Depeche Mode FAQ

Wow, Michael Christopher has created an encyclopedia on Depeche Mode. I already bought two copies as gifts. MC recounts and explores the nuances of the band’s life from the very beginning until the present with an unmatched obsessive passion for the "story." You don’t have to be a fan of Depeche Mode to enjoy this book. As a musician with 20 years of playing in a band, it made me reminisce about all of the ups & downs of creating music. Could I remember who came up with the “jazzy bridge” in the middle of that hard-driving rock song? Or who had the biggest personal issues? Or where I came up with the lyrics for that song and why? Or how that crazy sound engineer helped define our sound & keep us together in the studio? This book has it all. Interviews with fans. Explaining who was the first to remix their songs. Listing the covers by other bands. “Track Facts.” Breaking down each record and the surrounding drama. The press. The media. I never knew books like this existed, but I’m glad I do now!

Depeche Mode have been my absolute favorite band since I first discovered them, like many people, with Violator in 1990. I’ve read all the books on the band and, while ‘Monument’ remains my favorite because of its sheer exhaustiveness and intensive look at memorabilia, this is easily my favorite one which focuses primarily on the story of the group. There is so, so much information in here that Christopher has dug up! The inspiration and history behind each song on the Depeche Mode albums, the movies and television shows in which they appeared, whether they’ve been played live or not – there’s a ton of information to sift through, but never will you feel overloaded. You also get a real sense of what drives the individual members of the band and how they've managed to stay together for so long. I highly, highly recommend this book to longtime fans or those who are just beginning to discover the greatness that is Depeche Mode!!!!

During the 80s and 90s I was busy raising four children. I always loved the music of Depeche Mode, but really didn't have time to find out about the band and its members. I have continued to enjoy their music over the years and I am pleased to note that one of my daughters is an avid fan of the band, too. This book offers detailed information on all the trials and tribulations they went through as a band and individually. I appreciate Depeche Mode all the more now, knowing that the darkness was real. Without darkness, there would be no light, and I hope they continue to embrace the light. Kudos to Michael Christopher for writing such an insightful book.

As a passionate Devotee, I eagerly awaited a new book on Depeche Mode, as I have purchased and read every book on the band that I can get my hands on. Unfortunately, my eagerness was quickly dampened within the first few pages of reading. On page 5, the author claims that Martin Gore sang the lead vocals on the song “Photographic.” There is no shred of evidence for this. Vince Clarke sang the original demo for the song, and Dave Gahan sang on the second demo, including the subsequent recording of the song. When confronted with this discrepancy on social media, the author blamed Vince Clark for giving him that information. Later in the book, the author claims that Gahan sang the verse, “understand me,” in “Shake the Disease.” Even though Gore sings the verse in every single video and live performance of the song, and Gahan’s vocal range does not go that high, the author claims this information was given to him by someone who was at the studio at the time of the recording. The author also claims that the film “101” was in black and white. It’s not. There are numerous other inconsistencies that indicate that the author did not dig deep enough with his research. The history of Depeche Mode has been thoroughly covered by numerous other books, videos, and articles. This book adds nothing new for Devotees that hasn’t already been said, besides a couple of interviews with Devotees. If you are interested in Devotee’s stories, I recommend watching the documentary, “Spirits in the Forest,” or joining a fan group on social media. If you are interested in reading about the band's history, I recommend these books instead: “Stripped: Depeche Mode” by Jonathan Miller and “Depeche Mode: Monument” by Dennis Burmeister and Sascha Lange.

I would highly recommend any fan of music to read this book. Whether you are already knowledgeable about the band, or a relative novice (like myself), reading this book was an experience. It will take you from the history of the band, to the insight into album covers, to an insight background of each song, their tours, all the way to the famous covers of Depeche Mode songs. There is literally something for every reader. This was a band that was a part of my childhood, and discovering their journey through this books has given me an all new appreciation for the band.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book! There’s new facts gleaned I didn’t know about the band. For instance, I didn’t realize the the film “101” was the inspiration for MTV’s “The Real World”. That shows what true pioneers Depeche Mode were even when they weren’t trying!! I feel the book is well written, researched and truly worth the read. It kept me interested...pretty much a page turner especially if you’re a true Depeche Mode fan!!

Band books are a dime a dozen but this one stands out. The author's love of the band shines but it doesn't cloud his telling of the band's story, warts and all. I learned lots of new things about DM from this book. Highly recommended to old-time fans and newbies alike.

Enjoyed it start to finish. Thought I knew all there was to know about the world’s finest synth-pop band, but I was mistaken. More mind strong after this read.

I've been a fan for 35+ years, but I still learnt new things from this book. Love how the book also breaks down each album too, and each song on the album. I can now tell why it took about 4 years to compile. The lay out of the book also means you don't have to read it end to end. You can pick it up flip to a page, and just read that sections. Love it.

The worst of all books about Depeche Mode I’ve read. Errors sur basic facts that every fans knows! And so lazy editing that there’s two different years cited for the same album!

This book is decent and a lot of work has gone in to it so credit to the author for that. It is clearly not "official" and don't expect any quotes directly to the author from band members but it is worth reading. There are some good facts that I didn't realise (I've been a fan since 1983) but also a couple of things that aren't quite right which is annoying but forgiveable. As I say, the author has done a lot of research for the book and whilst not as exhaustive as the title makes out, a decent addition to any DM collectors' shelf.

Bought as a birthday gift later in the year for a Synth fan and Radio presenter of a Synthwave show on local radio.