Depeche Mode - Just What Exactly Does Fletch Do ?
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- Andrew Fletcher's role in Depeche Mode has often been misunderstood and sometimes undervalued. In this video, we discuss Fletch's role within the band and also look at some of the keyboard parts which he plays in the live performances.
- Hudba
Fletch was sooo friendly to the audience. I saw them when I was a kid and Fletch copied my dance moves then pointed at me, I altered the dance then pointed to him. This went on for a good portion of the show. At the end he yelled for me to come to the stage I went up to it and he said this is for you! Gave me the drum stick and shook my hand. I still have the drum stick and other times met the band. They were a big influence on me loving electronic music and are the sound track of my life. I shall treasure the memories and the work of this band. Thank you Fletch you will be missed. Rest In Peace
you have so good memenories- angels dies earlier
my little son loves depeche mode and imitates dave,s gahan singing czcams.com/video/QG-GJhQ7SDU/video.html
What drum stick? Sure you're thinking of the right band her?
AMAZING STORY my DM friend.Thank you for sharing it.I also always adored the way Fletchy would do silly little dances while performing...especially when playing “Tora Tora Tora” in the old school live videos.
Man i guess he was the REAL DEAL to interact with you in such a cosmically beautiful and profound way.🤘😎💫
yes he was using it for midi triggers
@@VTiDelSol
RIP Fletch. He may not have played the most leading role on the outside, but he was essential for the chemistry of the band. I can’t picture DM without him. Hope they have keyboards in Heaven.
So he can stand next to them and not play them?
@@Alex-kh3dv bruh
Cosa cavolo scrivete
I hope they have a cozy pub with great beer, too.
So essential for the chemistry of the band that Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder quit while he was around.
You will be missed , Fletch.
You will always be the heartbeat of Depeche Mode.
I met Fletch 37 yrs ago when he was having his hair cut in London. He was lovely and spent time talking to me even though I was a nervous wreck. He made me so happy and I was so pleased to have met him.
Bob Can thanks for sharing 👍😎V
Congratulations. So what?
@@sobrevalorado Moron.
Wow, what a lucky guy! Nice :)
@@Sarasapien He was a true gentleman. x
They did a 7 hour Depeche Mode special on danish radio a couple of years ago. One of the people they talked to was a recording engineer from the Music for the Masses and Violator sessions. He had some great stories to tell, but one of my favourites was about Fletch. While recording Violator at Puk Studios in Denmark (which is located far out in the middle of nowhere, so recording artists stay there - effectively it kind of doubles as a hotel) Alan was obviously in the studio basically all the time, Martin would spend half the time playing computer games and the other half writing and recording. Dave would mostly hide in his room practicing his guitar skills, just turning up to record some vocals when required. But the band and producers kind of agreed (just for the fun of it) to make sure Fletch didn't actually end up playing anything at all on the album, so whenever he came round the studio the others would just pretend like nothing much going on.
Even so, he did end up having an impact on the album. DM certainly had ambitions for the album. One of the goals was to make sure that they never used a sound or a beat, that was somehow recognisable. If anyone heard anything like that, they had to scrap it. For one of the tracks, they had spent several days recording and mixing a big arrangement and they were finally really content with the result - until Fletch came by the studio to have a little listen to what they were up to. He heard the song and immediately blurted out something like "awesome, and that part has kind of a Beatles vibe to it". And so, following their own rules, Alan decides to scrap it entirely and start over.
Brilliant story there!! Thank you for sharing !! V;-)
lol that’s hilarious thank you for sharing
Yes, poor Fletch, most probably he pointed them out to the right direction..
This story was incredible and a blast to read.Thank you for putting SO much time and effort in your comment just to share that with complete strangers like myself.Rock on mate 🤘😎💫🎶🇬🇧
Dave Gahan once described his friendship with the other two members like that: Martin and me are like different pages in the same book. Andrew and me are different pages, too. But not even in the same book.
OMG, I feel bad for laughing at this lol
Lol! I remember reading some interesting DM memories on Alan's site. Seems Dave was good friends with Alan.
In a 1997 interview, (post rehab), Dave said, "I wear Martin's feelings on my sleeve... and they fit..."
Rest in peace, Fletch. Rest in peace. You were the heart of the band for so long. Keeping you three together.
I can't understand the cynicism about Fletch's part. He might not be a live keyboard wizard like Herbie Hancock or Howard Jones, but then again he doesn't pretend to be. He's a humble, very intelligent man who doesn't like to be and doesn't need to be in the spotlight. His role is behind the scenes, and he keeps the band together and does a lot of the organizational stuff - without him, the whole construct wouldn't be running for a long time anymore. To me, it would be enough if he turned up to say hello during a concert, I would be happy with that.
A little respect for a man being in the business since ages and played in front of millions of people wouldn't hurt.
Interesting video btw, more of that, please.
well said my friend and I am sure that the vast majority of fans agree with you. No one really hates fletch but its an interesting conversation topic!! Thank you for your interest in the channel !! V :-)
The first few lines of Now This Is Fun sum up Fletch's role.⚒⛓📢👑🌹💡⚜✋🔺
I have nothing against him, great guy I'm sure. It's just that Alan was super disrespected and I feel that was wrong. I've got nothing against Andy. I met him once, very sweet guy. Just bring Alan back that's all.
