Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, often abbreviated to OMD, is a British synthpop and electronic group from Meols in the Wirral. It forms in 1978, when Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys begin working together after playing in earlier bands including The Id. The core line-up expands with drummer Malcolm Holmes and saxophonist Martin Cooper.

McCluskey and Humphreys remain the central members until the group splits in 1989. After that, McCluskey continues to record and tour under the OMD name with a new line-up until 1996, while Humphreys, Holmes and Cooper form The Listening Pool. The group reforms in 2006 for live work and a new album, with the original 1980s members back in place.

OMD’s music sits within new wave, synthpop and related electronic styles, including alternative dance, art pop, dance-pop and minimal synth. The group’s early singles include Enola Gay, which becomes the first of seven UK Top 10 singles. Its only US hit is If You Leave, written for the film Pretty in Pink.

The group’s studio albums include History of Modern, English Electric, The Punishment of Luxury and Bauhaus Staircase. A 2007 tour features a full performance of Architecture & Morality alongside a greatest-hits set, and many shows end with The Romance of the Telescope.

OMD’s later line-up includes Malcolm Holmes, David Hughes, Martin Cooper, Michael Douglas, Graham Weir, Neil Weir, Stuart Kershaw, Phil Coxon, Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey.