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[[File:OMD-81 duo.jpg|thumb|326x326px|McCluskey & Humphreys of OMD, 1981.]]
  
[[File:OMD-81 duo.jpg|thumb|326x326px|McCluskey & Humphreys of OMD, 1981.]]
−
'''Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark '''are a new wave group formed in Liverpool in 1978 by core-members Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys.
+
'''Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark '''are a new wave group formed in Liverpool in 1978 by core-members [[Andy McCluskey]] and [[Paul Humphreys]].
   
 
== History ==
  
== History ==
Line 11: Line 11:
 
In 1991 Andy McCluskey exhumed the cumbersome group name and despite grunge and the return of rock, managed to break the charts again with the album ''[[Sugar Tax]]'' and the electro-heavy yet catchy singles Sailing on the Seven Seas and Pandora's Box. McCluskey, aided mainly by Stuart Kershaw, tried again with ''Liberator'' (1993) and ''Universal'' (1995) but things were brought to a grinding halt in the Brit-pop years.
 
In 1991 Andy McCluskey exhumed the cumbersome group name and despite grunge and the return of rock, managed to break the charts again with the album ''[[Sugar Tax]]'' and the electro-heavy yet catchy singles Sailing on the Seven Seas and Pandora's Box. McCluskey, aided mainly by Stuart Kershaw, tried again with ''Liberator'' (1993) and ''Universal'' (1995) but things were brought to a grinding halt in the Brit-pop years.
 
[[File:OMD 2013.jpg|thumb|259x259px|OMD in 2014]]
  
[[File:OMD 2013.jpg|thumb|259x259px|OMD in 2014]]
−
Nostalgia eventually won through in 2006 when McCluskey and Humphreys got back together again to perform some live dates as a duo, later touring the ''[[Architecture & Morality]]'' album in its entirety with former band mates Martin Cooper and Malcolm Holmes. A brand new album ''[[History of Modern]]'' emerged in 2010 followed by more touring, and another new album ''[[English Electric]]'' was released to critical acclaim in 2013. A third album of the new OMD-era, with relative tour, is set for release in September 2017.
+
Nostalgia eventually won through in 2006 when McCluskey and Humphreys got back together again to perform some live dates as a duo, later touring the ''[[Architecture & Morality]]'' album in its entirety with former band mates Martin Cooper and Malcolm Holmes. A brand new album ''[[History of Modern]]'' emerged in 2010 followed by more touring, and another new album ''[[English Electric]]'' was released to critical acclaim in 2013. A third album of the new OMD-era, ''[[The Punishment of Luxury]]'', was released on [[01 September 2017]].
   
  +
Original drummer and percussionist Malcolm Holmes retired from the group for health reasons in 2013 and has since been replaced by long-time group collaborator Stuart Kershaw.
−
== Significant dates ==
  
−
[[File:1978 Eric's doorway.png|thumb|278x278px]]
  
   
  +
40th anniversary celebrations are planned for 2019.
−
=== 1978 ===
  
−
* [[28 September 1978]] - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is born (first live performance?).
  
−
* [[12 October 1978]]: first (advertised) gig at Eric's Club in Liverpool (?)
  
−
* [[20 October 1978]]: first gig at The Factory, Manchester. Support to Joy Division and Cabaret Voltaire. Tracks included on the 'DEP2' EP released free with early copies of ''[[Organisation]]'' were recorded here.
  
   
−
=== 1979 ===
 +
== Discography ==
  +
* UK only. (UK peak chart placings in brackets)
−
* [[21 May 1979]]: OMD's first single [[Electricity]] released on Factory records (FAC6)
  
  +
* see also [[OMD Singles & B-sides|OMD Singles & B sides]]
−
* [[09 June 1979]]: Radio One DJ [[John Peel]] plays debut single 'Electricity'. He has been given the single by a Factory records representative during a trip to Manchester.
  
  +
{| class="article-table"
−
* [[27 July 1979]]: at a benefit concert in Blackpool (supporting Joy Division) Carol Wilson of Virgin subsidiary DinDisc presents the group with a draft record contract.
  
  +
!Year
−
* [[20 August 1979]]: The group record their first session for [[John Peel]].
  
  +
!Single
−
* [[27 August 1979]]: OMITD play the Leigh Valley festival, on the 'Zoo meets Factory half-way' Bank Holiday Monday third day, also featuring [[Joy Division]], [[Teardrop Explodes]] and [[A Certain Ratio]].[https://www.discogs.com/Various-Leigh-Festival/release/768317]
  
  +
!Album
−
*[[03 September 1979]] - first broadcast of debut John Peel session.
  
