we sat down and talked it through. Naturally, on the understanding that Martin was, is and remains the band’s main songwriter.
Q
Calling it a day
In the nineties, there were times when people were waiting for the press release announcing the end of Depeche Mode: Gahan was spending days and nights in a world of substance abuse, and neither the record label, nor the fans, nor the band knew how he was, or even if he was still alive. Was there ever a moment when you thought: “Right, this is as far as it goes, but no further!”?
No, there wasn’t. As far as I know, none of us ever felt that way. Especially not Dave: the band was all he had left.
R
Rumours
What are your three favourite rumours about Depeche Mode?
Oh, that’s very, very difficult. In a way, there are many and none at the same time. Unfortunately, nothing specific comes to mind – sorry.
S
Songwriting
Is there a song you’d have liked to have contributed to?
No, why would I? Very few bands can boast such extraordinary songwriters as Depeche Mode. With Vince and Martin, we’ve had the greatest songwriters to emerge from England in the last 30 years.
In the past, you used to sing along as a backing vocalist on some songs.
Yes, but in a band where two people can sing that well, you don’t need a third person.
T
Toast Hawaii
There is, however, an unreleased solo project: Toast Hawaii.
Those were covers. Unfortunately, there are only two copies. I have one, and Martin has the other. So, if it ever ends up on the internet, only Martin could have uploaded it. But: it was all just a joke.
But with Dave Gahan on drums, Alan Wilder on guitar…
…and Martin on guitars. Yes, it was actually quite fun.
He borrowed the name from his favourite dish in the Hansa Studios canteen.
Toast Hawaii were legendary.
Don’t you want to share it with the world, sooner or later?
As a supplement to the next issue of Music Express, perhaps?
As I said: My only concern is that Martin actually owns a copy of it.
U
Sound of the Universe
Hardly any other tour in the history of music has been bigger. Could it be even bigger, more impressive, more massive?
I don’t think so, no. On the other hand: ‘Sounds of the Stratosphere’ does sound really impressive.
V.
Vince Clark
Was there really a hidden rivalry between you and Vince in the 1980s?
No, never, not even when he left Depeche Mode. Although we went our separate ways as musicians, we’ve always remained friends. Vince is great. He’s just contributed to our new remix album.
W
Alan Wilder
Tell us what happened between you and Wilder – why did he leave the band?
Nothing so serious that we couldn’t be friends today. Alan, like Vince, has just done a remix for us.
X
XXX
Is there a moment from the last 30 years that still gives you goosebumps? Something you’ve never told the press?
Ha, nice try. Next!
Y
30 years
Have you talked about this big anniversary as a band?
We try not to talk about it or mention the number. “Don’t mention the 30th!”
Quite a long time.
And that’s why it’s a good thing we started so early.
Z
Zen
Given all the madness that’s happened over the last 30 years, how do you keep a level head?
Let me put it this way: we may be a huge band, but we’re not celebrities. We can still go to the pub or the cinema and lead a fairly normal life.
Jörg Harlan Rohleder writes for MUSIKEXPRESS. Further articles and the author’s profile are available here.
Link to the original article: https://www.musikexpress.de/andrew-fletcher-der-dritte-mann-158563/
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