| Alan Wilder |
| Background information |
| Birth name |
Alan Charles Wilder |
| Also known as |
Alan Normal |
| Born |
1 June 1959 |
| Origin |
Hammersmith, London, England |
| Genre(s) |
Electronica, Avant-garde |
| Occupation(s) |
Keyboardist, Composer, Arranger, Producer |
| Instrument(s) |
Keyboards, Drums |
| Years active |
1979 – present |
| Label(s) |
Mute Records |
Associated
acts |
Depeche
Mode,
Recoil |
Alan Charles Wilder (born 1 June 1959 in Hammersmith,
West London,
England)
is an electronic musician, composer, arranger and record
producer. He is best known as a former member of Depeche
Mode. He is also the founder of an electronic music project
named Recoil.
Recoil started as a side project to Depeche Mode, but when he left the
latter in 1995, it evolved into Wilder's primary project. Wilder has
also provided production and remixing services to the bands Nitzer
Ebb, and Curve. Wilder is married to
former Miranda Sex Garden
keyboarder Hepzibah Sessa. The couple married in
1994 and have a son, Stanley Duke, and a daughter, Paris, together.
|
Contents
- 1 Early
Years
- 2 Depeche
Mode
- 3 Currently
- 4 Trivia
- 5 References
- 6 External
links
|
Early Years
Alan Wilder was born into a neither "rich nor poor" family.
Known by many as Depeche Mode's only trained musician, he began piano
at the age of eight, through the encouragement of his parents. Later
on, he learned the flute and became a leading musician in his school
bands. After school, Alan worked as a studio assistant at DJM Studios.
This led to him ending up working for bands such as The Dragons, Dafne
and the Tenderspots (as Alan Normal), Real to Real (featuring Adrian
Chilvers on Bass), and The Hitmen.
Depeche Mode
Following the departure of Vince
Clarke, Depeche Mode put out an ad in the music magazine "Melody
Maker": "Keyboard player needed for established band - no timewasters."
Even though the ad was looking for someone under 21 (Alan was 22) he
lied about his age to get the job and got away with it.
For many years, Wilder was seen as the musician in Depeche
Mode. As such, he is credited by much of the fan base for moulding Martin
Gore's songs and sculpting the sound that became known as the Depeche
Mode sound. His efforts can be felt all over classic albums like Black
Celebration, Music
for the Masses, Violator
and Songs of Faith and
Devotion
Departure
On June 1st 1995 (his 36th birthday), Alan announced his
departure from Depeche Mode:
- "Due to increasing dissatisfaction with the internal
relations and working practices of the group, it is with some sadness
that I have decided to part company from Depeche Mode. My decision to
leave the group was not an easy one particularly as our last few albums
were an indication of the full potential that Depeche Mode was
realising.
- Since joining in 1982, I have continually striven to give
total energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the furthering of the
group's success and in spite of a consistent imbalance in the
distribution of the workload, willingly offered this. Unfortunately,
within the group, this level of input never received the respect and
acknowledgement that it warrants.
- Whilst I believe that the calibre of our musical output has
improved, the quality of our association has deteriorated to the point
where I no longer feel that the end justifies the means. I have no wish
to cast aspersions on any individual; suffice to say that relations
have become seriously strained, increasingly frustrating and,
ultimately, in certain situations, intolerable.
- Given these circumstances, I have no option but to leave
the group. It seems preferable therefore, to leave on a relative high,
and as I still retain a great enthusiasm and passion for music, I am
excited by the prospect of pursuing new projects. The remaining band
members have my support and best wishes for anything they may pursue in
the future, be it collectively or individually."
Currently
Recently, Wilder has been involved with the digital remasters
and 5.1 surround sound mixes of most of
Depeche Mode's albums. Although remixed by Kevin Paul, Wilder is credited as
Executive Producer on the releases: a role which included advising on
mixes and providing comments and feedback during the re-mastering
process.
Wilder has recently released the fifth studio album with his
project Recoil. It is the first recording Wilder
has released since 2000's "Liquid". Rumours of a new album being in the
making were officially confirmed when Wilder posted a video on Youtube in 2006,
announcing that the album was tentatively set for release in spring
2007.
Recoil's new album is entitled "subHuman" and was released in
Europe on July 13th, 2007. The UK release date was July 9th. "subHuman"
was made available on CD and limited edition gatefold vinyl. A special
collector's DVD package will also be issued to include the CD album and
a DVD featuring 5.1 Surround Sound version and an exclusive ambient
re-working of the entire album. The DVD will also include all
promotional Recoil videos to date.
