ANDY McCLUSKEY Interview by Johnny Normal

Catching up with OMD in lockdown mode… The current Coronavirus crisis has completely changed the landscape of the music industry, with the live circuit effectively coming to a dead halt. But the lockdown has also lead to a spurt of … Read More

Happy Birthday ANDY McCLUSKEY

Andy McCluskey celebrates his birthday today, offering Messages a chance to reflect on Andy’s commentary on being part of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark for nearly 40 years. In interviews Andy has always been effusive and engaging, while also presenting … Read More

SASH! Q&A

This kiss you give, it’s never going to fade away… 1998 saw the release of The OMD Singles – a compilation album designed to showcase the best of OMD’s single releases. The album had originally been conceived as a double … Read More

JO MOONEY INTERVIEW 2003

2003 saw Mal Holmes working with singer Jo Mooney on a series of songs that captured a soulful, reflective element. This archive interview reveals her thoughts at the time… Can you tell me a little about your background and interest … Read More

PHIL COXON INTERVIEW 1993

Exploring OMD’s ’90s days… The release of Liberator in 1993 saw a continuation of Andy McCluskey’s desire to keep the OMD name relevant by giving a nod to contemporary trends in music at the time. As with Sugar Tax, Andy … Read More

BRETT WICKENS INTERVIEW

OMD’s design history revealed… OMD’s history is marked not only by some classic records, but also some classic designs. The sleeves for releases such as Architecture & Morality, Souvenir, Maid Of Orleans and Dazzle Ships are iconic designs that have … Read More

AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL COLLISTER

OMD’s first manager in conversation… The early years of OMD were bolstered by the talents of Paul Collister who acted as the band’s first manager – as well as supplying the tape recorder known as ‘Winston’ that formed a crucial … Read More

AN INTERVIEW WITH CAROL WILSON

The DinDisc Connection… Carol Wilson played an integral role in OMD’s transition to commercial success by signing the band to the DinDisc record label. As founder and manager of the label (which was an independent operation under the Virgin label) … Read More

ABE JUCKES INTERVIEW

The return of OMD in the 1990s saw a surge of renewed interest in the band, especially with the success of Sugar Tax and subsequent live concerts. OMD’s live shows introduced a whole new generation of fans to OMD – … Read More

2003 MAL HOLMES INTERVIEW

Following on from his involvement in post-OMD outfit The Listening Pool, Mal Holmes launched new record label Fin Music. Fin managed to put out the critically acclaimed album Loser Friendly by Dean Johnson and at the time of this interview … Read More

ANDY McCLUSKEY Q&A 1998

From the OMD archives… In 1998 during the very early days of the Official OMD Website, fans were invited to submit questions to Andy McCluskey for a Questions and Answers session. This was the year in which the OMD Singles … Read More

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROB FINIGHAN

In 2006, Cardiff-based independent television producer ROB FINIGHAN approached Andy McCluskey with the suggestion of an OMD documentary. With OMD reforming it seemed the right time to capture a picture of the band as they returned to both live performances … Read More

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDY McCLUSKEY 2009

“I’m conceited enough to think that we did rather a good job…” 2009 marked a significant year in OMD’s history with the band performing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the summer, while the autumn schedule included OMD touring … Read More

AN INTERVIEW WITH HAMBI HARALAMBOUS 2008

“I realised what a great honour it was to be creating images and visuals for songs that millions of people had already heard and loved…” From the days of Eric’s Club through to the creation of The Pink Museum and … Read More

PAUL HUMPHREYS INTERVIEW 2004

“We’re pretty much virtual these days…” Paul Humphreys needs little introduction as one of the pioneering people in the UK electronic music scene. As well as being a founder-member of OMD, Paul had previously been part of The Id and … Read More

An Interview With ADRIAN PRATT

Adrian Pratt was a former member of Pegasus and also founder-member of Hitlerz Underpantz – both pre-OMD bands that Andy and/or Paul were involved with. Adrian was also involved in other Liverpool bands such as Mr Grumbold before developing an … Read More

THE ID : GARY HODGSON INTERVIEW

“We became more serious in time…” Gary Hodgson played guitar with pre-OMD outfit The Id during each of the band’s various line-ups. Post-Id, Gary is probably better known as keyboard technician for various bands including OMD and Oasis. Gary also … Read More

THE ID : STEVE HOLLAS INTERVIEW

“I’d always been involved in music…” Originally from the USA, Steve Hollas became part of the Wirral music scene after moving to the UK. With the formation of The Id, Steve took on bass player duties and performed with the … Read More

THE ID : MAL HOLMES INTERVIEW

“I ended up with a bass amp on top of my head!” Although Mal Holmes is best known for his drumming talents in OMD, he was also part of earlier outfit The Id. Here he discusses life in the pre-OMD … Read More

