orchestral manoeuvres in the dark (omd)
formed in 1978 in Wirral, Merseyside, England
Members:
Andy McCluskey - vocals, bass guitar
Paul Humphreys - keyboards, vocals
Martin Cooper - assorted instruments
Stuart Kershaw - drums
Past Members
Dave Hughes
Michael Douglas
Graham Weir
Neil Weir
Phil Coxon
Nigel Ipinson
Abe Jukes
Malcolm Holmes
Synth pop songs:
do you know this about OMD?
Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys founded orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. They met in primary school, and as teenagers, joined separate groups, but both shared an aversion for the current "macho" guitar rock.
In 1980 the anti-war song, "Enola Gay," is a hit and boosts their popularity in Europe.
In 1989 Humphreys started a separate band, The Listening Pool, and McCluskey became the only member left in Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. At least they released a "Best Of" album the year before.
In 1975 Andy McCluskey took his band Equinox on tour with bandmate Malcolm Holmes and roadie Paul Humphreys. Throughout this time, Kraftwerk profoundly impacted the development of their electronic style.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark comes from McClusky's bedroom wall, where he wrote ideas and lyrics—chosen for the names non-punk sound.
In 1979 after watching OMD open for Joy Division, Gary Numan asked them to go with him on his first UK tour, giving them their first big break.
Their album, "Architecture & Morality," produced three TOP 5 singles and sold over 4 million copies.