Alan Wilder

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.

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 lead to him ending up working for bands such as The Dragons, Dafne and the Tenderspots (as Alan Normal), Real to Real, 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

In September 2005, the Side-Line.com website reported that Wilder was going back into the studio to work on a new Recoil project. The news was confirmed soon after. In 2006 he appeared in interviews on most of Depeche Mode's albums, which have been digitally re-mastered and re-mixed in 5.1 surround sound. Although remixed by Kevin Paul, Alan 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.

After years of being out of the public eye, Wilder has announced a new album for Spring 2007.

[[ Recoil's 5th studio album. ]]

Entitled 'subHuman', it has been provisionally set for release on July 2nd, 2007.

'subHuman' will be available on CD and limited edition gatefold vinyl. A special collector's DVD package will also be issued to include an enhanced stereo CD, a 5.1 Surround Sound version and an exclusive ambient re-working of the entire album. The DVD will also include all the Recoil videos to date.

Collaborating with Recoil is Blues-man Joe Richardson, whose evocative vocal style is complimented by accomplished guitar and harmonica performances. Born in Southern Louisiana, Richardson spent years immersed in the murkier side of New Orleans life and offers a unique commentary on conflict, religion, incarceration and personal struggle.

English singer Carla Trevaskis, a songwriter in her own right, brings an expressive range and control to 'subHuman' and has worked with artists as diverse as Fred de Faye (Eurythmics), Cliff Hewitt (Apollo 440) and Dave McDonald (Portishead).

Wilder's skill at blending diverse and eclectic musical styles with often controversial subjects has produced an album of complex sonic imagery and expansive dynamic range. 'subHuman' asks us to reach within ourselves and extract the very essence of what makes us human - and more importantly what allows us to subordinate others, sometimes with the most brutal consequences. We are all 'subHuman' in somebody's eyes. Alan and his wife, Hepzibah Sessa, have lived together since 1994. They have one daughter, Paris, and one son, Stanley Duke.

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 is the sole member 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".^{[citation needed]}

References

External links