AN INTERVIEW WITH JULIA KNEALE

A means to an end… A former member of pre-OMD outfit The Id, Julia Kneale occupied an important role in the formative years of the popular synthpop band. Already a published writer prior to Joining The Id, Julia is perhaps … Read More

TOM SKIPP Interview

If there’s one thing that has stood out with the launch of OMD’s 2013 album release English Electric it’s the design aspect of the album and subsequent releases. From the FAC6 homage of the limited edition metal box set to … Read More

ANDY McCLUSKEY INTERVIEW 2011 PART 2

With the release of their post-reformation album History Of Modern, OMD embarked on a tour which took them back to the USA in 2011. In the second part of this exclusive interview, Lori Tarchala spoke to Andy McCluskey a few … Read More

ANDY McCLUSKEY INTERVIEW 2011

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s founding members Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys have been making music together since the mid ’70s. They were eventually enlarged to a quartet when Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper joined the team and together they … Read More

AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL HUMPHREYS 2005

In 2005 plans were already underway to remaster and reissue OMD’s 1983 album Dazzle Ships. Meanwhile, Paul Humphreys was in the process of writing material for the then-forthcoming OneTwo album Instead. This interview captured Paul’s thoughts on the reissue of … Read More

Andy McCluskey Interview 2005

“I’m changing the plot basically…” With the OMD reformation heralding a new OMD album and tour plus a DVD, unreleased material album and Dazzle Ships reissue in the pipeline, it’s going to be a busy time for Andy McCluskey. This … Read More

MAL HOLMES INTERVIEW 2003

2003 saw Mal Holmes working with singer Jo Mooney on a series of songs that captured a soulful, reflective element. This archive interview reveals his thoughts at the time… What’s the plan of action with the EP? I’ve sussed out … Read More

OMD Clarks TV Advert

Electric shoes for me… In 2002 ‘Electricity’ was chosen as the music for one of a series of TV ads for the UK by Clarks Shoes. Messages asked Marketing Manager Ted Hart about the story behind the choice… Why did … Read More

ARCHITECTURE & MORALITY INTERVIEW : MARTIN COOPER

“It is my favourite all-time OMD album…” In 1981 OMD released what has largely been regarded as their most definitive album release. Architecture & Morality brought OMD both public and critical appraisal augmented by the success of the singles ‘Souvenir’, … Read More

ARCHITECTURE & MORALITY INTERVIEW : MAL HOLMES

“For me it’s still one of the strongest albums…” In 1981 OMD released what has largely been regarded as their most definitive album release. Architecture & Morality brought OMD both public and critical appraisal augmented by the success of the … Read More

ORGANISATION INTERVIEW: PAUL HUMPHREYS

Arriving in the latter part of 1980, Organisation followed up the ‘garage synthpop’ of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark with an album of Gothic moods that included the classic ‘Enola Gay’. In 2003 the album was reissued featuring remastered tracks … Read More

ORGANISATION INTERVIEW: MAL HOLMES

Arriving in the latter part of 1980, Organisation followed up the ‘garage synthpop’ of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark with an album of Gothic moods that included the classic ‘Enola Gay’. In 2003 the album was reissued featuring remastered tracks … Read More

ORGANISATION INTERVIEW: ANDY McCLUSKEY

Arriving in the latter part of 1980, Organisation followed up the ‘garage synthpop’ of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark with an album of Gothic moods that included the classic ‘Enola Gay’. In 2003 the album was reissued featuring remastered tracks … Read More

OMITD INTERVIEW : MAL HOLMES

“Whatever OMD had was really fixed in concrete on that first album…” Originally released in 1980, OMD’s debut album Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark featured some of the most iconic OMD songs, including ‘Electricity’, ‘Bunker Soldiers’ and ‘Messages’. The sleeve … Read More

OMITD INTERVIEW : MARTIN COOPER

“It’s a really good, fresh album…” Originally released in 1980, OMD’s debut album Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark featured some of the most iconic OMD songs, including ‘Electricity’, ‘Bunker Soldiers’ and ‘Messages’. The sleeve design (by Peter Saville and Ben … Read More

OMITD INTERVIEW : PAUL HUMPHREYS

“Lots of songs about inanimate objects, relationships and science!” Originally released in 1980, OMD’s debut album Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark featured some of the most iconic OMD songs, including ‘Electricity’, ‘Bunker Soldiers’ and ‘Messages’. The sleeve design (by Peter … Read More

OMITD INTERVIEW : ANDY McCLUSKEY

“It was two teenagers in somebody’s back room who decided to do it themselves…” Originally released in 1980, OMD’s debut album Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark featured some of the most iconic OMD songs, including ‘Electricity’, ‘Bunker Soldiers’ and ‘Messages’. … Read More

ANDY McCLUSKEY INTERVIEW 2002

In 2002 during an active time in terms of OMD releases, and prior to the release of The Id EP, Andy McCluskey reflected on OMD’s past, present and future including the forthcoming unreleased material album Looking back with a sense … Read More