Depeche Mode has always been a band with a strange sound that has led their appeal to be of the niche variety. One of those niche fans turns out to be Richard Spencer, a notorious leader in the alt-right movement. When he made a comment about the band's role in the movement, however, the band struct back with a vigorous denial of the neo-Nazi.
Alt-right connections
At the annual CPAC gathering, the controversial alt-right leader was asked about an affinity for rock music. He responded by calling Depeche Mode "the official band of the alt-right," according to New York Magazine.
He later told Rolling Stone that he was joking around, but in the eyes of some, the damage Spencer inflicted was done.
Spencer went on to tell Rolling Stone how the band was one full of angst and how Depeche Mode had a fascist message seeping through some of their lyrics. He pointed to "A Broken Frame" and "Music for the Masses" as examples. With a movement focused on populism with strong connections to white nationalist movements, the band would still seem like an odd fit for those who support the alt-right.
Left-leaning band
That's because they would be a weird fit in the alt-right movement. Rolling Stone reached out to Depeche Mode for a comment and the band responded, denying any connection to the movement or Richard Spencer.
In fact, their lyrics in songs such as "People Are People" would express quite the opposite sentiment.
They actually came out against President Donald Trump in interviews over the past few months, comparing him to the figures of fascism and Nazism in the 1930s. Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan has even expressed how heartbroken he was by the reaction of his daughter in the immediate aftermath of November's election.
The rejection by Depeche Mode may not have been the worst thing to happen to Richard Spencer on Thursday; the alt-right leader was kicked out of CPAC by organizers who are trying to separate the conservative stance from the dangerous and controversial populist movement.