From No1. May 25 1985.
PRIVATE LIVES THE DEPECHE MODE STORY
An exlusive story by Max Bell
Photos John Stoddart Part 4
ALAN WILDER
THE BAND BOY
Alan Wilder is the musician in Depeche Mode. Ironically, that
counted against him when he joined, as the others still wanted to prove they could get
along without Vince Clarke. In the last of our interviews, Alan talks about his struggle
to fit into the Mode, and the way the group balance pop stardom with anonymity.
"Unlike the others who are from Basildon or Bas as they call it
Im from Acton, West London and was brought up in a fairly normal middle class
environment.
I went to St Clement Danes Grammar in Hammersmith, a good school but I
wasnt interested in being a student. I got three O-levels in arty subjects.
I liked music and languages and I was forced to have piano lessons and do grades. That
has been useful because I suppose you could say Im the musician in the band
even though musical training isnt the most important thing to Depeche Mode.
Its just and added advantage.
Ive got two elder brothers who are both classicaly trained. One is and
accompanist who works with singers; hes excellent. The other is teaching in Finland.
I left school during the sixth form and went on the dole until my parents pushed me
into writing off to recording studios, the only thing Id expressed any interest in.
After being turned down 40 times I got a job at DJM studios in New Oxford Street. I was
a tea boy really, an over-worked gofer, but I did meet the rubettes once. Wow!
The only good thing about DJM was that when band finished studio sessions theyd
often leave their instruments behind so I could muck about on a keyboard or bash some
drums.
It was an ambition to be a musician but not one I thought would come true until a band
called The Dragons came in. We became friendly, I ended up joining them and moved to
Bristol.
That was a pre-punk, soft rock group, nothing special, but I did gigs and we made a
single. I cant even remember what it was called.
After two years in Bristol, life got too lethargic so I was glad when a friend dragged
me home to join a band called Daphne And The Tenderspots. My god, this is raking up some
history. That was a restaurant type group playing jazz blues until it was decided that New
Wave was happening.
We had all these terrible clothes made and wore skinny ties. We were awful but again we
had a deal and made a single, Disco Hell. I shouldt be telling you this!
After various other bands like The Hit Men, I was in my customary state broke,
bored and leafing through the classifieds in the Maker. I saw an ad which said "Known
Band seeks synth player. Must be under 21". I applied for the audition but I had to
lie because I was 22.
I went to two auditions before landing the job. Most of the people theyd had were
either no-hopers or fans whod learnt the hits off by heart, which they didnt
want.
Actually, I had mixed feelings about Depeche. I was aware of Just Cant Get
Enough and New Life, the two hits before Vince left, but I thought they
were a bit wimpy understable at the time.
On the other hand they were charming and friendly and the music was simple. I could
appreciate that. I did think it would be better if they had more bollocks but I was
careful not to tell them that. I just said, I think youre OK.
I was taken on in Depeche on a trial basis. They were quite shocked to have lost Vince
so quickly, he was after all the main songwriter. My function was to do live work and TV
appereances but not to be on any records for six months.
This was in 1982. When the second LP came to be made, Id done my final bit and
thought I warranted involvement. I had something to contribute. Still they said no.
The problem was that they had something to prove to themselves. The three of them
didnt want the press to say theyd just roped in a musician to make things
easier after Vince left.
I was pretty upset and there was ill feeling from me about that. It worked itself out.
Out lifestyle is so busy that it revolves almost totally around the group. I enjoy
photography as a hobby and Ive got a video camera I use on tour to document what we
do. Its fun to see yourself in a different light.
I dont feel like a pop star although Im aware of certain pressures on the
road. We are pop stars by definition, but god knows what that means.
Studio work interests me more than live appearances, which are basically louder
reproductions of records. We arent an improvising band.
Dave comes into his own with a crowd because hes learnt how to develop an act. He
does it well, especially on a good night. Hes also very tongue-in-cheek, he sends up
the way a rock star is supposed to behave. In earlydays we just stood in a line and
played.
When I listen to Vinces songs I realise he based them on blues and classic heavy
metal rifts. We do nick little bits from pop styles, from girl groups and surf music.
It isnt as political as some people make out, nor are we solely interested in
electronic music. I like German bands D.A.F., Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream but
Im not keen on the Howard Jones approach where everyhing sounds very nice but too
easy and familiar.
With a Depeche Mode song the first thing we decide is atmosphere. After that we might
add sampled sounds. They could be anything. Pebbles in a can or industrial noises using
oil cans, skips, concrete...
All the technology we use is computer based but our interest is in what you can do with
that, not how it works. Theres no reason to be scared of tehcnology for musical
sterility but thats rubbish. It comes down to ideas.
We record in Hansa, West Berlin, because its ideal for what we need. Its
become more popular since weve been there. It used to be an empty four-storey block
of studios now Killing Joke use it and David Sylvian.
Everything is computerised, which is what weve come to rely on. Theres a
good working atmosphere in the city. Martin lives nearby in Heerstrasse.
Theres plenty to do in Berlin. When you finish working at 4.00 a.m. you never
feel like going to bed and so you end up in a bar or a club. DNC is a favourite,
theres a couple of good gay clubs, Corelles is alright, the Jungle...
We dont get bothered when we go out in Berlin or anywhere else
particulary. We are still quite faceless band. I think thats fairly healthy."
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