@@@VaughnGeorge Make sure you stay politically correct. You wouldn't want to have the balls to actually own an opinion on anything.
King Trance omg. Wtf? Politically correct? Are you saying that someone has to have a wild opinion on everything? Maybe someone is MODERATE, let them be so.
You forgot something very important of Fletcher’s performances: HIS LIVE CLAPPING!! 😂😂😂
I recon I could dedicate an entire video to "The Fletch Killer Clap!!" V :-)
@@VaughnGeorge He had a lot of energy and entusiasm on stage until "Music for the Masses Tour". Was dancing and clapping a lot and seemed to have fun.When you take a look at "Devotional" he is barely moving and looks depressed...
@@ash23neuro
That's because he was.
@@rubaidaallen2764 I know he was. I read about it in "Stripped" by Jonathan Miller. After "Music for the masses" they changed they modus operandi during album recordings and his role was marginalized.
ohhh yesss
Fletch is perfectly fine standing on stage, pretending he's doing something. Leave him alone =D
LOL!!! v:-)
Moving in time to the beat was also something he tried to imitate. No offence Fletch 🙏
I've always gotten the impression that Martin and Dave have remained fiercely loyal to fletch because he's been around since the beginning of dm and will always let him hang around and tour with them as long as he wants whether he actually does anything or not.
I think it's more Martin. I suspect that David wants Alan to rejoin the band or at least hopes that will happen.
Rubaida Allen I think you're absolutely right. Alan is a genius...
Thomas Gary agreed with that yep!!V 😎👍
Not only do I agree with you @Thomas... I applaud Martin and Dave for it. There is something to be said for loyalty.
Let's not forget that Fletcher is Gore's best friend. They know each other since they were kids.
RIP Fletch, we love you man. You were my formative drummer, and I'll try to keep that energy up. Love you, brother.
I love listening to those sounds even in their bare form, I am no musician but I would say that Fletch is the rhythm section of the band, I bloody love Depeche Mode, 40 years of music and still going strong, no other band in the world can claim that longevity.
Amen to that brother !! V :-)
This is the man that arranged the bass lines and during live work, makes sure everything is in order. Programing wise. (sound effect and sampled sounds) As for Mr Wilder. I too miss him. He was their "Orchestra". It has been years now since his departure but the band is still going on. I'm happy. My point is. They are still with us and for that, I too will clap my hands. Best wishes to all D.M. devotes
By the way MarkoBricksUk. U2! Same line up. Have a great day.
Pet Shop Boys.
Rush beat that. Still ahead even though the great Neil Peart is no longer with us.
I also remember a documentary where Dave talked about the Alan´s audition to join Depeche Mode. They tried to kill him making him play both Vince and Martin´s parts at the same time to make him fail, and Alan played the whole thing including some bass parts (Fletch parts) very easily.
Jorge Andrés Arango damn for real? Brutal. It would have been funny and ironic that he failed to play fletchs part properly and was denied a call back. The nerve of Fletch. Haha.
Do you have that link my friend?
@@Mauri3600 Either Martin or Dave has joked that if Alan could have an erect penis on stage he could play with that too..
edit: spelling bees as cees
Trekking S It’s I think in the Broken Frame re-masters vid? When they released the re-masters they also had additional singles and a video about each album. They mentioned that none of them were classically trained so they tried to foul him up and get him to play both bass and melody with both hands since it was “difficult” for everyone else in the band to do so. Of course Alan did it easily. Hell, it may have even been Alan saying that. Can’t recall but it was one of the re-master vids. I’d start with Broken Frame. Pretty sure that one (not all of them) is on CZcams.
czcams.com/video/v17Fh-R4JPs/video.html here is the interview where they talk about the audition :)
Fletch was one of the true founding members of DM- he was there with Vince Clarke, before Martin and Dave were even on board. He will always be missed. I wish I could have gone to see the band on their last tour when Fletch was still there.
Fletcher in 2013: "Within the band, I contribute the element of pop. Martin L. Gore, who writes most of the songs, loves American blues and country. And Dave has discovered jazz for himself. I, however, will probably eternally feel loyal to the simple pop melodies and the lightness they stand for."
Several years ago Fletch was in my city as a dj. It was in a kind of night club, not many people, and I had to admit his dj skills were poor, but I really enjoyed that performance, the music he chose, the energy he made and even how humble he was.
Ольга Вертинская thank you for sharing your story with us!!😎V👍
Fletch is Martins best friend. That's why he's in the band.
I think you nailed it! 😁
That's why Fletch is in the band, but it is also why Martin originally joined the band. Fletch gets to stay because Martin and Dave are grateful to Fletch for helping Vince assemble the band in the first place.
I thought vince was fletchs best mate.
@@glennoc8585 It's hard to know without having been there personally at the time, and of course things change over time, including friendships. That said, from what I gather and am reasonably sure about, Vince's "best" friend back in the day was Robert Marlow, who was likewise an ambitious singer-songwriter (Vince actually sang lead back then). The two were among the leaders of the music scene in Basildon and had been in bands together, but clashed creatively, so they decided to remain buddies and form/join different, competing bands.