  +
|-
−
* [[08 September 1979]]: OMITD play the Futurama festival in Leeds.
  
  +
|1979
−
* [[20 September 1979]]: first major UK tour begins, as support act to [[Gary Numan]].
  
  +
|[[Electricity]] <ref>released initially on Factory records FAC6 then on Dindisc (see page).</ref>
−
* [[28 September 1979]]: first re.issue of [[Electricity]] on DinDisc. Version produced by Martin Hannet and labelled as "A Factory Records Product".
  
  +
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
−
* [[08 October 1979]]: Final night of 16-date Gary Numan tour at Sheffield City Hall.[http://www.nureference.co.uk/Tour%201979%20The%20Touring%20Principle%20UK.htm]
  
  +
|-
−
* [[11 October 1979]]: John Peel plays DinDisc release of [[Electricity]] (Peel remarks that they get "richly slagged off every time they do a gig - must go and see them!".)
  
  +
| rowspan="3" |1980
  +
|Red Frame/White Light
  +
| rowspan="2" |[[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (album)|''Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark'']]
  +
|-
  +
|Electricity <ref>second Dindisc release</ref>
  +
|-
  +
|Enola Gay
  +
|[[Organisation|''Organisation'']]
  +
|-
  +
|1981
  +
|Souvenir
  +
| rowspan="3" |''Architecture and Morality''
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|Joan of Arc
  +
|-
  +
|1982
  +
|Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc) <ref>name changed from original Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) to avoid confusion with previous single</ref>
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |1983
  +
|Genetic Engineering
  +
| rowspan="2" |''Dazzle Ships''
  +
|-
  +
|Telegraph
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="4" |1984
  +
|Locomotion
  +
| rowspan="4" |''[[Junk Culture]] ''<ref>initial copies of album also contained free one-sided 7" single the Angels Keep Turning (The Wheels of the Universe).</ref>
  +
|-
  +
|Talking Loud & Clear
  +
|-
  +
|Tesla Girls
  +
|-
  +
|Never Turn Away
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="3" |1985
  +
|So In Love
  +
| rowspan="3" |''[[Crush]]''
  +
|-
  +
|Secret
  +
|-
  +
|La Femme Accident
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="3" |1986
  +
|If You Leave <ref>from Pretty In Pink soundtrack.</ref>
  +
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|(Forever) Live & Die
  +
| rowspan="3" |''The Pacific Age''
  +
|-
  +
|We Love You
  +
|-
  +
|1987
  +
|Shame <ref>re-recording of The Pacific Age album track</ref>
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |1988
  +
|Dreaming
  +
|''The Best of OMD''
  +
|-
  +
|Brides of Frankenstein <ref>DJ promo import 12"</ref>
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="4" |1991
  +
|Sailing on the Seven Seas
  +
| rowspan="4" |''Sugar Tax''
  +
|-
  +
|Pandora's Box <ref name=":0">remix of album track</ref>
  +
|-
  +
|Then You Turn Away
  +
|-
  +
|Call My Name <ref name=":0" />
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="3" |1993
  +
|Stand Above Me
  +
| rowspan="3" |''Liberator''
  +
|-
  +
|Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)
  +
|-
  +
|Everyday
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |1996
  +
|Walking on the Milky Way
  +
| rowspan="2" |''Universal''
  +
|-
  +
|Universal <ref name=":0" />
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |1998
  +
|The OMD Remixes <ref>EP with remixes of Enola Gay, Souvenir & Electricity</ref>
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|''The OMD Singles''
  +
|-
  +
|2000
  +
|
  +
|''Peel Sessions 1979–1983''
  +
|-
  +
|2001
  +
|
  +
|''Navigation: The OMD B-sides''
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |2008
  +
|
  +
|''Messages - Greatest Hits ''<ref>also features DVD with promo videos</ref>
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|''OMD Live: Architecture & Morality & More''
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="3" |2010
  +
|If You Want It
  +
| rowspan="3" |''History of Modern''
  +
|-
  +
|Sister Marie Says
  +
|-
  +
|History of Modern Pt.1
  +
|-
  +
|2011
  +
|
  +
|''OMD: The History of Modern Tour – Live in Berlin''
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="3" |2013
  +
|Metroland
  +
|''English Electric''
  +
|-
  +
|Dresden
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Night Café
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |2015
  +
|
  +
|''Dazzle Ships Live at the Museum of Liverpool''
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|''Access All Areas ''<ref>1980 live recording</ref>
  +
|-
  +
|2016
  +
|
  +
|''Architecture & Morality/Dazzle Ships Live at the Royal Albert Hall''
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="4" |2017
  +
|Isotype
  +
| rowspan="3" |''[[The Punishment of Luxury]]''
  +
|-
  +
|The Punishment of Luxury
  +
|-
  +
|What Have We Done
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|''The Punishment of Luxury: B-Sides & Bonus Material''
  +
|}
   
−
==== 1980 ====
 +
=== Notes ===
  +
<references />
−
* [[15 February 1980]]: The band begin an extensive tour of the UK starting at Eric's Club in [[Liverpool]]. Touring will continue throughout February, March and April moving on to Europe and the US in late May/early June.
  
