IQ (band)

Last updated

IQ
IQ played their "traditional" Christmas gig to a capacity crowds at The Garage in Highbury 21.jpg
IQ playing their "traditional" Christmas gig on 10 December 2019. L-R: Paul Cook Mike Holmes, Peter Nicholls, Neil Durant, and Tim Esau.
Background information
Origin Southampton, England
Genres
Years active1981 (1981)present
Labels
MembersMike Holmes
Peter Nicholls
Tim Esau
Paul Cook
Neil Durant
Past members Martin Orford
John Jowitt
Andy Edwards
Mark Westworth
Les Marshall
Paul Menel
Mark Ridout
Website http://www.iq-hq.co.uk/

IQ are a British neo-prog band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 [2] following the dissolution of their original band The Lens. Although the band have never enjoyed major commercial success and had several lineup changes, IQ have built up a loyal following over the years and are still active as of 2022, currently with the original recording line-up (with the exception of Orford). In 2021/22, IQ performed a series of concerts in the UK and Europe celebrating their 40th anniversary.

Contents

Neo-progressive movement

IQ were one of a number of British bands formed during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Pallas and Solstice, that continued with the progressive rock style forsaken by 1970s bands such as Genesis and Yes. The music press coined the phrase neo-progressive to describe these bands, often accusing them of simply copying the styles of other bands. This accusation has been strenuously denied by Martin Orford, who is against the use of the term "neo progressive" [3] and claims the band have wide-ranging and eclectic selection of musical influences. [4] Paul Stump's History of Progressive Rock, while affirming the band's categorization as neo-progressive, argued that IQ "did at least offer a more individual palette which, while just as derivative [as Marillion] in its way, gave the impression that the choice of arrangements was indivisible from the choice of notes played - that the similarities with older bands arose accidentally from their own personal approach to music." [emphasis in original] [5]

Line-up

From 1982, the line-up consisted of Peter Nicholls (vocals), Mike Holmes (guitar), Martin Orford (keyboards), Paul Cook (not to be confused with the Sex Pistols' drummer of the same name) (drums), and Tim Esau (bass). [6] Nicholls left in July 1985 to form a new band, Niadem's Ghost, and was replaced by Paul (P. L.) Menel, but subsequently returned in 1990. Nicholls also created the cover art for most of the albums on which he appears. In early 2005, member Paul Cook left the band and was replaced on drums by Andy Edwards (ex Robert Plant drummer). On 20 July 2007, Martin Orford announced that he was leaving IQ and he was replaced by Mark Westworth from prog-rock band Darwin's Radio. As of late 2009, Paul Cook has returned to replace Andy Edwards. On 7 October 2010, Mark Westworth announced on the band's official web site that he would be leaving the band and his final appearance with IQ was on 11 December 2010. On 1 January 2011, the band announced that Westworth's replacement on keyboards would be Neil Durant, from instrumental prog-fusion band Sphere³. On 7 January 2011, bassist of 19 years John Jowitt announced on the band's website that he had left the band, and that his last appearance with the band had also been the concert on 11 December 2010. [7] He was replaced by original bassist Tim Esau in January 2011.

Musical style

At The Classic Rock Society Awards Night, 16 January 2010. The band had won Band of the Year and Best Album for Frequency. L-R: Holmes, Nicholls, Cook, Westworth, Jowitt IQ at the CRS Jan 2010.jpg
At The Classic Rock Society Awards Night, 16 January 2010. The band had won Band of the Year and Best Album for Frequency. L-R: Holmes, Nicholls, Cook, Westworth, Jowitt

The band's musical style, especially earlier in their career, was reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett era Genesis because of singer Peter Nicholls' vocal and stage-presence similarities to Gabriel and keyboardist Martin Orford's grandiose keyboarding. However, guitarist Mike Holmes' role was far more assertive in the band, giving them a harder edge musically. After Nicholls' departure, the band's style became increasingly commercial and radio-friendly — albeit without much success — on Nomzamo (1987) and Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989), although each album still featured some progressive rock-style tracks. Beginning with the return of Nicholls on 1993's Ever , the band returned to its prog rock roots, with longer tracks featuring intricate arrangements and complex musicianship.