Many bands quietly came into and went out of existence, and at one point Vince and Fletch formed No Romance in China. Vince knew Fletch from the Boys' Brigade (a Christian boys' club). I'm not sure how close they were; they were friends, but Vince always called Robert his best friend. Meanwhile Fletch had known Martin since they were young children, as they went to the same school, and in later years they seemed very close, so I'm guessing that they were closer friends than Vince and Fletch, but I'm not absolutely sure. I am sure that Vince didn't know Martin well at all, although eventually Fletch got Martin to join the Boys' Brigade, so they got to know each other at least a little. They all lived in Basildon, but Vince went to a different ("enemy" or rival) school, while Fletch, Martin, and for that matter Alison Moyet all went to the same school.
Vince sure knew *of* Martin and his talents, though, and got Fletch to convince his friend (perhaps his "best" friend?) to join them, forming Composition of Sound. Martin agreed but also remained a member of the band French Look, which was led by Robert. Vince and Robert were unhappy with each other, basically fighting over Martin, so did Fletch become Vince's new best friend at this time? I don't know, but the two bands did gigs together and sabotaged each other at the same time, so Vince and Robert were pretty much "frenemies" at this point--very complicated.
Dave was also sort of with French Look at the time as their assistant, by the way. I think Robert knew he could sing well, but Robert saw himself as the singer and band leader, so he did nothing with Dave (aside from letting him carry and set up their gear), while Vince heard Dave singing one night after a combined gig, called him up, and invited him to join Composition of Sound as the lead singer, which he did, forming Depeche Mode. So basically the two core members of Depeche Mode were both with Robert's band, and Vince lured them away (when pressed to choose, Martin chose to leave French Look and stay with Depeche Mode).
Vince can't be accused of stealing success, however, since none of these people would have gotten anywhere without him. Vince also tried to help Robert get going in the business later, so they were still friends after all of this, although Robert's career didn't quite pan out. And of course Vince soon left Depeche Mode after he and Dave made them a big success, and formed Yazoo with Alison, whom they all at least knew of. In terms of friendships, make of this what you will. I believe that Fletch was closer to Martin than to Vince, but only they really know. Since then, Vince and Fletch have remained friends, but obviously Fletch and Martin have been though so many more things together.
@@rbrtck thanks for this 👍
Andrew Fletcher is the luckiest guy in all entire music industry ever.
He does ZERO and is handsomely paid.
Yes, exactly for doing nothing.,
Martin Maksylewicz even more luckier than Charlie watts or Andrew Ridgeley
Says the guy that doesn't even work in the music industry lol.
Well. Catch planes at 5:00 am then at 6:pm the same day or the next.Jet Lag gallore. Do that stuff for 30 years or so. Sleep in buses for at least the first years THEN come here and type. You dont have to be Nicolo paganini in order to suffer.
I appreciate your channel and your conversations with people. It’s always so thorough.
Thank you my friend , I’m glad you found me !! VG 🎹👍😎
Thanks very much, Vaughn for illustrating for us a question many Depeche Mode fans and even more casual guests have had since watching the band live. There's Dave, hard at work 57 years old, shaking his butt like he's 27 and leering at the women while belting out the tunes. There's Martin, singing as well, albeit a bit more conservatively behind his microphone, though the guitar that looks to be three times too big for his frame might be part of the reason he's not moving much and that's O.K. When Alan was with them, he was up there, in back with those long, nimble fingers flying across the keys, the picture of confidence and control, glancing out every once-in-a-while to survey the rest of the band and the crowd in front of him, but wholly intent on the work at hand. And then there was Fletch. Fletch was... enthusiastic. He pumped his arms, he clapped, sometimes he had a hand on one of the keyboards/synths in front of him, but nobody really knew how useful he was or if he left the band, whether anyone would really notice his absence. And we truly felt bad about feeling that way. He's a founding member of DEPECHE MODE! To ask questions of that nature seems so... disrespectful! Yet, try as we might, we couldn't help but wonder! And you're 100% correct: I did try to play keyboard in high school and one thing that is terribly difficult to do is to play a simple, repetitive melody or baseline more than eight times in a row-especially when you're timing it to a drum machine or other electronically "perfect" rhythm. Great video, Vaughn! Keep 'em coming!
A. Wilder about Fletch's solo album: “An album called Toast Hawaii - Fletch’s favourite dish from Hansa studios’ café - which featured Fletch singing cover versions of his favourite tunes such as ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ - accompanied by myself and/or Martin on piano - does exist somewhere. It was recorded in Berlin on a cassette machine in about 1983, and I took the photo for the album cover - a shot of Fletch; think Plug from The Bash Street Kids! We did, however, have problems convincing Dan Miller that it was worth releasing.”
I love this video! Great explanation of everyone’s parts. Thank you!
That's great! when you break down the parts of what each of the guys were playing it really shows the arrangement skills these guys had in making Martins song come to a new level.
Fletchers's role in Depeche Mode is to look like an Elton John tribute act.
Michael David hahahhaha that’s hilarious mate!! Did make me laugh 😂!! Yeah his role is to look like Elton John but the only difference being that Elton can really really play!! 😎👍V
If I were you, I would be really really happy having all the presets DM used back in the day! great video man!
Just re-watching all your videos and having a great time doing so. This one is truly great. 😎
Absolutely love these videos... Just what I've been looking for for years... A lot of my questions answered all in the videos... Fantastic!!
I don’t think people understand the value in a consistent sober band mate that doesn’t need to have a showy attitude or personality. Dependable.
