that boy's got the clap.

A man of taste.

Nah…he says it himself…’right there…that’s Depeche Mode’ and right there was Martin Gore. I’m not saying he’s right or wrong about that. Just that he says it and that’s his position. He is right though 😂. Love Alan. He’s a professional and an artist. Love Dave. Great voice, great performer. Great front man. But Martin for good or bad is Depeche Mode. And fletch? Well he turns up I guess.

@@alecskinner8807 Martin Gore is the man when it comes to songwriting but Alan gave them they're signature style/sound Listen to Martin's demo of Walking In My Shoes then the finished version and you'll see how important Wilder was to the end result

​@@drexlspivey5828Am I the only one who likes the demo version as well? ...Ok.

He certainly plays live. Not particularly complicated stuff, but he does play. You're not necessarily wrong about the rest though...

@@GastonJacques according to the band and crew he doesn't anymore, which I quite believe as he never looks at the keys, even an extremely proficient player like Alan Wilder had to look at the keys all the time

​@@drexlspivey5828 I'm 100 % he plays at least as late as the Delta Machine tour, there are videos of him messing up or when his keyboard cuts out. His voice microphone was always turned off though, at least since the very early days of the band.

and he's STILL their financial advisor?

@@rossknowles5608 this is the thing, Depeche Mode isn't just a band, it's a multi million pound business, and apparently he's quite good at his role, even if he does zero musically

And specifically Martin Gore.

Agree

How? (Genuine question, I don't know anything about them)

@@batlin There came a point in their careers when the excess and pressures (which Fletch wasnt immune to) from extensive touring for nearly 3 years straight left the band near total collapse, Alan Wilder had left in 95. It was Andy who got them playing together again, encouraging them to get back into the studio and whilst it being a running joke, he was literally the manager of the band too, sorting out the finances during tumultuous period.

Thanks for that!

I don’t think Ringo is a fair comparison because his songwriting was pretty good and his drumming style is what moved the Beatles forward granted that they had a few drummers before him. The Beatles had 4 extremely talented musicians who were crucial towards each other. Shame that Ringo and George’s songwriting didn’t get to shine as much due to having well Lennon-Mccartney center stage. As far as Fletch goes, i’ve heard he’s more of the business manager which is equally important for a band to have because it prevents a band from getting screwed over financially. Even the Beatles as amazing musicians as they are, ended up getting screwed over by the the industry because none of them understood the financial side after Epstein’s passing. Even McCartney has stated that they never read contracts and fully trusted Epstein to manage and advise everything finance related. Without Fletch, Depeche Mode probably would have finished in the 90s. I still am curious as to what Fletch contributes musically/creatively towards the band.

Ok I'm 8 minutes in and I have yet to hear him say anything like "because you're the least talented in the band, you should be discouraged from contributing at all"

Aaand my suspicion was confirmed, he never said or suggested that. So did you just respond publicly to your own thought?

@@FifatlasHD Is this your first time seeing a comment mate?

@@TPJH850 Yea "mate" you got me, this is the very first video I've ever watched. What great intuition you have "mate". He made a daft statement that isn't even in response to anything in the video, and I responded accordingly. Is that a new concept to you? Is this YOUR first comment section?

Also, from what he's said wasn't Limmy the 'Fletch' of the web deveolpment co he owned with Donny? Just a little dafty mascot to have around for a laugh?

Vince Clarke wrote nearly all of the first album. I think Martin wrote just one song for Speak and Spell. After he left, Martin took control of song writing duties.

If _dark 80s New Wave synth-pop_ is something you think you'd be into at all, they ARE fuckin' awesome. Dave Gahan has a great voice.

Just stick to 1984 to 1993. Anything before or past that, is not worth bothering listening too. If want to go past 1993, then just stick to the singles. The albums after 1993, aren't great after that period.

Ultra is genuinely great

Nothing ages well. When people say something's aged well, they're just being diplomatic.

No he doesn’t, he literally says “I don’t care if he founded the band”

Plus Vince's songs were crap

Wilder left BECAUSE of Fletch

wilder left Because of fletch

Don't worry, it's been sorted now

@@AD-23 😬😬😬

Wasn't just Fletch but that was a small part of it. Wilder/producers was doing most of the work, when it came to making the songs. Martin wrote the bare bones of the songs but Alan did all of the work. The 'sound' of Depeche Mode. Listen to Martin's demos and you'll understand what I mean. Also, watch behind the scenes of making of Black Celebration. Martin, Dave and Fletch went off on holiday during the making of that album. While Wilder and Daniel Miller were stuck trying to finish the thing! The fights between Martin and Wilder during SOFAD and Violator didn't help either. The 1994 Exotic Tour was the final straw. Martin was drunk most night on stage, Dave was full blown heroin addict and missing shows. Fletch left at the being of that tour due to having a nervous breakdown. He lost his restaurant business. Had to file for bankruptcy.

Hope he’s happy now

His dislike of Fletch is one of his main topics, there are multiple videos.

i’m sorry, does Fletch have 2 Scottish BAFTAS?

Tour the world and make millions to clap next to an unplugged keyboard? I'm jealous too