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, in which Id members Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys and Malcolm Holmes would reunite; Gary Hodgson would also reappear as a technician for the new group. A number of the Id's songs, including "Electricity", were re-recorded by OMD.

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 and played together since 1975. Humphreys went to study electronics at Riversdale College, in Liverpool, where he met Gary Hodgson and Steve Hollas.
The group also included Julia Kneale, Neill Shenton and John Floyd, 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" 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. In December 2002, all three tracks were released as an EP by Engine Records.
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.
The three songs from the Open Eye sessions were re-recorded by OMD for their eponymous debut album in 1980 and "Electricity" was released as the first single. Holmes reunited with McCluskey and Humphreys in 1980 to record the Organisation album and became a member of OMD. Another song by the Id, "Radio Waves", was recorded by OMD for their 1983 album Dazzle Ships. 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

;Personnel