Dependable to do... nothing? You don’t need sobriety for that
@@cs0rpc I dont think the band would have kept him if he was a total useless ... sometimes when you are in a band you need someone who bring some humanity and understanding, it doesnt matter if he sux you know...
@@pedroroggla8129 doesn’t really justify his position as a supposed musician
@@cs0rpc evidently thats not the way the rest of thr group thinks, maybe they enjoy having him there
@@pedroroggla8129 They literally do think that though. Dave and Martin have both said that Fletch does nothing in the studio and that he is given parts to play live, but they’re not taxing at all. So, they don’t regard him as any sort of musician.
When I saw them live Fletch was so engaging with the audience 🧡
Just found some time to watch previous videos, this was great, and I learnt a lot. Fletch will be missed so much. As you said it's the quiet people who did a lot!
Thanks for this and when time I'll continue to watch your earlier posts🙂🙏 ❤
So beautifuly explained. Thank you! We'll all miss Andrew Fletcher💖 Condolences. May he rest in peace🙏
I can not wait for another vídeo of DM!! You are the best !!!!
Paola thank you so much for your kind words!! More Depeche Mode coming soon !! V :-)
RIP Andy Fletcher, my heart is breaking.
Love your video. It’s amazing, thank you for posting it!
cinqo7 you are very welcome my friend !! V 😎👍
I can’t thank you enough for the video that you made. I am retired producer who wishes I had time and space to play around with sound. I started sampling sounds in the 80’s because of Depeche Mode and have great memories of making something out of it.
23:52
I really like your style. You make me want to learn the songs the way you're playing them and you make me want to sing along with you.
Inspirational! Nice job!
Stripped is also one of my favorites. Great song. The whole Black Celebration LP is brilliant.
Rather fond of that song.
That was awesome, Vaughn!
Thank you.
You are very welcome Birgit! VG :-)
Love these vids. There’s other Channels that cover DM but the depth and extended commentary keep me wanting more. Keep them coming.
Thank you so much I am glad to have you in the community!! V ;-)
He makes pancakes.... Any band without a pancake man is just a mob.
He also drives and operates the tour chuck wagon--well, someone has to.
bwahahahaa!
😁
Absolutely true.
We are a mob.
Devotees/black swarmers x
I enjoyed this video SO MUCH. I've been told the secrets of who plays which part. It was like taking a machine apart to see hw it works.
Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome to the channel my friend !! VG :-)
22 seconds ago
I found this by chance and wanted to thank you for your break down of some of the tracks. Because of the pandemic I'm at home learning guitar and keyboard and playing mostly DM stuff as they have been my favorite band since 1981. Thanks for your video's!
I just cannot believe this happened today. Andy will be missed by many.
I'm so glad you decided to start this channel for all of us hardcore Depeche Mode fans! I look forward to more content from you. I would really like eventually to delve into individual tracks and breakdown what makes them so badass, my first offering is "Get the Balance Right," which as I understand the band doesn't really get why that song is such a hit but I love it!
it was pretty awesome watching you try to recreate "Behind the Wheel" and "Stripped" on your setup, it sounded so cool with the samples! Very excited to see more stuff keep up the good work!
Much love from Texas🇨🇱!
Michael you are so welcome and I would like to welcome you to this community !! V:-)
Stellar video. Well explained. You're definitely a very good teacher. I definitely learned something. Thank you. Fletch reminds me of the Sound effects man in Old Time Radio Shows. You can't do a radio program with the sound guy closing the squeaking door at the wrong time. etc. Perfect timing is everything.
M. M. Thank you and I’m glad you got value from this!! V😎👍
May he rest in peace. He would love to see this devosion from fans. Love your video
Thank you so much for your video!!! Such a great inside about the way they play. Really great video!
Stripped is a beautiful piece of music the melodies are perfect
To be honest, I believe, Andy's parts were pre recorded. I remember Alan said, that during their concerts when Alan looked at Fletcher, he knew , that nothing was going on there.
I agree with you!! VG :-)
@@VaughnGeorge
The question is whether Fletcher CREATED those parts he played ... or was it assigned to him to play it after Alan had created it in the studio ...
In Alan's statements it sound like he was mainly the guy who worked through the nights to come up with all the synth riffs and sounds based on Gore's bare bone melodies and lyrics ... And the rest of the band would just come in to record the song after Alan had the amazing background music engineered overnight in an act of musical inspirations after inspirations ...
Thats why he felt unappreciated because he felt he was responsible for the bulk of all the great sounds he engineered on the keyboards but does not get any specific credits with his name alone (producer was credited as "Depeche Mode" while Gore would get song writing credit by his own name) ..
And its true that DM's greatness owes greatly to the type of very recognisable, atmospheric and improvisional synth sounds without which the lyrical and melodic contents would probably make for just some above average songs rather than a great musical experience ...
I also don't believe Andy plays ANYTHING live. I have watched many live shows and often his fingers just hover, other than when he does nothing or is just clapping. Embarrasing.
@@FireMunki63 There is a video somewhere that proves he is actually plugged in. I'll find it
Edit: this is not it but...
czcams.com/video/KDjFMOPL940/video.html
Here it is: czcams.com/video/YjYeDxRAKh4/video.html
I realized years ago how much of the music I was a attracted to had a lot to do with it's Mathematics. Your video illustrates that really well. Thank You!
Watching your videos makes me feel I'm home. Cheers. Please continue doing them.
