Depeche Mode Name: What Does Depeche Mode Mean? How Did ...

Depeche Mode performing 'Higher Love' live in 1993

Depeche Mode first formed in Basildon in 1977, when school friends Vince Clarke and Andy Fletcher formed a band. There were a couple of names which were discussed before the full line up was established in 1980, and before ultimately Depeche Mode was picked.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

• One Direction: Louis Tomlinson ‘didn’t want’ the band to split in 2015
• James Bond hopeful Regé-Jean Page might dodge 007 for DC superhero

What does Depeche Mode mean?

Depeche Mode is a French term, though the exact meaning of it is harder to pin down.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Technically, the translation would be ‘fashion dispatch,’ but some have altered this to make it more applicable to English-speaking.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Another way of translating the words is as ‘fast fashion,’ which is a concept surrounding the ever-changing trends in fashion as well as the business model which sees clothing mass-produced at low cost.

READ MORE:  Jimmy Page home: Where does Jimmy Page live?

Depeche Mode - how did they get their name? (Image: Getty)

• Freddie Mercury royalties: Who earns Freddie's Queen royalties?

How did Depeche Mode get its name?

Depeche Mode was first formed in 1977 by schoolmates Vince Clarke and Andy Fletcher.

At this point, the band was called No Romance in China and was said to be influenced by The Cure.

In 1979, Vince began playing guitar with The Plan, another local band, this time with Robert Marlow and Paul Langwith.

The original line-up of Depeche Mode (Image: Getty)

Martin Gore, another founder of the group, was playing guitar in an acoustic duo with his friend Phil Burdett, called Norman and the Worms.

The line-ups of these bands switched once more, with Robert and Martin teaming up in a band called French Look, along with their friend Paul Redmond.

In March 1980, Vince and Andy’s band moved once again and became Composition of Sound, this time being influenced by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

They were later joined by Martin and Dave Gahan in 1980, which finished the line-up of Depeche Mode, which was thus named.

DON'T MISSAvengers film order: Iron Man to Endgame - movie series chronology [EXPLAINER]Tom Jones Elvis Presley: When did Sir Tom meet The King Elvis Presley? [INSIGHT]Elvis Presley UK: Why did Elvis never perform in England? [ANALYSIS]

Depeche Mode with Alan Wilder replacing Vincent Clarke (Image: Getty)

• Elton John age: How old is Sir Elton John?

According to Martin, the name came from Dave, who had been using a magazine of the same name in his work.

He told No.1 magazine: “The name Depeche Mode came from Dave much later.

"He was doing fashion design and window display and used the magazine Depeche Mode as reference.

“It means hurried fashion or fashion dispatch. I like the sound of that.”

Depeche Mode as a three-piece (Image: Getty) Love Glastonbury? From tickets to headliners, sign up for latest updates from Worthy Farm Subscribe Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Get More of Our News on Google

Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

He had previously been performing in French Look, as well, which seems to link well with the name the band settled on.

Martin spoke of how the band changed him, and how he went from saving up to write songs to doing something commercially viable.

He said: “I was still writing songs and saved up enough money to buy a Yamaha 5 synthesiser. It cost £200...

“The further we got into the pop world the more I changed. It was like a Before and After advert. Before, I was quiet, introverted, conscientious.

“I was a long-haired hippy-like everyone else. Afterwards, I realised I could do something other people might like.”

The first time the band played as Depeche Mode was at a school gig in May 1980, at James Hornsby School in Basildon, where a plaque commemorating the gig still remains.

Their first single, Dreaming of Me, was recorded in December 1980 and released in February 1981, reaching number 57 in the UK charts.

Their second single New Life went to Number 11 and secured them a spot on Top of the Pops.

After Just Can’t Get Enough, their next single, they released their debut album, Speak & Spell, in October 1981, having got a Top 10 single.

At this point, Vince left the band and was replaced by Alan Wilder, in a line-up which remained set until 1995, at which point Alan left and the remaining members have continued as a trio.

How to Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments Most Read Most Commented Latest videos Trump explodes at 'terrible' Starmer in furious rant - 'We spend a lot of money on you!' 'Masterpiece' war movie with 'many disturbing moments' leaving Netflix 'Masterpiece' Netflix series racks up 10million views one week after release 'Modern-day masterpiece' adaptation streaming free as new Ryan Gosling film releases Outlander fans elated as Sam Heughan unveils Jamie Fraser documentary Brian May performs Queen hits in surprise live concert appearance KoRn confirm first tour in over a decade with tickets and presale this week Last-minute ABBA Voyage tickets for Mother's Day Staggering amount of time Brits lose queuing for concert tickets every year revealed The Pussycat Dolls return: Arena tour, tickets, new album, everything you need to know Alice Cooper announces autobiography with book tour - how to buy tickets Beatlemania: The Fab Four Conquer the World The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr launches new single ahead of latest album Laufey review: Jazz-infused star delivers storybook magic Harry Styles Netflix reviews call show 'special' and 'perfect' Brian May unveils Queen ‘dream come true’ that’s 50 years in the making Harry Styles album reviews has critics call it 'delightfully strange' and 'freaky' Sex Pistols return with new tour and former frontman comeback Science says this Venezuelan song can help your rum to taste better - here's why Paul McCartney named his favourite song – and it isn’t one of The Beatles best known hits Elvis 1977 final shows ‘horrifying to watch’ confessed ex Linda Thompson Elvis Presley’s wild Las Vegas years: From hair dye on walls to moment it all went wrong Paul McCartney’s Beatles bombshell in secretly recorded private chat with John Lennon Young people's enthusiasm for live music contrasts with declining school music education The Beatles: Paul McCartney and John Lennon estate celebrate George Harrison birthday Spiritbox tickets for first arena tour out now with presale access Morrissey’s love of Elvis: Watch his You’ll Be Gone live Graceland performance

Daily Express uses notifications to keep you updated

Keep me updated No thanks