To add my part to the 30 year celebration of one of my musical heroes, Orbital, I wrote a poem about my experiences growing up listening to the band back in the 90s. They had a huge impact on my listening habits back in the early days and I must have scribbled their logo a million times. When I started making music, I definitely took some of their influences along with me along for the ride. I loved how they put so much colour and depth into an album, with so many intricate moving parts. It ended up being a symphony of electronic madness, all working blissfully in harmony. Big up P&P, thank you for the good times!
Growing up with the Orbital sound,
30 years breaking electronic ground.
Brothers Hartnoll’s musical scribes,
transforming lives with wonky vibes
Peace or Annihilation,
it was my first Choice,
Loud rave stabs, multi layered leads
and an angry protest voice.
With the haunting organs at Midnight,
I knew I was fully hooked,
the Impact at Glastonbury,
had everybody shook.
There is the theory of the back catalogue,
where albums are played on loop.
In 1995, It was finally time,
to explore the dynamic group.
Brown and Green albums alongside Snivilisation,
song selection was a solid foundation,
of mesmerising synths, large leads, experimental beats,
where Halcyon’s heavenly vocal meets.
And on, next to a Peel,
remixes provided new fuel,
thought-provoking sounds
for the dance floor crew.
From bringing Lush 3.5
to the techno nation,
through to the rave,
Moby’s hi-Speed Freak mutation.
Belfast plays,
when rising suns overtake the night.
Times fly fast
with Tranquilliser’s arpeggio delight.
Satan live on Jools,
broadcast to a brand new crowd,
a bigger audience now awaits
to hear Chime played loud.
Soundtrack duties in Mortal Kombat,
Human Traffic and the Saint.
Artists for the big screen,
a new canvas ready for paint.
The Box became a masterpiece,
beauty builds and builds again.
Wipeout wouldn’t be the same,
without P.E.T.R.O.L for the plane.
True underground pirates,
forever searching,
live masters of their trade.
With their cry of survival,
ringing in our ears,
their legacy will never fade.
What would God say?
Are they here?
Orbital are totally unique,
and utterly special out there.
Somewhere.
Paul B Write On 