Mal Holmes, mid 1980s
Malcolm Holmes (b. 28 July 1960) is a British drummer, and was an Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark collaborator and band member between 1979 and 2013. Previous to playing with OMD he was also a member of The Id.
Holmes is first credited on an OMD recording as playing 'percussion' on the track Julia's Song on the debut Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark album. He joined Humphreys and McCuskey on the first OMITD tour together with Dave Hughes, forming the first OMD four-piece. He then appeared on the group's two Top of the Pops performances of Messages and on the live The Old Grey Whistle Test performance in April 1980.
He is credited with 'drums and acoustic percussion' on OMD's second album Organisation, where his contribution is particularly notable on hit single Enola Gay. His performance of the song on Top of the Pops (and in the promo video) is also memorable for playing his electronic drum kit standing up. He continued to record and play live with OMD throughout the 80s, on all their tours and album releases. Together with Martin Cooper he was the part of 'the other two', next to leading band members Humphreys & McCluskey and rarely took part in interviews.
When the band split up at the end of the 1980s Holmes joined forces with Humphreys and Cooper to become part of The Listening Pool, who released their only album Still Life in 1994. He also credited as song writer on this album.
Holmes in 2015
He re-joined OMD when they reformed in 2006 continuing to play drums and percussion on the History of Modern and English Electric albums and tours. On 19 July 2013, while playing live at the Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, Canada, Holmes collapsed on stage and was subjected to immediate emergency treatment for his heart, which had reportedly stopped. He has since retired from OMD although continues to work in the music industry and has since written and produced his own music.
Malcolm Holmes was later replaced by Stuart Kershaw as OMD's drummer. Kershaw had worked with Andy McCluskey writing and playing drums for OMD in the 1990s.
- See also: What links here
External links[]
- realmalholmes (twitter account)
- Discogs.com
- MAL HOLMES Interview, www.electricityclub.co.uk, published 31-10-2010
- Interview on northerntransmissions.com, published 20-10-2015