Electronic (band)
English supergroup fusing rock, pop, and dance music.
Electronic were an English alternative dance supergroup, formed when Bernard Sumner, the singer and guitarist from New Order, joined forces with Johnny Marr, the guitarist from the Smiths. Between 1989 and 1998, the pair wrote most of their music together. Early on, they worked with the synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys on three songs, and in 1995, they collaborated with Karl Bartos, formerly of Kraftwerk, on three tracks for their 1996 album 'Electronic': 'Forbidden City', 'For You', and 'Second Nature'.
The two first met in 1984, when Marr played on a track by Quando Quango that Sumner was producing. In 1988, Sumner grew frustrated because his New Order bandmates weren't keen on his idea of adding synth programming to their sound. He decided to make a solo album but disliked working alone, so he called Marr for help. Inspired by Italo house and acts like Technotronic, they initially planned to release anonymous white label records on Factory, hiding their famous identities. The track "Lucky Bag" and the name Electronic itself are leftovers from this early idea. Their debut single, "Getting Away with It," came out in December 1989 and sold about 350,000 copies. ABC's David Palmer played drums on it, and Anne Dudley wrote the string arrangement. It became a Top 40 hit in the US the following spring, and they toured as support for Depeche Mode in August 1990. After that success, Sumner and Marr moved in a more commercial direction, mixing synthesizers, guitars, and analogue technology while keeping an alternative rock foundation.
Their self-titled debut album, Electronic, came out after a year of intensive recording, 18 months after the first single. It was critically praised and sold well in the UK, featuring the Top 10 single "Get the Message" and another Top 40 hit, "Feel Every Beat." The album sold over a million copies worldwide. The band kept their interest in dance music by having DJs remix their singles and album tracks, a practice they continued throughout their career. Remixers included Danny Rampling, DNA, Dave Shaw, and Mike Pickering of Quando Quango and the Haçienda. After promoting the first album, Marr and Sumner worked on projects with The The and New Order respectively, then regrouped with Neil Tennant in 1992 to record "Disappointed," their fourth single and highest-charting one.
- Formed
- 1988
- Origin
- England
- Genre
- Alternative dance
- Key members
- Bernard Sumner, Johnny Marr
- Notable collaborators
- Pet Shop Boys, Karl Bartos
- Debut single
- Getting Away with It (1989)
- Albums
- 3 studio albums (1991–1999)
Lore & Background
The two first met in 1984 when the Smiths guitarist contributed to a Quando Quango track that Sumner was producing. Later in 1988, Sumner was frustrated because his New Order bandmates were not receptive to his desire to add synth programming to their music. He decided to produce a solo album but found that he did not enjoy working alone, so he called Marr for help. Inspired by contemporary dance music like Italo house and acts such as Technotronic, their initial concept was to release white label records on Factory and remain an anonymous entity, in contrast to their considerable reputations with The Smiths and New Order. The track 'Lucky Bag' and the name Electronic itself are two of the vestiges of this initial approach.
The fruits of this union became 'Getting Away with It', Electronic's debut single which was released in December 1989 and sold around 350,000 copies. The drums on this record were played by ABC's David Palmer and the string arrangement was written by Anne Dudley. It was a Top 40 hit in America the following spring and they toured in support for Depeche Mode in August 1990. After this success, Sumner and Marr took a more commercial direction, blending synthesizers, guitars and analogue technology while retaining the template of contemporary alternative rock.
After a year of intensive recording, the debut album Electronic was released to critical acclaim and domestic commercial success, featuring the Top 10 single 'Get the Message' and another Top 40 single, 'Feel Every Beat'. The album sold over a million copies worldwide. Electronic continued their interest in dance music by inviting DJs to remix their singles and album tracks. After the first album, Marr and Sumner recorded albums with The The and New Order respectively, regrouping with Neil Tennant in 1992 to record their fourth and highest-charting single 'Disappointed'.
Reader's Guide
Electronic's significance lies in their fusion of alternative rock with dance music, bridging the gap between the indie and club scenes of the late 1980s and 1990s. Formed by two iconic figures from the Smiths and New Order, the band initially sought anonymity but quickly achieved commercial success with their debut single and album. Their collaborations with Pet Shop Boys and Karl Bartos highlighted their openness to electronic influences, while their later work with Doves and Black Grape members showed a shift toward a more conventional band sound. Though they never formally disbanded, both members moved on to other projects, and Marr later stated the band had reached 'its natural conclusion.' Their legacy includes a million-selling debut album and a string of charting singles that helped define alternative dance.
Did You Know?
- The band's debut single 'Getting Away with It' sold around 350,000 copies.
- Electronic's debut album sold over a million copies worldwide.
- They collaborated with former Kraftwerk member Karl Bartos on nine songs in 1995.
- Marr and Sumner performed together at Jodrell Bank in July 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Electronic (band)?
Electronic is an English alternative dance supergroup built around two legendary guitarists: Bernard Sumner of New Order and Johnny Marr of the Smiths. Formed in 1988, the duo blended rock, pop, and electronic dance music into a distinctive sound.
How did Electronic (band) form?
The pair first crossed paths in 1984 when Johnny Marr played guitar on a track Bernard Sumner was producing for the project Quando Quango. Their partnership solidified in 1988, and between 1989 and 1998 the two wrote most of their material together.
What are Electronic (band)'s notable collaborations?
Early in their career the duo worked with synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys on three tracks. In 1995 they also teamed up with Karl Bartos, the former Kraftwerk member, to write three songs—including 'Forbidden City,' 'For You,' and 'Second Nature'—for their 1996 self-titled album.
What was Electronic (band)'s debut release?
Their first single, 'Getting Away with It,' arrived in 1989 and immediately established their signature fusion of guitar-driven rock with electronic dance rhythms.
Why is Electronic (band) important in British music?
By uniting two of Britain's most iconic guitarists and merging their rock sensibilities with dance and pop production, Electronic carved out a unique niche in the late-'80s and '90s alternative scene. Their work proved that a supergroup collaboration could produce something genuinely new rather than simply a sum of its parts.
More in British rock music supergroups 1-24
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