IQ - band

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Biography

IQ are a United Kingdom|British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 Band formed 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 having performed a series of concerts in the UK and Europe celebrating their 30th anniversary .

The Neo-Progressive movement

IQ were one of a small number of British bands formed during the early 1980s, including Marillion , Pendragon (band)|Pendragon , Twelfth Night (band)|Twelfth Night , Pallas (band)|Pallas , Quasar (band)|Quasar and Solstice (UK_band_-_progressive)|Solstice that continued with the progressive rock style forsaken by 1970s bands such as Genesis (band)|Genesis and Yes (band)|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.

The line-up

From 1982, the line-up consisted of Peter Nicholls (musician)|Peter Nicholls (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.

Musical style

The band's musical style, especially earlier in their career, was reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett era Genesis (band)|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 (album)|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 (IQ album)|Ever , the band returned to its prog rock roots, with longer tracks featuring intricate arrangements and complex musicianship.

Band members

Current members

Peter Nicholls (musician)|Peter Nicholls – Singing|vocals , backing vocals (1981–1985, 1990–)

Mike Holmes (guitarist)|Mike Holmes – guitar s (1981–)

Paul Cook (IQ drummer)|Paul Cook – drums (1982–2005, 2009–)

Neil Durant - keyboardist (2011-)

Tim Esau – bass guitar (1981–1989, 2011-)

Former members

Martin Orford – 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 – Keyboard instrument|keyboards (2007–2010)

John Jowitt – bass guitar , backing vocals (1991–2011)

Discography

Albums

Seven Stories into Eight (cassette) (1982)

Tales from the Lush Attic (1983)

The Wake (IQ album)|The Wake (1985)

Nomzamo (album)|Nomzamo (1987)

Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989)

Ever (IQ album)|Ever (1993)

Subterranea (album)|Subterranea (1997)

The Seventh House (2000)

Dark Matter (album)|Dark Matter (2004)

Frequency (IQ album)|Frequency (2009)

Live Albums

Living Proof (IQ album)|Living Proof (live) (1986)

'' J'ai Pollette D'arnu (1991) (b-sides and live tracks)

Forever Live (IQ album)|Forever Live (1996)

Subterranea : The Concert (2000)

The Archive Collection: IQ20 (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)

Copyright Citations

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