Personnel

Members

Current members
Former members

Lineups

N.B. bold = lineup change; * = returning band member

1981–19821982–19851985–19891989–1990
  • Peter Nicholls – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Tim Esau – bass
  • Mark Ridout – drums
  • Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Peter Nicholls – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Tim Esau – bass
  • Paul Cook – drums
  • Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Menel – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Tim Esau – bass
  • Paul Cook – drums
  • Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Peter Nicholls* – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Les Marshall – bass
  • Paul Cook – drums
  • Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals
1990–20052005–20072007–20092009–2010
  • Peter Nicholls – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Jowitt – bass, backing vocals
  • Paul Cook – drums
  • Peter Nicholls – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Jowitt – bass, backing vocals
  • Andy Edwards – drums
  • Peter Nicholls – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Mark Westworth – keyboards
  • John Jowitt – bass, backing vocals
  • Andy Edwards – drums
  • Peter Nicholls – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars
  • Mark Westworth – keyboards
  • John Jowitt – bass, backing vocals
  • Paul Cook* – drums
2011–present
  • Peter Nicholls – lead vocals
  • Mike Holmes – guitars, backing vocals
  • Neil Durant – keyboards
  • Tim Esau* – bass, backing vocals
  • Paul Cook – drums

Timeline

IQ (band)

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camel (band)</span> English progressive rock band

Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen studio albums and fourteen singles, plus numerous live albums and DVDs. Without achieving mass popularity, the band gained a cult following in the 1970s with albums such as Mirage (1974) and The Snow Goose (1975). They moved into a jazzier, more commercial direction in the early 1980s, but then went on an extended hiatus. Since 1991 the band has been independent, releasing albums on their own label.

Jadis are a British neo-prog group. They play guitar-driven rock with the use of synthesisers to add depth and atmosphere, and an emphasis on melody. They were previously signed to InsideOut Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arena (band)</span> British progressive rock band

Arena are an English neo-prog band founded in 1995. Their style ranges from symphonic to hard rock.

Neo-progressive rock is a subgenre of progressive rock which developed in the UK in the early 1980s. The genre's most popular band, Marillion, achieved mainstream success in the decade. Several bands from the genre have continued to record and tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tristan Park</span>

Tristan Park was a progressive rock band formed in October 1986 by songwriters Brian Coombes, Chuck Dyac, and Marc Larochelle. Early Tristan Park sets included their theatrical/musical production, "The Screams for an Absent Dawn." It was an ambitious and influential beginning for a group of fledgling songwriters.

<i>Subterranea</i> (album) 1997 studio album by IQ

Subterranea is a double album by British progressive rock band IQ, which was released in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Young (musician)</span> British rock musician

John Young is a British rock musician hailing from Liverpool. He is currently the keyboardist and singer for the progressive rock band Lifesigns.

<i>The Wake</i> (IQ album) 1985 studio album by IQ

The Wake is the second studio album by British neo-prog band IQ, released in June 1985 by Sahara Records. Recorded at Falconer Studios in London from March to April 1985, it was produced by Mike Holmes and Tim Esau.

Ark, stylized as arK, are a musical group formed around Birmingham and The Black Country, England. Originally active from c.1985 to c.1995, the band reformed in 2010. The group's sound is a mixture of progressive rock and pop rock styles.

<i>Tales from the Lush Attic</i> 1983 studio album by IQ

Tales from the Lush Attic, released in 1983, is the debut album by neo-prog group IQ, following the cassette-only demo Seven Stories into Eight. It was also among the first neo-progressive releases, alongside Marillion's Script for a Jester's Tear, released in the same year.

<i>Nomzamo</i> (album) 1987 studio album by IQ

Nomzamo is the third studio album by the British neo-prog band IQ, released in May 1987 by Squawk Records and distributed by Mercury Records internationally, by Vertigo Records in the United Kingdom and by Metronome in West Germany. Recorded at Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England, from January to February 1987, it was produced by Ken Thomas. It was the first disc recorded without lead singer Peter Nicholls, who was replaced by P.L. Menel.

