IQ | Artist

IQ is a British neo-progressive rock band formed 1981 in Southampton, UK, by Mike Holmes (guitar) and Martin Orford (keyboards). Holmes and Orford were previously in a band called The Lens along with vocalist Peter Nicholls. They added Mike Holmes (guitar), Tim Eaau (bass) and Paul Cook (drums) to complete the new lineup. 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. In July 2007, Martin Orford left the band and was replaced by Mark Westworth from prog-rockers Darwin's Radio. IQ are among a number ofd British bands formed during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon, Twelth Night, Pallas, Quasar and Solstice that continued with the progressive rock style of 1970s bands such as Genesis and Yes. Extending the Yes comparison, IQ's singer Peter Nicholls' vocal and stage-presence had similarities to Peter Gabriel and keyboardist Martin Orford's grandiose keyboarding was not dissimilar to that of Rick Wakeman. A prolific recording band, they have released 16 studio albums and seven live albums to-date. Their third album The Wake (1985) was the first to generate critical acclaim. Then followed a relatively lean period, until the release of their superb seventh album Ever in 1993. Since then the band has released a string of consistently good albums, including standouts Subterranea (1997), The Seventh House (2000), Dark Matter (2004), and Frequency (2009). Their live albums are all of a high standard, in particular the excellent pair Subterranea: The Concert and Live on the Road of Bones. Martin Orford released his superb solo album The Old Road in 2008.

Artist Website: IQ-HQ.co.uk

Featured Albums: IQ

Related Artists: The Lens, Frost, Martin Orford