They began in the early 1980s, developed with the decade, profoundly influenced the dance scene, cracked in the 1990s, but have emerged triumphantly to launch the millennium with an acclaimed new album, Exciter, that caused the NME to comment we still need Depeche Mode . No other electronic group of their early period has proved to be quite so influential or quite so successful. Written with the band's co-operation and exclusive new interviews, Steve Malins' biography throws light on this private, frequently misunderstood group and their lives which have been bizarre, hilarious, extreme and destructive through more than two decades of constant success and excessive celebration. Malins has traced the beginnings of the band from petty crime and suburban banks, through to their New Romantic period, and on from there to their re-invention and enormous success in the States. Also covered are the band's importance for the dance/techno scene and the inside story of their vast tours through the USA and Eastern Europe. The biography looks closely at the characters that have shaped the band, and examines the dynamics of their relationships - Gore's lyrics, Gahan's addictions and desperations and Fletch's nervous breakdown. This is the most evocative, in-depth and insightful book on Depeche Mode to ever be written.

Steve Malins, the respected music writer, author of Paul Weller and co-author of Praying to the Aliens - Gary Numan: The Autobiography Steve Malins is a contributing editor for Q magazine and also writes for The Sunday Times. He lives in London.