A major collaborator on "subHuman" was American blues musician
Joe Richardson, who shares
writing credits with Wilder on all but one track of the album. Also
appearing is English singer/songwriter Carla Trevaskis, who previously
worked with Fred de Faye, Cliff Hewitt and Dave McDonald, among others. The
album's opening song, "Prey", featuring Richardson on vocals, was
released as a limited 7" vinyl single in June 2007, preceding the
release of "subHuman" itself.
Trivia
.
- On his homepage for Recoil Alan Wilder answers
numerous questions sent in by fans, whether they be about Depeche Mode,
Recoil, techniques, his hobbies/interests, etc...
- After his departure from Depeche Mode, Alan
Wilder was approached by Robert Smith with
a proposition to join The Cure, an offer which he
respectfully declined. Wilder explained about this in his recoil
homepage: "It was more of an enquiry, rather than a direct question. I
thought it was a joke at first (but I'm assured they were serious).
Daryl Bamonte, who used to work for DM and now works within the Cure
organisation, asked me. The last thing on my mind was to go and join
another band".
- He is known as a fan of the Queen's Park Rangers
football club. He answers to a question by a fan "You and Robert Smith:
both QPR fans, both write dark introspective music - possible
connection?" like this: "You'd write depressing music too if you had to
watch QPR".
- In the movie "101", Alan and Andy Fletcher are
the sole members of Depeche Mode to visit the contest winners touring
with the band.
- Alan escaped a horrifying accident - a fighter
jet crashed upon the road he was travelling and missed him by mere
moments.
- Wilder appears briefly in the Madonna
documentary Truth or Dare.
He is not credited.
- In Rolling Stone Magazine he was called a
"mousse abusing Val Kilmer clone".
References
-
Youtube video of Alan Wilder announcing new
album
External links
| v • d • e Depeche Mode |
David Gahan | Martin
Gore | Andrew Fletcher
Vince Clarke | Alan Wilder |
| Discography |
|
Studio albums: Speak
& Spell | A
Broken Frame | Construction Time Again
| Some Great Reward
| Black Celebration
| Music for the Masses
| Violator | Songs of Faith and
Devotion | Ultra
| Exciter | Playing
the Angel
Compilations: People Are People
| The Singles 81>85
| Catching Up with
Depeche Mode | The
Singles 86>98 | Remixes
81 - 04 | The
Best Of, Volume 1 | The Complete Depeche Mode
Live albums: 101
| Songs of Faith and
Devotion Live | Recording
the Angel
Tribute albums: For
the Masses | A Techno Tribute to
Depeche Mode | Color Theory
presents Depeche Mode
Singles: "Dreaming
of Me" | "New
Life" | "Just Can't Get Enough" | "See You" | "The
Meaning of Love" | "Leave in Silence" | "Get
the Balance Right" | "Everything Counts" | "Love,
in Itself" | "People Are People" | "Master
and Servant" | "Blasphemous Rumours"
/ "Somebody" | "Shake
the Disease" | "It's Called a Heart" | "Stripped"
/ "But Not Tonight" | "A Question of Lust" | "A
Question of Time" | "Strangelove" | "Never Let Me Down Again" | "Behind
the Wheel" | "Little
15" | "Everything Counts (Live)"
| "Personal
Jesus" | "Enjoy the Silence" | "Policy
of Truth" | "World in My Eyes" | "I Feel
You" | "Walking in My Shoes" | "Condemnation"
| "In
Your Room" | "Barrel
of a Gun" | "It's No Good" | "Home" | "Useless"
| "Only When I Lose Myself" | "Dream On" | "I Feel
Loved" | "Freelove"
| "Goodnight Lovers" | "Enjoy
the Silence 04" | "Precious" | "A Pain That I'm Used To" | "Suffer
Well" | "John the Revelator" / "Lilian" | "Martyr"
|
| Videography |
|
The World
We Live In and Live in Hamburg | Some
Great Videos | Strange
| 101 | Strange
Too | Devotional
| The Videos 86>98
| One Night in Paris
| Touring the Angel:
Live in Milan
|
| Related
articles |
| Synthpop
| Depeche Mode Tours | Mute
Records | Paper Monsters
| Counterfeit e.p.
| Counterfeit² | Toast Hawaii | Recoil
| Mute Records discography |
