IQ (band)
Encyclopedia
IQ are a British
neo-progressive rock
band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford
in 1981 following the dissolution of their original band The Lens. Although the band have never enjoyed major commercial success and had several line up changes, IQ have built up a loyal following over the years and are still active as of 2011 when they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary .
, Pendragon
, Twelfth Night
, Pallas
, Quasar
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 IQ, which are against of the use of the term "neo progressive" and claim to have a wide-ranging and eclectic selection of musical influences.
(vocals), Mike Holmes (guitar), Martin Orford (keyboards), Paul Cook (drums), and Tim Esau (bass). 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
. 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 drums. 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 Mark's replacement on keyboards would be Neil Durant. 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. John was replaced by original bassist Tim Esau in January 2011.
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 Nicholls's return on 1993's Ever
, the band returned to its prog rock roots, with longer tracks featuring intricate arrangements and complex musicianship.
1. Capital Letters (In Surgical Spirit Land)
2. About Lake Five
3. Intelligence Quotient
4. For Christ's Sake
5. Barbell Is In
6. Fascination
7. For The Taking
8. It All Stops Here
9. Eloko Bella Neechi
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
neo-progressive rock
Neo-progressive rock
Neo-progressive rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock, developed in the UK and popular in the 1980s, although it lives on today....
band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford
Martin Orford
Martin Orford is an English keyboard player best known as the keyboardist and founder member of progressive rock bands IQ and Jadis. He also worked with former King Crimson, UK and Asia bassist John Wetton, and released a solo album, Classical Music and Popular Songs in 2000...
in 1981 following the dissolution of their original band The Lens. Although the band have never enjoyed major commercial success and had several line up changes, IQ have built up a loyal following over the years and are still active as of 2011 when they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary .
The Neo-Progressive movement
IQ were one of a small number of British bands formed during the early 1980s, including MarillionMarillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
, Pendragon
Pendragon (band)
Pendragon are an English neo-progressive rock band established in 1978 in Stroud, Gloucestershire as Zeus Pendragon by guitarist and vocalist Nick Barrett. The Zeus was dropped before the band started recording as the members decided it was too long to look good on a t-shirt...
, Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night (band)
Twelfth Night are an English neo-progressive rock band of the 1980s, reformed in 2007.-Formation:The seeds of Twelfth Night were sown when guitarist Andy Revell and drummer Brian Devoil joined forces on 23 February 1978 to win a talent competition at Reading University. The road crew included Geoff...
, Pallas
Pallas (band)
Pallas are a progressive rock band based in the UK. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-progressive during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s...
, Quasar
Quasar (band)
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...
and Solstice
Solstice (UK band - progressive)
Solstice Neo-progressive rock bandNot to be confused with other bands of the same name, Solstice are a British neo-progressive rock band formed in 1980 and based in the UK...
that continued with the progressive rock style forsaken by 1970s bands such as Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. 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 IQ, which are against of the use of the term "neo progressive" and claim to have a wide-ranging and eclectic selection of musical influences.
The line-up
From 1982, the line-up consisted of Peter NichollsPeter Nicholls (musician)
Peter Nicholls is the lead singer of the progressive rock band IQ. Nicholls left the band briefly in the late 1980s to form the alternative rock band Niadem's Ghost but returned in 1991...
(vocals), Mike Holmes (guitar), Martin Orford (keyboards), Paul Cook (drums), and Tim Esau (bass). 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
Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards is a drummer who came to prominence as a member of Robert Plant's Priory of Brion, in which he played from 1999-2001. He was also the drummer with the Ian Parker Band, appearing on the albums Lost and Found and Inside. In 2005 he replaced Paul Cook as the drummer of IQ...
. 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 drums. 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 Mark's replacement on keyboards would be Neil Durant. 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. John was replaced by original bassist Tim Esau in January 2011.
Musical style
The band's musical style, especially earlier in their career, was reminiscent of Peter GabrielPeter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
and Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett
Stephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
era Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
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
Nomzamo (album)
Nomzamo is the fourth studio album by British progressive rock band IQ, released in 1987. The album was the first IQ album recorded without lead singer Peter Nicholls, who left the band in 1986 to return in 1990.-Track listing:# "No Love Lost" – 5:57...
(1987) and Are You Sitting Comfortably?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
Are You Sitting Comfortably? is the fifth studio album by British neo-progressive rock band IQ, released in 1989.-Track listing:# "War Heroes" – 6:26# "Drive On" – 4:57# "Nostalgia" – 2:22# "Falling Apart at the Seams" – 7:47# "Sold On You" – 4:40...
(1989), although each album still featured some progressive rock-style tracks. Beginning with Nicholls's return on 1993's Ever
Ever (IQ album)
Ever is the sixth studio album by neo-progressive rock band IQ. It features the return of Peter Nicholls to the lineup of the band, and a return of a more progressive sound.- Track listing :# "The Darkest Hour" – 10:52# "Fading Senses" – 6:36...
, the band returned to its prog rock roots, with longer tracks featuring intricate arrangements and complex musicianship.