−
* [[21 February 1980]]: RF/WL lyrics in Smash Hits
  
−
* [[22 February 1980]]: debut album ''[[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (album)|Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]]'' released.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/4318078034/in/album-72157623317138044/]
  
−
* [[06 March 1980]]: album reviewed by Red Starr in [[Smash Hits]] (7.5/10)
  
−
* [[14 April 1980]]: Second session for John Peel recorded, broadcast on [[21 April 1980]]. New tracks [[Enola Gay]] and [[Motion and Heart]] are heard for the first time.
  
−
* [[15 April 1980]]: live performance of [[Messages]] and Dancing on [[OGWT]].
  
−
* [[02 May 1980]]: re-recorded version of album track [[Messages]] released as a single
  
−
* [[08 May 1980]]: first appearance on TOTP with Messages at no. 53
  
−
* [[29 May 1980]]: Smash Hits feature 'The Acceptable Face of Synthesisers' and second performance of Messages on TOTP.
  
−
* [[28 July 1980]]: Live gig at Nottingham Playhouse, filmed for the ITV's Rockstage programme. The performance will eventually be released in 2015 on CD and DVD as part of the 'Access All Areas' series.
  
−
* [[19 September 1980]]: live performance of Enola Gay at Portsmouth Guildhall, UK, included on ''Urgh! A Music War'' compilation album, released in 1981.[https://www.discogs.com/Various-URGH-A-Music-War/release/382084]
  
−
* [[26 September 1980]]: new single [[Enola Gay]] b/w Annex released on Dindisc.
  
−
* [[29 September 1980]]: Third John Peel session recorded, Peel plays Enola Gay single on his show.
  
−
* [[06 October 1980]]: Third Peel session first broadcast, repeated [[03 November 1980]].
  
−
* [[09 October 1980]]: Enola Gay performed for the first time on TOTP when the single is at no. 35 in the charts.
  
−
* [[23 October 1980]]: repeat studio perfomance of Enola Gay on TOTP.
  
−
* [[24 October 1980]]: ''Organisation'' album released.
  
−
* [[28 October 1980]]: Enola Gay reached peak position of no.8 (for the first time).
  
−
* [[01 November 1980]]: ''Organisation'' tour begins.
  
−
* [[11 November 1980]]: After falling back one place, Enola Gay goes back up to no.8 in the UK charts.
  
−
* [[24 November 1980]]: Live date in Monmartre, Paris.
  
   
−
==== 1981 ====
 +
== Significant dates ==
  +
* see [[OMD chronology]]
−
* 1981-01 / 04: the group continue to tour the USA, Canada and France. Setlists are a mixture of the first two albums although a new track 'She's Leaving' is also performed.
  
−
* [[21 February 1981]]: BBC Radio One broadcast a short set recorded live at the Paris Theatre on [[04 February 1981]]. Some of the group's equipment was stolen before the gig.
  
−
* [[19 March 1981]]: Smash Hits cover photo. The issue carried a free flexi-disc featuring a live version of Pretending To See The Future for which the lyrics are also printed.
  
−
* [[06 August 1981]]: Smash Hits carries the story that the group have been recording demos for their third album expected in October, and that a new single [[Souvenir]] 'should be' out on August 14. It is also reported that [[Enola Gay]] is "a monster in Italy as is the Organisation LP in France". [https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/5543140087/in/photolist-myn9LP-mynf3D-myjSuV-mymFWL-e7JbZu-e7wxRB-e7xwZ5-e7xcq7-dVdnnu-dV7FYp-dV6S2r-dFSsjU-dFLZC6-dFSh4w-dFLAXn-dFLASB-dFLAr8-ceLEgU-ceKHfA-aPhj7k-aPhgHR-aPh1L6-aPgYSZ-aPgYEt-aPgYfz-9Fw8rK-9Fw6K2-9FuCrk-9FuBZn-9FnVUf-9FmUJy-9FmNXm-9FmNxm-9FmNbu-9FmB61-9rQ3qP-97vi6P-97yoTm-97ymCw-8iHHjH-8iHGSz-8iLHjY-8iFo3F-8iJBsb-8iJB73-7U6u9m-7SKvzJ-7SGUKo-7zwbhi-7zzhah]
  
−
* [[25 August 1981]]: new single Souvenir enters the UK charts at no. 41, going up to no. 23 the following week.
  
