Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys started Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in 1978 after playing together in a series of bands dating back to their school days. Joy Division had first recorded their post-punk sound that year and Depeche Mode were two years from forming, while McCluskey and Humphreys had been looking for a sound in opposition to what they saw as an oversaturation of macho-posturing, guitar-driven bands.
Inspired by Kraftwerk and Brian Eno, they began playing live and were invited to tour with Gary Numan after the synth-pop pioneer saw them open for Joy Division. Their self-titled 1980 debut was minimalist synth-pop, and OMD had several hits as they expanded their lineup and experimented musically over the course of three albums. They went in a poppier direction for 1984’s Junk Culture, which was a commercial hit and led to airplay in the hippest U.S. radio markets.
Humphreys left in 1988 after OMD scored with “If You Leave,” from the Pretty In Pink soundtrack, and McCluskey put OMD to rest in 1996. Humphreys reunited with McCluskey a decade later, and in 2011 were joined by golden-era member Martin Cooper for a North American tour. And yes, McCluskey still dances like the Tasmanian Devil on MDA.
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, starting at $35 plus tax and fee, 21+. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
