(Andy and Paul of OMD - All things New Wave and Synth)
By 1986, when The Pacific Age was released, OMD had gone through a subtle but distinctive change. When their first hit Electricity came out, it was in the solid footsteps of bands like Kraftwerk, whom they were most closely associated with. Later, around the time of their second single, Enola Gay they had already undergone a change of direction, heading into New Romantic territory, while still keeping swatches of Synthpop in their makeup. Their third hit single, Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans) came in full-on the coat tails of the New Romantic period. So when (Forever) Live and Die was issued it was still synthpop-based but with more in the spirit of New Wave and it was this point where OMD (after more or less dropping the full title of Orchestral Maneuvers In the Dark) hit their stride to become one of the more enduring bands of the 80's.
Still around and still touring, they were another band I had the pleasure to work with on a few videos and, as was the case with Wang Chung, good sports about the whole thing and were even spotted carrying light stands, helping out the Grip Department between setups.
Can't complain about that - one little bit.
