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Iq
 

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Iq (band)




IQ is a British Progressive Rock band founded by Mike Holmes in 1982 following the dissolution of his original band The Lens ( 1976 - 1981 ). Although the band has never enjoyed major commercial success, IQ has built up a loyal cult following over the years and is still active as of 2006 .


THE NEO-PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT


IQ was amongst a small number of British bands during the early 80's ( Marillion , Pendragon , Twelfth Night and Pallas etc. ), that continued with the progressive rock style foresaken by the greats that had either folded or changed their music to conform to the era. The sub-genre that these bands were lumped on to was called the Neo-progressive movement, or Neo-prog for short. It was a terminology that many of the musicians of this era had often forsaken, and the members of IQ have often denied this sub-genre.


THE LINE-UP

The band's lineup has remained fairly stable over the years. Vocalist Peter Nicholls left for a while to form a new band, Niadem's Ghost , and was replaced by Paul (P. L.) Menel, but subsequently returned. Nicholls also created the cover art for most of the albums on which he appears. Bassist John Jowitt and keyboardist Martin Orford have also been members of Jadis . In early 2005 founder member Paul Cook left the band, and was replaced on drums by Andy Edwards .


MUSICAL STYLE

The band's musical style, especially earlier in their career was very similar to the Peter Gabriel era Genesis due to singer Peter Nicholls vocal similarities and stage presence to Peter Gabriel and keyboardist Martin Orford's grandiose keyboarding, yet guitarist Mike Holmes' role was far more assertive in the band, giving them a harder edge music wise.


CURRENT FORMATION

  • Peter Nicholls - Vocals on all albums except ''Nomzamo'' and ''Are You Sitting Comfortably''

  • Mike Holmes - Guitar s, Keyboards

  • Martin Orford - Keyboards , Backing vocals

  • John Jowitt - Bass Guitar , Backing vocals

  • Andy Edwards - Drum s



FORMER MEMBERS


  • Paul Menel (a.k.a. P. L. Menel) - Vocals on ''Nomzamo'' and ''Are You Sitting Comfortably''

  • Tim Esau - Bass Guitar (early albums)

  • Paul Cook - Drum s until 2005.



DISCOGRAPHY


Albums



Videos

  • ''Forever Live'' (VHS/CD set, 1996 )

  • ''Subterranea : The Concert'' (DVD, 2000 )

  • ''IQ20 - The Twentieth Anniversary Show'' (VHS 2000 , DVD 2004 )

  • ''Live From London'' (DVD, recorded May 13 1985 in London, 2005 )



EXTERNAL LINKS