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 2024, 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.
IQ
IQ playing their "traditional" Christmas gig on 10 December 2019. L-R: Paul Cook Mike Holmes, Peter Nicholls, Neil Durant, and Tim Esau.
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-upedit
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 styleedit
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.
Personneledit
Membersedit
Current members
Mike Holmes – guitars, keyboards (1981–present), backing vocals (2011–present)
^Macan, Edward (1997). Rocking the Classics: English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture · Volume 10. Oxford University Press. p. 234. ISBN9780195098877.
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources IQ band news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2023 Learn how and when to remove this message 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 2024 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 IQIQ playing their traditional Christmas gig on 10 December 2019 L R Paul Cook Mike Holmes Peter Nicholls Neil Durant and Tim Esau Background informationOriginSouthampton EnglandGenresNeo prog 1 Years active1981 1981 presentLabelsThe Major Record Company The Classic One Shoe Record Label MSI Sahara Samurai Squawk Vertigo Mercury Giant Electric Pea SPV Inside OutMembersMike HolmesPeter NichollsTim EsauPaul CookNeil DurantPast membersMartin OrfordJohn JowittAndy EdwardsMark WestworthLes MarshallPaul MenelMark RidoutWebsitehttp www iq hq co uk Contents 1 Neo progressive movement 2 Line up 3 Musical style 4 Personnel 4 1 Members 4 2 Lineups 4 3 Timeline 5 Discography 5 1 Albums 5 2 Compilations 5 3 Live albums 5 4 Videos 5 5 Singles 6 References 7 External linksNeo progressive movement editIQ 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 editFrom 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 Sphere 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 edit nbsp 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 editMembers edit Current members Mike Holmes guitars keyboards 1981 present backing vocals 2011 present Peter Nicholls lead and backing vocals 1981 1985 1989 present Tim Esau bass guitar bass pedals 1981 1989 2011 present backing vocals 2011 present Paul Cook drums 1982 2005 2009 present Neil Durant keyboards 2011 present Former members Martin Orford keyboards backing and occasional lead vocals and flute 1981 2007 Mark Ridout drums 1981 1982 died 2018 Paul Menel vocals 1985 1989 Les Ledge Marshall bass guitar 1989 1990 his death John Jowitt bass guitar backing vocals 1990 2010 Andy Edwards drums 2005 2009 Mark Westworth keyboards 2007 2010 Lineups edit N B bold lineup change returning band member 1981 1982 1982 1985 1985 1989 1989 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 2005 2005 2007 2007 2009 2009 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 editDiscography editAlbums edit Tales from the Lush Attic 1983 The Wake 1985 Nomzamo 1987 Are You Sitting Comfortably 1989 Ever 1993 Subterranea 1997 Seven Stories into 98 1998 The Seventh House 2000 Dark Matter 2004 Frequency 2009 The Road of Bones 2014 Resistance 2019 Compilations edit Seven Stories into Eight 1982 demo cassette Nine in a Pond is Here 1985 official bootleg of demos etc CD version is abridged 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 The Archive Collection Tales from a Dark Christmas 2017 The Archive Collection 2022 all archive releases from 2003 to 2017 plus Live albums edit Living Proof 1986 J ai Pollette d Arnu 1991 b sides and live tracks Forever Live 1996 Subterranea The Concert 2000 The Archive Collection IQ20 2003 official bootleg of live concert The Wake Live at De Boerderij 2010 The Archive Collection IQ30 2012 official bootleg of live concert The Archive Collection Live on The Road of Bones 2016 The Archive Collection A Show of Resistance 2020 The Archive Collection 11 IQ40 Forty years of Prog Nonsense 2022 official bootleg of live concert Subterranea Live At Boerderij October 22 2011 2023 official bootleg of live concert The Archive Collection The IQ Weekender 2024 Box Set 2024 box set of two official bootlegs of live concerts Videos edit Forever Live VHS CD set 1996 DVD set 2007 Subterranea The Concert DVD 2000 IQ20 The Twentieth Anniversary Show 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 Scrape Across the Sky Blu ray 2017 Live Like This Blu ray 2021 Singles edit Barbell Is In 1984 Corners 1985 Passing Strangers 1987 Promises As the Years Go By 1987 Sold on You 1989 8 References edit Macan Edward 1997 Rocking the Classics English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture Volume 10 Oxford University Press p 234 ISBN 9780195098877 Official IQ site Band formed in 1981 Orford Martin 2000 Out With The Neo DPRP Archived from the original on 6 June 2011 Retrieved 29 April 2019 Prete Mike April 2002 Interview with Martin Orford ProgWeed net Archived from the original on 20 November 2008 Retrieved 29 April 2019 Stump Paul 1997 The Music s All that Matters A History of Progressive Rock Quartet Books Limited p 279 ISBN 0 7043 8036 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 IQ HQ The Official Website iq hq co uk October 2010 Retrieved 26 October 2010 IQ Discography Discogs com Retrieved 2 March 2020 External links editOfficial IQ web site The Museum of the band IQ Collection of IQ MIDI files archived IQ discography at Discogs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title IQ band amp oldid 1222438550, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
