Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Wiki
in: 1983, Radio broadcasts, Radio, Dazzle Ships

Radio 1 David Jensen (interview), 28 February 1983

Edit
  • Station: BBC Radio 1 (MW)
  • Show: David Jensen
  • Date: Monday 28 February 1983, 8.00 pm
  • Source: archive cassette recording

OMD[]

  • AM & PH were guests of David Jensen (DJ) for an interview centered around the imminent release of the Dazzle Ships album.
  • The Genetic Engineering single was in the UK charts at no.25 at the time of broadcast and would also be in the same position the following week.
  • OMD also appeared on Top of the Pops the same evening, introduced by Jensen and John Peel.
  • Jensen begins the interview by wishing PH a 'Happy Birthday' which suggests that the interview was recorded on 27 February, ie. the day before the actual broadcast.

Transcription[]

The following is a general description of the interview and not a word for word transcription

  • DJ announces the interview later in the show and plays Radio Waves taken from the new album.
  • Interview begins: DJ says Happy Birthday to PH and asks how he's been spending his birthday. PH recording backing tracks for Saturday Superstore on Saturday. (NB OMD's appearance on the Saturday show is undocumented, although they did perform Genetic Engneering on TOTP the following Thursday).
  • The Dazzle Ships album sleeve is discussed. AM mentions 'our designer' without naming PS.
  • The subject of genetic engineering is discussed. AM says he wanted to highlight the positive aspects of the science, eg. curing diseases etc.
  • DJ says how they have been away "for a long time" (a year!). OMD says they have been writing songs and touring Europe. DJ asks if they are worried they will be out of fashion....
  • Album track Silent Running is played (DJ 'also the name of a film', AM, "we just stole the title")
  • Significance of 'time zones' on the sleeve - AM explains the track and an extract of Time Zones is played. DJ calls it 'absolute madness' although particularly appreciates the 'fantastic stereo effect' in his headphones.
  • Question from listeners: regarding the Telegraph label. AM says it is a substitute for DinDisc which folded. OMD do not envisage having other bands under the label.
  • Dazzle Ships recorded "mostly" at their own studios (Gramophone Suite).
  • "Competition" in Liverpool, Echo & The Bunnymen etc. AM says that although they all started out around the same time, they now all have their own careers.
  • A Flock of Seagulls are mentioned - PH says they used to rehearse "in the hairdressers down the road". An unknown AFOS track is played.
  • Listener asks about possible AM connection with Celtic football club, as they have a player called George McCluskey. AM (first name George) says his father, also called George, played for Celtic. DJ says he also has a great aunt from Glasgow called McCluskey.
  • PH confirms it's Maureen Humphrey's voice on Genetic Engineering.
  • Live album? AM not keen on releasing live material. Says there will be at least one more single from the album.
  • Live tour dates start on 12 March in Northern Irleland followed by Dublin on 13 March. (In the event these dates were cancelled). Tour then resumes 14 April. AM explains that there will be European dates in between - the release of the album is delayed, so the UK tour tour should really have started already.
  • The track Telegraph is discussed. OMD say it was supposed to have been on Architecture & Morality although they only recently 'got it right'. Track is played. Am says it's 'good single material' and will be out in France and Canada soon.
  • Maid of Orleans was a big hit in Europe (except in France).
  • List of instruments of album sleeve is discussed: 'typewriter' in particular. PH: if it makes a noise it's an instrument.
  • The "synthesiser band" label is discussed. AM says he was on Round Table with Mike Smith last week when album tracks were played (possibly Friday 25 Feb.). DJ states that guitars are "unfashionale", although AM retorts that perhaps that was so last year but now they are back and says there is quite a lot of guitar on the album. OMD use a variety of instruments.
  • Listener's question: "Why don't you think you will be remembered in yeas to come?" This may hark back to something that AM said during the A&M album. He still seems to doubt that they will be remembered.
  • End of interview. DJ plays track by Amazulu (possibly debut single Cairo).
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.