<i>The Archive Collection: IQ20</i> 2003 live album by IQ

The Archive Collection: Volume 1 – IQ20 is a live album by British progressive rock band IQ released in 2003. The album is the first installment of a series of original bootlegs releases, and was recorded on 16 February 2002 at the Colos-Saal, in Aschaffenburg, Germany, during IQ's 20th anniversary tour.

Mach One are a British neo-progressive rock band, founded in 1980 by a group of students attending Burlington Danes High School in West London. After a series of studio demos, school gigs and lineup changes, the band attracted the attention of Keith Goodwin who represented them through 1983-85. During this time Mach One embarked on a series of live shows at pubs and clubs around London, and universities across England, while releasing two albums, Six of One and Lost for Words, that featured prominently in underground progressive rock fanzines and specialist progressive rock catalogues. However, in the more mainstream press they received mixed reviews for their second album, including a humorous 1-star review by Mary Anne Hobbs in Sounds, although their live show was given a positive write-up in the same paper a few weeks thereafter by journalist Gareth Thompson.

Janysium are a British neo-progressive rock band, founded in 1980 by two pupils from Little Ealing Middle School; Peter Matuchniak and Simon Strevens. Their debut release in 1982 attracted the attention of Phil Collins via a chance meeting with his mother, and was also given a positive review in the Official Genesis Fan Club quarterly magazine.

<i>Frequency</i> (IQ album) 2009 studio album by IQ

Frequency is the tenth studio album by the British neo-prog band IQ, released in May 2009 by Inside Out Music. Recorded at Aubitt Studios in Southampton and Redbridge Studios in Bolton from June 2007 to February 2009, it was produced by guitarist Michael Holmes. It was the first and only album recorded with new group members, keyboardist Mark Westworth and drummer Andy Edwards, as well as the last with bass guitarist John Jowitt.

Quasar was formed in 1979 by founder Keith Turner. They found themselves to be amongst a movement of British bands during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, Twelfth Night, Solstice and Pallas, that continued in the progressive rock style created by 1970s bands such as Genesis and Yes. Though Quasar has had quiet times due to leaving members, they are now based in San Francisco.

Also Eden is an English rock band that was formed in 2005, when vocalist Huw Lloyd-Jones and keyboardist/vocalist Ian Hodson, who had been working on material together up to that point, invited Simon Rogers to join them. As of 2013 the band have released four studio albums and an EP, and have toured the United Kingdom and Europe since the mid-2000s, including four appearances at Summers End UK, and slots at Night Of The Prog at Loreley in Germany and The Cambridge Rock Festival (2011). Also Eden's third studio album, Think of the Children!, was released in October 2011 via F2 Records and received an 8/10 review from Geoff Barton in Classic Rock.

<i>The Road of Bones</i> (album) 2014 studio album by IQ

The Road of Bones is the eleventh studio album by the British neo-prog band IQ, released on May 3, 2014. It peaked at number 36 in Germany on the Offizielle Deutsche Charts, number 62 in Switzerland on the Swiss Hitparade and number 68 in the Netherlands on the Dutch Charts. It's the first album to feature Neil Durant on keyboards and it marks the return of original members Paul Cook on drums and Tim Esau on bass, the latter's first appearance on an IQ album since 1989.

<i>Seven Stories into Eight</i> 1982 demo album by IQ

Seven Stories into Eight is a demo album by the neo-prog band IQ. It was released in 1982 on cassette. In 1998, a new version of this work was released as a studio album.

Andy Edwards is a British drummer and multi-instrumentalist musician, who is best known as former member of the progressive rock bands Frost* and IQ.

References

  1. Macan, Edward (1997). Rocking the Classics: English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture · Volume 10. Oxford University Press. p. 234. ISBN   9780195098877.
  2. Official IQ site. Band formed in 1981.
  3. Orford, Martin (2000). "Out With The Neo!". DPRP. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  4. Prete, Mike (April 2002). "Interview with Martin Orford". ProgWeed.net. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  5. Stump, Paul (1997). The Music's All that Matters: A History of Progressive Rock. Quartet Books Limited. p. 279. ISBN   0-7043-8036-6.
  6. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 146. ISBN   0-85112-579-4.
  7. "IQ-HQ: The Official Website". iq-hq.co.uk. October 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  8. "IQ | Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2 March 2020.