THE COMEBACK of a seminal British pop group who have sold over 40 million records is being spearheaded by a computer prodigy from Rugby.
First class honours student Cameron Snook chose to re-model the website of his favourite band, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), for his final year web design project while studying IT and Multimedia Computing at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).
The band – who have scored big hits with Enola Gay, Souvenir and Sailing on the Seven Seas during their near-40 year career – were so pleased with Cameron’s work they adopted the new site to launch their comeback, with new album The Punishment of Luxury on the way in September.
The website created by Cameron, 22, was only intended to be a prototype for his coursework – but that all changed when he got in touch with OMD.
He said: “I was extremely flattered with the great feedback I got from the record company and from (OMD singer, bassist and co-founder) Andy McCluskey.
“Being involved with the band in this way was a huge honour and privilege as a huge fan of the band. To be able to give something back was hugely rewarding.”
Andy McCluskey said the band were ‘absolutely thrilled’ with Cameron’s efforts.
He said: “Since coming to us, offering to make our website mobile and tablet friendly, Cameron’s project has evolved into a fully-fledged new site, which we will be using for the next few years. It is a real step up from the site we had before.
“Cameron’s dedication when presented with new and unfamiliar challenges has been much appreciated and it’s been a delight working with him. We look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.”
Cameron discovered OMD in his early teens, and was instantly hooked when his parents played him Enola Gay for the first time.
“It was the first time I’d really listened to synth-pop and I loved it,” he said.
“OMD have such a unique body of work that contains so many songs that have been hugely important and influential to me.
“I’ve also been fortunate to see OMD live twice. Their Royal Albert Hall gig was one of the best experiences of my life – little did I know then what was still to come – and I will never forget it.
“I have also had the pleasure of meeting Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys and Martin Cooper from the band and they are three of the nicest, most down to earth people you could ever meet.”
Cameron will continue to host and update the site as required – and is looking towards a career in web design.
“This experience has been life changing for me and provided me with valuable experience to include right at the top of my CV. It has been the perfect way to start my career and I’m excited to see what happens next after university.
“I’ll be honest – it still hasn’t sunk in properly, and probably won’t until the album is released.”
Visit www.omd.uk.com to see Cameron’s handiwork.
