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Massive Attack are a Bristol based recording, production and art collective whose founding members are Robert Del Naja (aka 3D), Grant Marshall (aka Daddy G) and Andrew Vowles (aka Mushroom).

3D was originally a renowned graffiti artist and MC whilst Daddy G was a MC and DJ. They were also original members of The Wild Bunch (sound system). Massive Attack have recorded five studio records to critical acclaim, as well as two collections of compiled works – the total worldwide record sales to date are over 11 million. They are currently recording their sixth record in Bristol due for release in 2013.

THE WILD BUNCH:

Massive Attack formed in 1988 following the break-up of The Wild Bunch Sound-System whose members included 3D, Daddy G, Nellee Hooper, Mushroom and Miles Johnson.

The band's first single was ‘Any Love’ featuring Charlton McCarthy and Daddy G and was co-produced by fellow Bristolians, Smith and Mighty - it was released on their own label - Massive Attack Records.

In 1989 Massive Attack met Cameron McVey and his wife Neneh Cherry. McVey went on to become the band's manager and co-producer. They went on to work on tracks for Neneh Cherry’s debut album ""Raw Like Sushi"", with 3D writing the rap passage on ‘Manchild - Buffalo Stance’ which featured the line “looking good, hanging with the Wild Bunch.” The sessions with McVey were the starting point for the debut LP ‘Blue Lines’ and took place in the Cherry family home in North West London and also in Bristol's Coach House Studios.

The ""Blue Lines"" sessions included contributions from local friends Tricky (Adrian Thaws), Willy Wee and former On-U-Sound singer Shara Nelson. Through McVey, the band also met legendary Jamaican singer Horace Andy.

Blue Lines was released on Circa Records in April 1991 and was preceeded by the first single ""Daydreaming"".

3D worked closely with other visual artists including photographer Jean Baptiste Mondino, filmmaker Ballie Walsh and stylist Judy Blame to create a series of sleeves and videos for ‘Blue Lines’ whilst Walsh's groundbreaking videos were genre defining.

The ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ video, shot on West Pico Boulevard, Epicenter of the LA Riots, was filmed in one take on a steadicam and is still regarded as one of the seminal pop videos of all time. The band notoriously hated the results initially but because of the single take could not be re-edited.

3D’s paintings and graphics were used extensively for the ‘Blue Lines’ artwork. The flame logo was stolen and inspired from the Stiff Little Fingers album ‘Inflammable Material’.

The record was released to acclaim and has gone on to sell over three million copies. The single ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ is constantly referred to as one of the best songs of all time.

Portishead’s Geoff Barrow was tape operator during these sessions and he gave the band the first demo of ‘Dummy’ which the band planned to release on their yet unborn label.

McVey parted ways with the band in 1993 and they were left to record the follow-up to ‘Blue Lines’ without management. Nellee Hooper came on board as co-producer after he left Soul 11 Soul having recently produced Bjork's 'Debut' album.

Massive Attack once again worked with Horace Andy and Tricky but this time brought in Tracey Thorn from Everything But The Girl and London / Nigerian singer Nicolette Sowuto.

As well as sessions with Hooper, 3D and Tricky, they also worked with fellow Bristolian producers The Insects.

Marc Picken became the band's manager in early 1994.