I love this . Depeche Mode will always be my 1 favorite. This breakdown is awesome. Thanks for giving me new ears to listen with ♥️
You are very welcome my friend!! Welcome to the channel !! VG :-)
These DM videos are freaking amazing!!! (and often hilarious too, your commentary is genius). Keep it up!!! I'm a little more musically inclined than Fletch, so I absolutely love watching you play the keyboard, and I would love to learn how to play the songs myself! I also agree with you about Alan's importance to the band's overall sound - he was brilliant :'( (and lastly, I appreciate how fair you were over Fletch in this video, even though I like Alan better lol)
Awesome job, mate! Your passion and enthusiasm for DM makes for some great videos/discussions. Thanks for sharing the insights and technicalities with Fletch - I’ve always wondered what his role was and you basically explained it spot on. Keep up the good work! 🍻
James Paputis : Thank you so much for your kind world matey!! It's comments like this that make the channel a joy for me !! Keep watching for many more Depeche Mode videos !! Cheers, V :-)
Great time watching. Thanks mate!
ezekiel2725 thanks so much !!😎👍V
I found this channel today and happy I did! Depeche Mode are unique, and Vaughn breaks down their composition both musically and personally well. I found, like many other fans, it's the intellectual authenticity of Martin's "voice" that keeps fans all these years. For their current music, Dave and Martin's co-written songs are the ones I find I like the most.
As to the topic of "what does Fletch do besides deliver wicked live clapping?" Many "fans" argue that he doesn't pull his weight, he's lucky to still be along for the ride. What Vaughn points out so well, is his integral role in the band. I have always thought as Andy as the seamstress that stings them all together. Take out all of the parts he plays, and you'd only have a melody, and a voice may be enough for a song but not enough for a band to iconic.
Patricia Chisholm thank you fur an awesome post and kind words!! Welcome onboard!! VG👍🎹😎
It’s so cool to learn what Fletch actually does! I knew he could play and stylistically its those individual parts that make up the Depeche Mode Sound! I really enjoyed this video and am geeking out to those depeche mode sounds!
DODGE THIS LUCAS MACKINTOSH thank you my friend !! Many other DM videos are to be seen on my channel so do enjoy yourself !! VG😎👍🎹
@@VaughnGeorge Thank you I will!
DODGE THIS LUCAS MACKINTOSH you’re welcome , I hope you will consider subscribing and join the tribe 😎👍🎹VG
Vaughn George consider it done!
great analysis of details...thanks...👍👍👍
Mate
You have no idea how much your videos mean to us i was a teenager in 80s matured with depeche they will always be a part of me and to watch your eloquent praise is a total compliment to the band and an affermation of their influence on our pride in taking our time not as flimsy "romantic" stuff but real art in music thank you
Cornelius
Shropshire
Cornelius McCann you are very welcome my friend !! V😎👍
I happened onto your channel by the way, it's great to see some of the great synth tracks deconstructed like this - love it! I used to spend a long time doing something similar when I was younger - it's actually a great way to learn how some of the songs were put together both composition/arrangement wise and also sound design wise.
Not really a hardcore DM fan (liked Violator and an album or two after that), it's kinda interesting that people are questioning what each of the members did in the group... I am sure he has some role to play, or otherwise he won't be in the group ...
Hello Ken !! Thank you for your kind wards and I am glad you have found the channel !! VG :-)
When Fletch did have a microphone on stage it is common knowledge it was never turned on - so he just mimed ffs! (this is mentioned in more than one interview) more recently he doesn’t have a mike on stage - Alan also taught Daryl Bamonte’s all of Fletchers live parts in one week in a hotel room when he left the last leg of the SOFAD tour and Darryl a non musician stood in for him - that says it all IMO.
nick wood hahhaha yeah well said mate !! Fletch is such a clown really 😂V
Exactly right
The late Matt Fretton toured with them as support (with backing tapes) and he said at the time that he reckoned Fletch's vocals and keyboards never made it past the band's monitors. Ultra is the only good post-Alan Wilder album, and they used two programmers - he was clearly missed for his technical input. Playing The Angel - two programmers.....
Momtnz two programmers used yes that’s right !!😎👍V
nick wood you can clearly hear Fletch vocals in blasphemous rumours on bootleg "une nuit a la mode".
Thank you George, I loved the explanation, how respectful you were with Fletch, they all deserve our admiration, simple can be complex, passing the paradox. Sorry my English but I feel you understand. Greetings from beautiful Portugal 🇵🇹👏 Subscribed.
HE STARTED THE BAND! A small detail everyone conveniently forgets. Maybe he is a mastermind genius, who knew what he was doing all along. Like the Rupert Murdoch of the music industry.
Not quite. Vince Clarke was the mastermind, but Fletch was a mutual friend of his and Martin's, and Vince needed Fletch to help recruit Martin, who was well known in their social circle to be a good songwriter, into DM from the band he was already in.
rbrtck I know man, but Fletch was the conduit, with his bass guitar in tow. If Fletch didn’t exist, Depeche would not exist. We would have Erasure Mode, which would’ve been one album, then Vince would’ve walked.
@@greckendale No argument here. As I said in another, longer comment somewhere, DM as we know it would not exist without Fletch, who I called its "central" founder. I just meant that Vince was originally the mastermind, and he coveted having Martin in the band, but it was Fletch who delivered him. And without Martin, of course the definitive lineup of DM (which for me also includes Alan) would have never been.
