Group Four
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The Massive Deal
Robert Del Naja (3D) was a pretty busy graffiti artist in the '80s. So busy that he didn't really notice the cops surrounding him one rainy Bristol night while he was painting. He was arrested and agreed to do his part in their community service effort. "Mushroom" Vowles and "Daddy G" Marshall were a part of the pioneering DJ sound collective called The Wild Bunch. The Wild Bunch became a huge force in the Bristol dance scene for their seamless integration of music from punk to reggae to hip hop and R&B. Their credo was "to create music around art." The Wild Bunch, their club parties and subsequent influence became so huge they eventually became casualties of their own success. Eventually The Wild Bunch folded and in 1987 Mushroom and Daddy G created Massive Attack from its ashes. Nellee Hooper, another member of The Wild Bunch, teamed up with SoulIISoul, but still collaborated with Massive on arrangements and production.
Mushroom and Daddy G then teamed up with 3D who was laying low, and formed the trio that would come to be known as pioneers of electronic music. "Daydreaming" was the first single to come from the group and it featured the ethereal vocals of Shara Nelson, as well as the understated growls and grunts of another Wild Bunch alum, Tricky. A few more successful singles followed, including "Unfinished Sympathy" and "Safe from Harm," and in 1991 the group put out their first full-length album including these and other newer tracks called Blue Lines. Ironically, Blue Lines wasn't the smash hit most consider it today. However, it was met with much critical acclaim and did become an instant classic in the Bristol scene. Shara Nelson soon left Massive Attack after Blue Lines for a solo career and strangely enough, Massive Attack were forced to change their name to Massive due to political pressure from the U.N. over tension with Iran. Three years later Massive Attack returned with their name intact and a glorious new album, Protection. Protection again featured Tricky on vocals as well as newcomer Nicolette and Everything But The Girl's Tracy Thorn. The album was another huge hit with the critics and fans, and spawned three hit singles and an entire remixed album put out by The Mad Professor called No Protection.
Over the next few years, Massive Attack spent most of their time doing remixes for artists including Garbage and Madonna. Finally in 1997, the group released the "Rising Son EP" to promote their appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, and in 1998 they released their third full album, Mezzanine. Mezzanine, an incredible mixture of dub, hip-hop and rock, featured the vocals of The Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser, newcomer Sara Jay, and longtime Massive collaborator and renowned reggae singer Horace Andy. Mezzanine was an incredible success on the charts and on the streets. Critics and fans worldwide embraced Massive's dark blend of electronic dub and pop. Massive now run their own label called Melankolic which features releases from Horace Andy, the Massive-esque Alpha, and Massive string arranger Craig Armstrong. Recently, Mushroom reportedly left the band to pursue different endeavors, but Daddy G and 3D are still very devoted to the band and are currently working on new material.
Rising Son's Unite!
An Angel's Whispers...
"Massive Attack are cool without being aloof. So many bands these
days concentrate more on 'appearing' cool - they're all facade.
Massive Attack have earned their coolness through honesty. The
music they create is a reflection of who they are as genuine
artists."
