BOOK REVIEW: Simon Spence - Vince

Depeche Mode, or as John Peel would announce Depechey Mode, came across as this smooth, clean, dapper pop group churning out hit after after of innocent pop perfection, a staple fixture of the record charts since the early 80’s; New Life, Just Cant Get Enough, Strange Love, Enjoy The Silence and Personal Jesus touch the surface of their stunningly prolific output.

Their background story however is one you might not expect as told expertly by Simon Spence in his originally published 2011 book now simply entitled Vince. Yes, it is well known the original band members; Vince Clarke, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher and Dave Gahan all hailed from the experimental ‘New Town’ of Basildon in the late 70s, but what might not be known is the quartets upbringing to a background of Church attendance and strictly no adverse music upbringings might not be the debauchery beginnings some might expect.

There are plenty of interesting insights into the band members upbringing, personal influences and musical directions from those that knew and loved Depeche Mode before Mute eventually signed them and took them onto worldwide success. Included in the story tellers are Alison Moyet, who would go onto team up with Clarke on his departure from Depeche Mode, which came as a shock not only to the band but also the music press, probably mainly due to the Clarke writing the hit smash and constant upbeat pop anthem I Just Cant Get Enough.

It might also come as a surprise that there was no real plan to take over the planet as one of the worlds most recognizable names and bands, their rise to success came somewhat fortuitously with Dave Gahan not being the innocent bouncing frontman he first looked to be, standing still on stage, the frontman had to take dancing lessons to learn how to do his best wiggle on stage, the eventual stages the band graced including the Rose Bowl and Top Of The Pops were a world away from the dark and dingy clubs of Basildon where the band members graced in different musical incarnations.

The way Spence tells the whole story is deeply engrossing and makes you want to keep dipping in for more, his engaging mix of his own facts along with friends and associates of the band makes the book the perfect blend, there’s not a moment to divert your eyes until some new information comes to light.

The book doesn’t diminish the prowess or power of the bands musical stay on the heart and ears of the fans, it merely sheds interesting lights on the band as a band of the people without shedding Blasphemous Rumours. A Fascinating dip into the world of Basildon like never seen before.

Vince can be purchased via the following link