It's impossible to tell what else would have happened if Fletch hadn't been able to recruit Martin. With his plan thwarted, Vince might have called up Alison Moyet earlier and formed Yazoo-plus-Fletch. ;) One way or another, I bet that Vince would have eventually made it in the business (after all, he did start three highly successful bands), while Martin probably would not, since he wasn't confident and maniacally driven like Vince was. We would have missed out on Martin's songwriting entirely. It was joining DM and then Vince leaving them seemingly in the lurch that really lit a fire in Martin to prove himself.
WOW! THIS was a brilliant way of discovering your channel!!! Subscribed!!!!!!
Thank you my friend!! More to come !! V:-)
Hello Vaughn, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you for this insight, quite poignant to think about especially at this time. Hugs to you and to all DM fans, and especially to Andrew Fletcher's family and all his soul sisters and soul brothers.
Fascinating video. Much appreciated.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you for this! I love DM and without Fletch there’s a good chance they would not still be together!
This was great. Even though I've loved DM for almost 4 decades, I somehow never considered how they played live. As opposed to a guitar, bass, keyboard band, whose sounds are much easier to reproduce than the specialized sounds of DM. I can appreciate how much memory and timing were required to avoid sonic flubs, and how it needed 3 guys to distribute the tasks. Very interesting, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it Ed!! Thank you!! VG :-)
Great video VG! Came back to it last night. For me part of DMs appeal is that each of the classic 4 members are so different, Visually and musically. I’m a massive Alan fan but I think Fletch suffered playing along side such a talented musician. Most people couldn’t play those notes for 2hours, 5 nights a week for 40 years. He will sadly missed and I can’t see DM continuing. They leave countless timeless hits. RIP Fletch.
Fantastic! Fletch plays all my favorite parts.
He's in charge of getting the fish and chips after the show.
LOL!!! V :-)
Aside from Fletch effectively being the band's manager, they go out of their way to perpetuate the joke that he doesn't do anything in the band. I recall a few albums ago they released a behind the scenes video of the recording process. Along with many shots of Martin playing instruments and Dave singing, it featured shots of Fletch lounging on a sofa, leafing through a magazine, and also very carefully tweaking a knob on a eurorack modular which didn't have any patch cords connected. There was also one of the in-studio performances where he appeared to play a single bass note on a Minimoog for the entire song. They are obviously very aware of this perception that he doesn't contribute musically to the recording process, and they like to play it up.
Or maybe they just want to market that assumption and profit from it... genius!
@QTee Fletch does some legwork like making certain phone calls and such, but he's hardly their manager, who would be Jonathan Kessler. Fletch describes the band members' basic roles quite succinctly in _101_ , saying something like Martin's the songwriter, Dave's the singer, Alan's a good musician, and I bum around--there you go.
I'm loving these videos. I'm sure you're subscriber numbers would've gone up thanks to these DM content videos. Great topics and great presentations.
Thank you bro !! I am so grateful to you for your kind comments !! V :-)
amazing job man, please do this for all the band members
Thank you so much for your kind words!! Plenty more to come!! V :-)
"I suppose Wilder could do a lot of that by himself, but they had to split the parts so that everyone had something to do." This at 17:50 is the best summed up answer to the question of what Fletch does. After decades of following DM as my favorite band and hearing the Fletch jokes, I was hoping this would reveal some hard working behind the scenes sort of thing that he does that makes him vital. Unfortunately it only seems to strengthen the notion that he doesn't do much at all. I still love the band, but I'm not going to pretend that Fletch is still around because of stellar musical talent. Wilder could have played his part, Fletch's part, and had time for tea all while the song was still going. There has to be something else there that he does, or maybe it's just as was said....he is Martin's mouthpiece, and maybe that is the better value he brings.
Unfortunately it only seems to strengthen the notion that he doesn't do much at all. lol classic lol
Yeah, instead of a musician, he could have been the official manager of the band. After all, he is the mediator, the reconciliator, Martin's mouthpiece and friend.
I get in the early days that Fletch played mostly bass parts during the Speak and Spell period.
But I’m convince it was mostly Martin and Alan playing.
There was documentary called Dark Progression and Andy McLuskey (from OMD )who supported Depeche Mode during the 101 tour stated that Fletch did nothing on the synth. But handled mostly the business side of things.
Syracuse Music 1986: Thank you for your comment. Yes I do recall seeing that video clip of Andy McCluskey talking about this. I will post another video regarding the subject so keep following the channel for many more videos coming soon !! V :-)
No probs dude
I'm afraid I disagree too. Maybe I'm biased becasue I admit I can't stand the man. And not just because of his lack of musical talent - I agree most of the parts you showed are played by him indeed - but I think his presence in DM has tarnished the band and its full potential. Alan and him hated each other, Dave and him hated each other (and they still don't like each other). And I was told some stories about him by people in the know which make him responsible of putting the band's existence in serious, serious jeopardy, particularly during the Violator era.
It's great you showed he does indeed play a little ( even though I've watched him mime too), because it's true, but I actually think he gets way more respect than he deserves.
As for sticking to a managerial role, well, it seems Jonathan Kessler does a better role at it.
