Depeche Mode ‘the most opposite’ of an alt-right band, frontman Dave Gahan says ahead of new album’s release

British synth-rock veterans emphatically reject American white-nationalist Richard Spencer’s recent ‘really weird’ statement, with lead singer saying band have always felt they are just ‘a bunch of weirdos and proud of it’

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Depeche Mode’s new album, Spirit, is out this week.

Published: 6:00pm, 14 Mar 2017Updated: 6:00pm, 14 Mar 2017

Depeche Mode are back with their timeliest work yet. Take protest song Where’s the Revolution, the lead single off the synth-rock trio’s new album Spirit (released on March 17). “You’ve been lied to, you’ve been fed truths. Who’s making your decisions?” frontman Dave Gahan hisses over blistering synths, urging listeners to question their religion and government.

It’s a searing statement from the British icons (including Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher), who recently denounced American white-nationalist Richard Spencer for calling them the “official band of the alt-right”.

Gahan, 54, discusses their latest album.

You’ve said that this isn’t necessarily a political album, but was more or less inspired by what’s going on globally.

A lot of these songs were written a good year and a half ago. ... [Last year], it seemed like you couldn’t get away from this bizarre parade of oddballs all trying to claim their place to be the next president of the United States which, across the board, seemed so funny. That definitely rubs off on you. But it’s other places in the world as well: the craziness in Syria and all the refugees. It’s just like, “Wow, this is the world that we live in and we still can’t figure out how to get on together?” All of that stuff found its way on to this record, this disillusionment.

What specifically inspired Where’s the Revolution?