Here’s an older post that confirms what I’ve read “in between the lines” regarding why Alan Wilder left DM. Unfortunate how 2 people who compliment each other’s art/craft as well can’t get past the almighty ego.
April 30, 2003
Dave Gahan recalls Alan Wilder
The future of Depeche Mode has been questioned by Dave Gahan during an interview with the Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet. In the interview Gahan is quoted saying that his relation with composer Martin Gore is rather difficult due to Gore limiting Gahan’s musical input: “My frustration has been growing over a long period of years. I have always felt that I’ve deceived myself – that I ought to have more influence. The reason why I haven’t is both that I haven’t been aggressive enough towards Martin, but also because I know that he simply isn’t susceptible to advices and ideas of any kind.” Gahan furthermore says that the band will get together later on this year to talk things through: “We will probably have a talk sometime next year, but there are no guarantees that we will make another record.” In the chat Gahan also insists that Gore’s lack of openness was the main reason that the creative sound arcitect of the group, Alan Wilder, left the band. Gahan: “Martin wouldn’t acknowledge that Alan contributed incredibly much to Martin’s songs. And now I think you can easily say Alan’s input is missed. I actually think that even Martin would admit that today. And that is something he probably ought to call and tell Alan after all these years. He would definately appreciate it.” The interview turns rather hilarious when Gahan talks about how producer Mark Bell was faced with the “Exciter” material and Gore’s apathy towards production: “Our producer on ‘Exciter’, Mark Bell, said that he really wouldn’t make the entire album for us. So then i had to tell him some news: “Yes you f’u'c’king are!”. And then he just pulled up his sleeves and went to work with the computer and Martin would look him over the shoulder and mumble “o.k.” side-line
