As one of the most influential bands of the post-punk era, with global sales in excess of 100 million, Depeche Mode belongs to a select premier league of super groups who have survived from the early 1980s with their ideals, creative vision and core members intact. Formed in 1981, the group's original line-up included Erasure's Vince Clarke, who left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album. Depeche Mode continue to win critical and commercial acclaim across the world both in the studio and on the road.