−
* [[03 September 1981]]: OMD perform Souvenir on [[Top of the Pops]] for the first time. Apart from Paul Humphreys singing (miming) lead vocals for the first time on the show, the line-up also features new member Mike Douglas (playing xylophone!) as well as [[Martin Cooper]] (sax), [[Malcolm Holmes]] (drums) and Andy McCluskey on double bass.
  
−
* [[03 September 1981]]: Smash Hits interview and feature. A group photo features the McCluskey/Hunphreys/Holmes/Douglas "new line-up". The single is reviewed as "ethereal but rather hollow".
  
−
* [[17 September 1981]]: Souvenir is featured again on TOTP although in a repeat of the 1981-09-03 performance. The single is at its peak position of no.3. Smash Hits also give details of a new tour starting in November "assuming they've completed the new LP they're currently labouring over". It is also reported that Martin Cooper has re-joined the band and that Mike Douglas has formed his own band Godot. (Douglas will be playing live with [[The Human League]] within the year).
  
−
* [[15 October 1981]]: new single Joan of Arc (released [[09 October 1981]]?) advertised in Smash Hits as being "from the forthcoming Dindisc album Architecture & Morality".[https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/5696215359/in/album-72157626543055017/]
  
−
* [[20 October 1981]]: Joan of Arc enters UK charts at no.36.
  
−
* [[29 October 1981]]: OMD appear on TOTP to perform Joan of Arc, now at no.21.
  
−
* [[29 October 1981]]. Smash Hits album review (9/10), advertisment and competition to win Architecture & Morality LPs.
  
−
* [[07 November 1981]]: Architecture & Morality tour begins at [[Lancaster University]].
  
−
* [[08 November 1981]]: (possibly 06 November) [[Architecture & Morality|''Architecture &amp; Morality'']] album released .
  
−
* [[12 November 1981]]: Repeat showing of TOTP perfomance of Joan of Arc. The single is at its peak position of no.5 and will remain there for one more week.
  
−
* [[14 November 1981]]: Architecture & Morality enters the UK album charts at no. 5, climbing to no. 3 a week later (kept off the top spot by Adam & the Ants and Queen).
  
−
* [[04 December 1981]]: concert at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London filmed and recorded and later released on VHS.
  
−
* [[25 December 1981]]: New performance of Souvenir on TOTP Christmas Day show featuring the "classic" four-piece line-up for the first time.
  
   
 
== External links ==
  
== External links ==
Line 81: Line 192:
 
* Musicbrainz
  
* Musicbrainz
 
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/9462-Orchestral-Manoeuvres-In-The-Dark Discogs]
  
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/9462-Orchestral-Manoeuvres-In-The-Dark Discogs]
  +
* [https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wJ9NwdRWtN92NunmXuwBk?si=ar2Zl8XdQ5Gy9t59dqaCKg Spotify]
 
* [https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark-73d6ba31.html Setlist.fm]
  
* [https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark-73d6ba31.html Setlist.fm]
 
* [https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=OMD&user_id=51106326%40N00&sort=date-posted-desc Smash Hits tagged pages]
  
* [https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=OMD&user_id=51106326%40N00&sort=date-posted-desc Smash Hits tagged pages]
 
* [http://www.gettyimages.it/immagine/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark?excludenudity=false&sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=orchestral%20manoeuvres%20in%20the%20dark&family=editorial#license Getty Images]
  
* [http://www.gettyimages.it/immagine/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark?excludenudity=false&sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=orchestral%20manoeuvres%20in%20the%20dark&family=editorial#license Getty Images]
  +
* ''A Beginner's Guide to OMD'', [http://www.electricityclub.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-omd/ electricityclub.co.uk]
 
[[Category:Groups]]
  
[[Category:Groups]]
 
[[Category:OMD]]
  
[[Category:OMD]]

Revision as of 13:17, 6 May 2020

OMD-81 duo

McCluskey & Humphreys of OMD, 1981.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a new wave group formed in Liverpool in 1978 by core-members Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys.

History

Originally an experimental outfit featuring home-made keyboards, electronic sound effects recorded with the help of their reel-to-reel tape recorder Winston, some bass guitar and voice, the duo gradually moved towards more melodic compositions, releasing their first single 'Electricity' b/w 'Almost' on Manchester's Factory label. The pair were soon snapped up by Virgin subsidiary Dindisc and 1980 singles Messages and even more prominently Enola Gay made Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, by now OMD, a household name with two albums (their eponymous debut and Organisation) to their name within the year.

