The Id (band)

The Id were a new wave/synthpop band from the Wirral, Merseyside, England formed in 1977. They are best recalled as the precursor to the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), in which Id members Andy McCluskey (bass, vocals), Paul Humphreys (keyboards) and Malcolm Holmes (drums) would reunite; Gary Hodgson (guitar) would also reappear as a technician for the new group. A number of the Id's songs, including "Electricity", were re-recorded by OMD.

This article is about the band. For the Macy Gray album, see The Id (album). For the American horror film, see The Id (film).
The Id
OriginMerseyside, England
GenresSynthpop, post-punk, new wave
Years active1977–1978
Associated actsDalek I Love You, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Listening Pool
Past membersAndy McCluskey
Julia Kneale
Neill Shenton
John Floyd
Malcolm Holmes
Steve Hollas
Gary Hodgson
Paul Humphreys

Formation

The Id formed in September 1977. McCluskey and Humphreys had met each other at school, sharing interests in early electronic artists like Brian Eno and Kraftwerk[1] and played together since 1975. Humphreys went to study electronics at Riversdale College, in Liverpool, where he met Gary Hodgson and Steve Hollas (bass).[2][3]

The group also included Julia Kneale (vocals), Neill Shenton (guitar) and John Floyd (vocals), all of whom had short-lived tenures. The band gigged regularly in the Merseyside area, performing original material largely written by McCluskey and Humphreys.

Recordings

In early 1978 the Id recorded "Electricity", "Julia's Song" (lyrics by Julia Kneale) and "The Misunderstanding" at the Open Eye studio in Liverpool, following advice from Eric's Club owner Roger Eagle. "Julia's Song" was included on the following year's compilation release, Street to Street: A Liverpool Album (Open Eye Records / OE LP 501). In December 2002, all three tracks were released as an EP by Engine Records.[4]

In August 1978 the band split up. McCluskey joined Dalek I Love You the same month, but left within a month to reunite with Humphreys to form OMD.[1]

OMD versions

A new recording of "Electricity" was released as OMD's first single on Factory in 1979. It was again re-recorded by the band for their eponymous debut album, released in February 1980, and re-released as a single. It remains one of the group's best known songs.

A new recording of "Julia's Song" also featured on the album, with Malcolm Holmes contributing percussion. He reunited with McCluskey and Humphreys in 1980 for touring and promotional work for the album (together with Dave Hughes also formerly of Dalek I Love You), and for recording the group's second album Organisation , also featuring a radical re-recording of Id track "The Misunderstanding". Holmes then became a permanent member of OMD.[5]

"Julia's Song" was also recorded for OMD's debut Peel session in August 1979 and "The Misunderstanding", similar to the Organisation version, was recorded for their third session for the DJ in September 1980.

Another song by the Id, "Radio Waves", was recorded by OMD for their 1983 album Dazzle Ships. The track had been co-written by John Floyd.

"Julia's Song" received a further radical re-recording, featuring a brass section, in 1984, when it featured as the B-side to OMD's hit single Talking Loud & Clear.

Gary Hodgson worked as a keyboard technician for OMD during their live performances and has provided similar services for Oasis.

Discography

EP

The Id (2002) UK: Engine Records / ENG 001
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Electricity"Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys4:15
2."Julia's Song"music: McCluskey, Humphreys, lyrics: Julia Kneale4:04
3."The Misunderstanding"McCluskey, Humphreys2:25
Personnel
  • Andy McCluskey - vocals
  • Gary Hodgson - guitar
  • Paul Humphreys - keyboards
  • Steve Hollas - bass
  • Mal Holmes - drums

Compilation appearance
  • Street to Street: A Liverpool Album (1979)
gollark: I'm very respectable opinionistically.
gollark: Plus, Host might consider you less cowardly.
gollark: Like you said, it would be more beeoeieieoeoeoeidal for you to win with all the points.
gollark: There actually is.
gollark: Ignore that.

References
  1. Frame, Pete. Rock Family Tree: "Liverpool 1980: Eric's Progeny".
  2. "Interview with Steve Hollas at Official OMD Website". Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  3. "Interview with Gary Hodgson at Official OMD Website". Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  4. "OMD Discography: The Id". Archived from the original on 16 April 2005. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  5. http://www.electricityclub.co.uk/mal-holmes/
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