Current members
- Peter NichollsPeter Nicholls (musician)Peter Nicholls is the lead singer of the progressive rock band IQ. Nicholls left the band briefly in the late 1980s to form the alternative rock band Niadem's Ghost but returned in 1991...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, backing vocals (1981–1985, 1990–) - Mike Holmes – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (1981–) - Paul Cook – drums (1982–2005, 2009–)
- Neil Durant - keyboardistKeyboardistA keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
(2011-) - Tim Esau – bass guitar (1981–1989, 2011-)
Former members
- Martin OrfordMartin OrfordMartin Orford is an English keyboard player best known as the keyboardist and founder member of progressive rock bands IQ and Jadis. He also worked with former King Crimson, UK and Asia bassist John Wetton, and released a solo album, Classical Music and Popular Songs in 2000...
– keyboards, backing vocals (1981–2007) - Paul (P.L.) Menel – vocals (1986–1989)
- Les 'Ledge' Marshall – bass guitar (1990)
- Mark Ridout – drums (1981–1982)
- Andy Edwards – drums (2005–2008)
- Mark Westworth – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(2007–2010) - John JowittJohn JowittJohn Jowitt is a bass guitarist known for his work with UK progressive bands Ark, IQ, Arena and Frost*. He has been awarded the British Classic Rock Society's award for best bass player ten times, each year between 1993 and 1998 and again between 2002 and 2004, and again in 2010 and 2011.-References:...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (1991–2011)
Albums
- Seven Stories into Eight (cassette) (1982)
- Tales from the Lush AtticTales from the Lush AtticTales From The Lush Attic, released in 1983, was the second studio album by neo-progressive rock group IQ, following the cassette-only Seven Stories into Eight...
(1983) - The Wake (1985)
- NomzamoNomzamo (album)Nomzamo is the fourth studio album by British progressive rock band IQ, released in 1987. The album was the first IQ album recorded without lead singer Peter Nicholls, who left the band in 1986 to return in 1990.-Track listing:# "No Love Lost" – 5:57...
(1987) - Are You Sitting Comfortably?Are You Sitting Comfortably?Are You Sitting Comfortably? is the fifth studio album by British neo-progressive rock band IQ, released in 1989.-Track listing:# "War Heroes" – 6:26# "Drive On" – 4:57# "Nostalgia" – 2:22# "Falling Apart at the Seams" – 7:47# "Sold On You" – 4:40...
(1989) - EverEver (IQ album)Ever is the sixth studio album by neo-progressive rock band IQ. It features the return of Peter Nicholls to the lineup of the band, and a return of a more progressive sound.- Track listing :# "The Darkest Hour" – 10:52# "Fading Senses" – 6:36...
(1993) - SubterraneaSubterranea (album)Subterranea is a double album by British neo-progressive rock band IQ, which was released in 1997.-Story:Subterranea is about a man who's been the subject of an experiment. He's been held captive, almost like sensory deprivation, throughout his whole life and he doesn't have any contact with the...
(1997) - The Seventh HouseThe Seventh HouseThe Seventh House is a studio album by the British neo-progressive band IQ, released in 2000.-Track listing:# "The Wrong Side Of Weird" – 12:24# "Erosion" – 5:43# "The Seventh House" – 14:23# "Zero Hour" – 6:57# "Shooting Angels" – 7:24...
(2000) - Dark MatterDark Matter (album)Dark Matter is a studio album by the British neo-progressive band IQ, released in 2004.-Track listing:# "Sacred Sound" – 11:40# "Red Dust Shadow" – 5:53# "You Never Will" – 4:54# "Born Brilliant" – 5:20# "Harvest of Souls" – 24:29...
(2004) - FrequencyFrequency (IQ album)Frequency is a studio album by the British neo-progressive band IQ, released in late May 2009. It was the first album recorded with new band members Andy Edwards and Mark Westworth . A special edition with a bonus DVD was also released...
(2009)
Live Albums
- Living Proof (live) (1986)
- J'ai Pollette D'arnu (1991) (b-sides and live tracks)
- Forever Live (1996)
- Subterranea : The Concert (2000)
- The Archive Collection: IQ20The Archive Collection: IQ20The 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...
(2003) ("official bootleg" of live concert) - The Wake in Concert (2010)
Compilations
- Nine in a Pond is Here (1985) ("official bootleg" of demos etc., CD version is abridged)
- Seven Stories into Ninety Eight (1998) (original 1982 album plus new re-recorded version)
1. Capital Letters (In Surgical Spirit Land)
2. About Lake Five
3. Intelligence Quotient
4. For Christ's Sake
5. Barbell Is In
6. Fascination
7. For The Taking
8. It All Stops Here
9. Eloko Bella Neechi
- The Lost Attic (1999) (rarities)
- Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 1 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
- Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 2 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
Videos
- Forever Live (VHS/CD set 1996, DVD set 2007)
- Subterranea : The Concert (DVD, 2000)
- IQ20 - The Twentieth Anniversary Show (VHS 2000, DVD 2004)
- Live From London (DVD, recorded 13 May 1985 in London, 2005)
- IQ Stage (DVD, 2006)
- Forever Live (DVD, 2007)
- The Wake in Concert (DVD, 2010)