Greater success came almost 12 months later with top 10 singles Souvenir and two songs about the French saint Joan of Arc, all featured on the million-selling album Architecture & Morality, which took the electronic experimental zeitgeist of 1981, mixing strong melodies and unusual subject matter, to the upper ranges of the album charts. By now the group had also become a consolidated four-piece with Humphreys and McCluskey joined on stage and in the studio by Malcolm Holmes on drums and Martin Cooper on keyboards and other instruments.

OMD 1986

An expanded OMD in 1986

Their success was however quick to diminish with the follow up Dazzle Ships in 1983 when pop music was already less in favour of experimentalism, albeit still in symbiosis with catchy melodies. Songs about genetic engineering and the demise of the telegraphic system were no longer chart fodder. Some ground was regained in 1984 with Junk Culture and a series of strong singles, followed by Crush in 1985 and The Pacific Age in 1986, although the latter two suffered too much from an over zealous effort to break the US market. A first Greatest Hits collection followed in 1988 although the duo of Humphreys and McCluskey had already called it a day.

In 1991 Andy McCluskey exhumed the cumbersome group name and despite grunge and the return of rock, managed to break the charts again with the album Sugar Tax and the electro-heavy yet catchy singles Sailing on the Seven Seas and Pandora's Box. McCluskey, aided mainly by Stuart Kershaw, tried again with Liberator (1993) and Universal (1995) but things were brought to a grinding halt in the Brit-pop years.

OMD 2013

OMD in 2014

Nostalgia eventually won through in 2006 when McCluskey and Humphreys got back together again to perform some live dates as a duo, later touring the Architecture & Morality album in its entirety with former band mates Martin Cooper and Malcolm Holmes. A brand new album History of Modern emerged in 2010 followed by more touring, and another new album English Electric was released to critical acclaim in 2013. A third album of the new OMD-era, The Punishment of Luxury, was released on 01 September 2017.

Original drummer and percussionist Malcolm Holmes retired from the group for health reasons in 2013 and has since been replaced by long-time group collaborator Stuart Kershaw.

40th anniversary celebrations are planned for 2019.

Discography

Year Single Album
1979 Electricity [1] -
1980 Red Frame/White Light Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Electricity [2]
Enola Gay Organisation
1981 Souvenir Architecture and Morality
Joan of Arc
1982 Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc) [3]
1983 Genetic Engineering Dazzle Ships
Telegraph
1984 Locomotion Junk Culture [4]
Talking Loud & Clear
Tesla Girls
Never Turn Away
1985 So In Love Crush
Secret
La Femme Accident
1986 If You Leave [5] -
(Forever) Live & Die The Pacific Age
We Love You
1987 Shame [6]
1988 Dreaming The Best of OMD
Brides of Frankenstein [7]
1991 Sailing on the Seven Seas Sugar Tax
Pandora's Box [8]
Then You Turn Away
Call My Name [8]
1993 Stand Above Me Liberator
Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)
Everyday
1996 Walking on the Milky Way Universal
Universal [8]
1998 The OMD Remixes [9]
The OMD Singles
2000 Peel Sessions 1979–1983
2001 Navigation: The OMD B-sides
2008 Messages - Greatest Hits [10]
OMD Live: Architecture & Morality & More
2010 If You Want It History of Modern
Sister Marie Says
History of Modern Pt.1
2011 OMD: The History of Modern Tour – Live in Berlin
2013 Metroland English Electric
Dresden
Night Café
2015 Dazzle Ships Live at the Museum of Liverpool
Access All Areas [11]
2016 Architecture & Morality/Dazzle Ships Live at the Royal Albert Hall
2017 Isotype The Punishment of Luxury
The Punishment of Luxury
What Have We Done
The Punishment of Luxury: B-Sides & Bonus Material

Notes

  1. ↑ released initially on Factory records FAC6 then on Dindisc (see page).
  2. ↑ second Dindisc release
  3. ↑ name changed from original Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) to avoid confusion with previous single
  4. ↑ initial copies of album also contained free one-sided 7" single the Angels Keep Turning (The Wheels of the Universe).
  5. ↑ from Pretty In Pink soundtrack.
  6. ↑ re-recording of The Pacific Age album track
  7. ↑ DJ promo import 12"
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 remix of album track
  9. ↑ EP with remixes of Enola Gay, Souvenir & Electricity
  10. ↑ also features DVD with promo videos
  11. ↑ 1980 live recording

Significant dates

External links

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