Test Icicles

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Test Icicles

Background information
Origin	UK
Genre(s)	Indiecore Dance-punk Art punk Rapcore Hip-hop Hardcore punk
Years active	2004–2006
Label(s)	Domino Records
Associated acts	The Open Season
Website	Official Site
Members
Rory Atwell (Raaary Decihells) Sam Mehran (Sam E Danger) Devonte Hynes (!Ved)

Test Icicles were a band formed in the UK, primarily influenced by indiecore but containing musical elements from a variety of genres (notably rapcore, hip-hop, crossover thrash and punk). The band was formed in 2004 by Rory Atwell and Sam Mehran, and later joined by Devonte Hynes, who was originally invited to fill in at a performance in Brighton, England and afterward became a permanent member of the band. Test Icicles performed a series of club shows with bands like The Unicorns before signing to veteran UK indie label Domino Records; their debut single, "Boa vs. Python", was critically praised — though it had initially been rejected by Domino as not commercial enough. The label, which according to the NME signed the band nearly sight unseen, had been anticipating a sound similar to that of the current Franz Ferdinand-dominated scene, and the jagged, fuzzy noise of Test Icicles' post-punk had come as a shock.

According to the label, the name "Test Icicles" is derived not from the word testicles but rather from an alleged practice of early man of "testing" icicles for strength and fitness for use as weapons. This, however, is extremely debatable considering the fact that a previous side project of band members Sam and Rory was named "Balls".

Following the release of their 2005 album, For Screening Purposes Only, the band toured the United States with Art Brut before returning to Europe for additional performances.

The three members are additionally extremely musically active outside of Test Icicles, claiming to be variously involved in over twenty side projects among them. Hynes and Mehran participate in a hair metal–hip hop fusion project, NLS Crew; Atwell is a member of several other bands including Lock Horns and Dogger.

In 2006, they remixed Alkaline Trio's single 'Burn' from the album Crimson. The track appears on the CD Single.

In February 2006, the band announced they were splitting up.^[1] In an interview with NME in March 2006 Dev claimed that "we were never, ever that keen on the music. I understand that people liked it, but we personally, er, didn't."

However, Devonte Hynez went on to form a new project involved with members from the band Semifinalists and the solo artist Tom Vek to create the band "Naked Babes". The band have now 'unofficially' split according to Devonte Hynez, much like their old short-lasting bands (pre-Test Icicles). Although, it is believed that the split was definite when Dev was overheard at the last ever Test Icicles gig, saying that Naked Babes was over. Forever.

Dev now works under the name Lightspeed Champion and is currently collaborating with Whirlwind Heat.

Rory is working on a project called RAT:ATT:AGG with members of the band Bullet union and also doing various remixes for bands such as Fake Shark - Real Zombie!.

1 Personnel
2 Equipment
3 Discography
4 Trivia
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Personnel

Rory Atwell (Raary Deci-hells, Raary Rambert RAT ATT AGG) English (Born in London) — guitar, vocals
Sam Mehran (Sam E Danger, Sam E Slaughter) American (Born in Miami moved and then lived in Adelaide, Australia, then New York, then moved to England) — vocals, guitar
Devonte Hynes (Dev Metal, !Ved) American (Born in Texas moved and lived in Essex, United Kingdom) — guitar, keyboards, vocals

[edit] Equipment

Rory Atwell (Guitars - Wilson Bros. Venture VM-75, Fender '72 Deluxe Telecaster)
Devonte Hynes (Guitars - Squier HH Showmaster (hot pink), Aria II Pro ZZ Deluxe, and in earlier shows, he used a Telecaster copy).
Sam Mehran (Guitars - Les Paul Deluxe copy, Peavey Raptor)

Amps - all three of the members switch off on guitar duties, usually sharing the same amps. usually using a Peavey Valveking 1x12, o a small Trace Elliot combo, or Fender Hot Rod deluxe.

Effects - it is hard to see the effects Test Icicles use, but one picture shows an Electro Harmonix WORM modulation pedal. Probably responsible for the ring modulation effect in "Boa vs. Python".

[edit] Discography

[edit] Demos

4 Track Demo (July 2004)

[edit] Studio albums

For Screening Purposes Only (October 31, 2005)

[edit] Singles

Boa vs. Python (August 1, 2005)
Circle. Square. Triangle (October 24, 2005) #25 UK
What's Your Damage? (January 16, 2006) #31 UK
Totally Re-F***ed (March 6, 2006)
Dig Your Own Grave (May 9, 2006)

[edit] Trivia

The song "Circle, Square, Triangle" has given its name to a political philosophy, also known as Shape-futurism.
The Song "Circle, Square, Triangle" was rerecorded 4 times.