@@alejandromorales8715 : Brilliantly stated my friend !! I did think to myself when I made that video how simplistic Fletch's parts really are. He must be the world's most overpaid keyboard player if you consider how little he does !! Many musicians have been contacting me and said they to have seen him clearly miming and pretending to play when it was obvious that what he was doing made no sense. I'm sure we keyboard players could spot it easily !! :-) V
He didn't play anything. Trust.
thank you bro,
all the band members are important. RIP Fletch 🖤
Oh I was just talking about this subject with another fan. Nice video!!! I would love a video about the studio technologies they used in the making of CTA, what is programmed and sampled and what they played on guitars and bass. Thank you 😘
MelRen Fruder: Thank you for your kind words and thank you for the video suggestion. I will definitely do a video on the production of the CTA album as well as an album review. I am also going to be interviewing Brian Griffin who did the photography of the CTA album cover and many other covers too so be sure to keep following the channel. Speak to you soon my friend!! V :-)
Vaughn, I'd just like to recognize your appreciation for the band, and thank you for providing fans even more content for us to enjoy. The band has been a positive supplement to our lives for many years . And in reality , there isnt alot of outside stimulus from the world that provides for a happier sense of well being. Sometimes its just a crazy dynamic and the perfect combination of something that just , works. Honestly , I think Fletch scored a life that is beyond belief. You can listen to the works of Vivaldi , and other classical composers , and I think , "this is insane, how did one man create such a complexity of sounds in his mind and have the ability to translate it with such a perfection . But, with music , the complexity isnt the definition of its beauty and what effects the human reception of it. So, that being said, DM is only that perfection with Andrew Fletcher. Thank you again Vaughn for your work and recognition , i look forward to any future opinion, observations and insights from you on or about DM. BTW , in closing I thought id maybe share something I got a "lol" from Fletch in the video im linking. I really enjoy the stage presence of this time with Fletch , as hes more visually active above his " raise your hands" gesturing of more recent times. But at 2:30 in the vid , hes awkward drum stick twist gives me kick .... take care my friend czcams.com/video/EnIm71jRb_o/video.html
Marc Christopher thank you so much for this lovely message !! I’m happy to welcome you to this con hurt and I hope you will remain a subscriber here for many years to come !! Thank you for the links !! VG 😎👍🎹
The bass notes for Behind the Wheel (from Music For The Masses) are the same exact notes that were also used for Dressed In Black (from the Black Celebration album) just played in a different rhythmic pattern... and I have had several online conversations with Alan Wilder back when he used to do Q&A chat sessions on his official Shunt website and he admits that in the early days of DM and all the way up until his departure, the bass lines and drum tracks for the majority of their songs were almost always pre-recorded on tape or pre-programmed so that the main parts and lead lines and accompanying parts could be played live by Alan and Martin primarily; Fletch simply "mimed" most of his parts, if not all of them. I've watched many live videos and even seen the band play live numerous times and watched Fletch's hands while on stage, he doesn't play the right keys and doesn't put his hands in the right areas of the keyboard in order to play those parts correctly. I'm a musician and producer and I've covered many DM songs in my career so I'm extremely familiar with DM's material and the way Alan and Martin write and arrange the parts. I will give Fletch the credit he deserves for being who he is in the band but I don't agree that he played as many parts or even did as much on stage as people think he has done. Don't get me wrong, I still think that DM is one of the greatest synth-pop bands that ever was, but I also am realistic enough to realize that the core of the bands success really came from Vince, Martin, Alan and Dave... plus the myriad of producers they have worked with over the years; but even Fletch himself admits in the 101 video - "I just bum around"
Joseph Stone thanks for this detailed and well written post!! Absolutely agree with you on everything you said there!! Cheers and welcome to the community 👍😎V
Most bands especially electrinic acts now use loaded back tracks and only play fills or improvs to reduce margins of error and also to better interact with the audience. Ive got friends that use loop pedals and rack pedals with tracks for playing that second or third overlay. You sort-of have to if your music is very instrument layered and you're just a 3 piece. Technology has allowed Martin less time on the keys live and more up front on guitar. Alan sold on his old synths and samplers because now its just a basic keyboard hooked to the laptop. As mentioned the mixer is handling the backing but its all doable by a stroke of the key at the stage.
Yeah. That makes sense to me. Playing those bass keys live would be incredibly risky -- the slightest little hand slip and it would sound stupid! (Unnecessary stress while performing.)
Very informative. I had no idea.
You will be missed Fletch.😭💔
Love the Black Celebration drone sounds. Great song demos and a fair middle ground review on Andy Fletcher parts within DM Vaughn. 👍
Totally agree with you regarding the opening of Stripped. Those two melodies sound so well together. Hard to describe how I feel when I hear it... it's like an 'aural fulfilment', if that makes any sense. 😄
Very often , words cannot describe the way we feel and I TOTALLY understand what you are saying V :-) xx
@@VaughnGeorge And kudos for giving Fletch credit where it's due... it's easy to hate on him but whatever he doesn't contribute creatively, he makes it up elsewhere. He definitely does a lot more on stage than, say, modern-day Kraftwerk and their laptops (but that's another story... 😁).
Some remarks on your channel:
- Thank you for taking the initiative to start this channel in the first place. It's like a haven for repressed DM fans who just need to see someone else echoing their thoughts. I know only two people in real life who likes DM, but they are older and it would be weird if I suddenly gush about the band to them.
