Trip-Hop Pioneers Massive Attack to Bless the Greek Theatre

Fred Hernandez

The UK is well known for producing breakthrough artists in all music genres, but modern electronic music in particular owes much to the prolific work of the late-’80s duo Massive Attack. Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, graffiti artist-turned-rapper Robert “3D” Del Naja and Andrew “Mushroom” Vowels first met in Bristol as members of the insanely popular collective partying group the Wild Bunch. They hosted a slew of events that blended punk, reggae and R&B music before forming Massive Attack in 1988.

In 1990, Massive Attack released their first single “Daydreaming,” featuring guest vocals by Shara Nelson and raps courtesy of Tricky. The debut album Blue Line followed in 1991 with the lead single “Unfinished Sympathy,” which was touted on a Guardian poll as the 10th greatest song of all time. When Nelson left to pursue a solo career, the band took a three-year hiatus before returning in 1994 with Protection. Tricky again contributed his talents along with Vocalists Nicolette and Tracy Thorn (Everything but the Girl).

After a lengthy tour, Massive Attack released the single “Risingson” in 1997 and the album Mezzanine in 1998, which also offered the hit single “Teardrop.” Founding member Vowels and the band parted ways before the release of 100th Window in 2003. The album made its way to the number-one spot in the UK charts, and it was featured along with Mezzanine on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Meanwhile, the bandmates also pursued other musical arenas, including film scoring. Their first score for Danny the Dog was followed by music for In Prison My Whole Life, Battle in Seattle and the Oscar-nominated documentary Trouble the Water.

In 2010, the band released their fifth studio album Heligoland, which offers collaborations with Horace Andy, Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio), Guy Garvey (Elbow) and Martina Topley-Bird. Massive Attack’s hypnotic and seductive sound will surely please both dedicated fans and new audiences at the Greek Theatre.

Massive Attack will play the Greek Theatre on October 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.