- I've only started listening to DM five months ago, and every day I discover little gems about them that makes me love them even more. It's people like you who are generous with their knowledge that maintains my enthusiasm for DM. I can't wait to geek out further when you upload your individual DM album reviews.
Keep on producing quality content and engaging with your viewers. You're getting somewhere!
I was present in the stage of one Depeche Mode Concert in 1994.
maybe one or two fingers in some moments, but must of the time nothing, he didn't do anything with his EMAX II samplers ... I enjoy alot the concert but the guy maybe its a friend or business man of the band.
Great video! Very informative and entertaining 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you Christian!! Be sure to see the other Depeche Mode videos on the channel!! Welcome to the community!! V;-)
That end riff from "Mercy In You"... chills. Amazing tones.
werideatdusk indeed!! 😎V
Loving the content - would like to see a video about Elton John as a pianist and keyboardist. So much focus is on his singing and songwriting that this aspect of his talents is often overlooked.
Right here is my two cents on Fletch...
I do believe he is great solid player. I mean if you look at videos up untill the Music for the Masses tour he pretty solidly playing all the bass lines live with some occasional lead like Everything Counts. But he can play.
I think the fault comes from that around MFTM he became more like a manager type of person for the band. I think on 101 there are a few scenes with him on the phones to radios and stuff like that. There is also in my opinion the Alan WIlder factor. No doubt Alan was the brains of the group especially around this time. And I think Alan maybe did not think Fletch was a real musician like him, so he relied on him less and less. I mean if you listen to the backing tapes from the violator tour, you can hear that other than Martin's guitar and Alan's main synth lines everything else was on the tape, which If i would be Fletch it, sucks.
So after Alan left, and around or after exciter if i remember correctly Martin and Dave werent on speaking terms because of the song writing credits and him and Jonathan Kessler were the ones to get the two working again. Which is a pretty big feat if you think about it. We can also see that from the time Ultra came out, Fletch took over as spoke person for the band, when they are announcing new albums and he is the one who always take time to speak with fans on tour or even at random events.
I think Fletch is underrated and if they would give him more things to play he would be a great player and not just known for his killer claps (which sounds like a sexual disease haha). Also If you think about it from SOTU the melodies got simpler, minimalistic. So there is not much left to play for 3 person on stage. I mean lets just think about that Peter Gordeno now plays bass on Pain, and played bass on Personal Jesus i think at the KROQ Almost Acoustic show.
Anyway this is my opinions so you can always ignore it haha. Great video and I hope one day you get to interview the real Fletch.
Well written and very detailed post there Gabor!! Thank you very much!! Really enjoyed it !! V:-)
Great post x
Yes a sober figure that give us more depeche mode to enjoy so much more valuable than alan wilder in the long term so my love and respect to fletcher
Let's be serious please. Fletcher's musical input is sparse to say the least. He can play ok. But he's not talented at all, musically speaking. So what, he plays the basslines. DM is not known for it's basslines. I don't begrudge Andy any accolades or success, but his impact on the music is next to nil. Always was curious why a solid musician like Adam Clayton who has written great basslines & is so integral in U2's music gets so much jealousy hate on YT & Fletcher is spared that kind of hate. I wish no hate on Andy as he is a good guy, but just curious. Great video, thanks for the upload.
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Very good post! :) I agree
This is fantastic! I love your talent and expertise
I always thought that vocal sample at 16:20 was saying "One for you." Great video! Such a treat to come across this.
Rolanoid!! You are very welcome in this community !! Thank you so much for your kind words and I can promise you loads more similar content!! V :-)
Rest in Peace Fletch His legacy will live on Forever!
Stripped is my all-time favorite from DM. Those bass parts are so intense and deep. Thank you Fletch for this :)
Every Single Member of Depeche Mode has his unsubstituatable role i think. Maybe Fletch didn't get the same recognition for his work on and behind the stage from Alan as same as he claims for himself. We all know about Alans Role and his musically Input which pushs them to the top. But every Band has there peak of success. But after Alans departure, they created some very meaningful Albums which we all love. Thats it what D≡P≡CH≡ MOD≡ is about. Every band has his flatten curve in all the years but DM's still is on a high level :)
I really like this video. As a keyboard player who recently damaged his back, this is helping to reinspire.
Good to read this Alon!! I wish you well in your recovery !! VG :-)
I love this video, i always thought that Fletch was fundamental on the band, thank you for teaching this, Fletch will always be in our hearths, greetings from Mexico.
Thank you Shark!! VG ;-)
DM stated in an interview that Martin is the songwriter, Dave is the singer, Alan is the technician, and Fletch is the businessman.
He counts the money, and divides it equally among the lads.
Thank you, just watched this and learned a lot. Very interesting to see how DM's electronic music is/was played live, as it's so different from a conventional band, especially with the use of keyboard triggered samples.
It must be pretty boring, but also slightly stressful playing those "Fletch" parts night after night, knowing you can't add anything to the performance (in the way someone playing lead guitar can) but can screw the song up if you get it wrong!
Planet of the Deaf thank you and I’m glad you get what I was trying to convey in this video!! VG👍😎
This is the first video I watched from you, Sir. This is the video I ask my friends to watch. -Andy Ry Denmark.
Enjoyed this a lot - thanks!
Flecther's skills can be recorded whereas Wilder was a machine within itself