The Icicle Works

The Icicle Works are an English alternative rock band of the 1980s. Named after the 1960 short story "The Day the Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl, The Icicle Works joined Liverpool's early 1980s 'neo-psychedelia' wave, which also propelled Echo & the Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes to stardom.

History

1980–1984: Formation and early years

The band was founded in Liverpool in 1980 when bassist Chris Layhe (who had been in a couple of local rock bands including Elanor and Blind Owl) answered an advertisement for a musical collaborator placed by 20 year old Ian McNabb. The two got together and started writing. They quickly added drummer Chris Sharrock (who had previously drummed for the Cherry Boys), and began playing live shows as "The Icicle Works".

In 1981, the band recorded a six-song independently released cassette entitled Ascending. In 1982, they released the independent single "Nirvana", which made it to #15 on the UK's indie charts. The following year, the Icicle Works were signed to the Beggars Banquet label, who issued the single "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" on their subsidiary label Situation Two.

Later that year, The Icicle Works' released their biggest UK hit, 1983's "Love is a Wonderful Colour", which was a UK Top 15 single. Their debut eponymous album (1984) followed shortly thereafter, reached number 24 on the UK charts and entered the U.S. top 40. Also appearing on the U.S. top 40 singles charts at around the same time (and hitting the Canadian top twenty) was "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)", a retitled and slightly remixed version of the band's Situation Two release of 1983.

1985–1988: Touring years

After the release of their self-titled debut album the Icicle Works struggled to match their initial commercial success. However, they continued to receive critical acclaim as a live band and secured a loyal fan base both in the UK and abroad. Some have attributed the lack of commercial success to The Icicle Works' change in sound over the years, from an initial 'new wave' feel to a more straight-ahead (but then-unfashionable) rock sound inspired by Neil Young, The Doors, and the Ramones, amongst others.

In September 1984 the band issued the UK-only single "Hollow Horse", which flopped (though it later became a live favourite in the band's sets). A series of follow-up singles similarly missed the charts, including the Motown-flavoured "All The Daughters" and the folk-rock inspired "Seven Horses". Added to the live line-up around this time was keyboardist Chris "Tugsie" Turrill; Turrill was not an official member of the band, and did not play on any of their recordings. Prior to Turrill's arrival, both McNabb and Layhe had previously doubled up on instruments playing guitar, keyboard and percussion at live gigs. Layhe was often seen playing the octobans and McNabb occasionally played an open tuned guitar with his right hand and a keyboard with his left.

The band's second LP, The Small Price Of A Bicycle came out in mid-1985 to mild reviews. The album was a UK-only release—their US label, Arista Records, dismissed the album as 'punk-rock demos' and declined to release it.

Beginning in 1986, though the band was still officially a trio, keyboardist Dave Green became an auxiliary member of The Icicle Works, replacing Turrill. Green both played at live shows and contributed to the band's recordings.

In early 1986, Beggars' Banquet compiled all the 12" mixes of the band's singles onto a UK-only LP entitled Seven Singles Deep, which hit #52 on the British album charts.

In July 1986, The Icicle Works had a top 75 chart hit with the almost punk-sounding "Understanding Jane", which peaked at #52. The pop-oriented follow-up single "Who Do You Want For Your Love" peaked at #54, and January 1987's "Evangeline" peaked at #53. All three songs found their way on to the 1987 album If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song, produced by Ian Broudie. The album was released in both Britain and North America and hit #28 on the UK charts.

Later in 1987, The Icicle Works issued the single "High Time". It just missed the British top 75 (peaking at #76) but in 1988 it hit #13 on the newly created US Modern Rock charts.

The band's fourth studio album, Blind, was produced by McNabb and issued in 1988. The album featured 13 tracks in the UK and Canada, but the US version of the album featured a different track listing, slightly edited versions of a few songs, and a different cover. Still, both versions of the album contained "High Time" and the minor British hit "Little Girl Lost", which peaked at #59.

1989–1991: New line-up and split

By the late 1980s, tensions within the group were increasing, allegedly due to McNabb's controlling ways. By 1988, in addition to writing virtually all of The Icicle Works' material (as well as singing and playing guitar) McNabb was also producing the group's records.

Accordingly, shortly after Blind was issued, drummer Chris Sharrock departed to The La's. Sharrock would later be a member of The Lightning Seeds, World Party, and would also drum for Robbie Williams, Del Amitri, Eurythmics, Oasis and most recently joined Beady Eye. Layhe also departed at this time and Beggars Banquet dropped the group from their roster.

McNabb continued to perform under the name The Icicle Works for a while. Dave Green was promoted to official membership status, although he would leave the band within a year. Zak Starkey was added on drums for a time, and various keyboardists, bassists, and guitarists passed through before the band released their final album Permanent Damage (1990), recorded for Epic/Sony. By that time, the band's lineup was McNabb, bassist Roy Corkill, former 10cc and Jethro Tull drummer Paul Burgess, keyboardist Dave Baldwin, and backing vocalist Mark Revell.

This 'second-generation' version of The Icicle Works quietly broke up after Permanent Damage failed to chart, and Epic dropped the band.

McNabb's solo career officially began in 1991 with the release of the single Great Dreams of Heaven.

In 1992, a compilation called The Best of The Icicle Works was released, containing the best of their work from the Beggars Banquet years. Two years later, a live recording of a 1987 concert was issued.

2006–present: Revival

After having been a solo act for 15 years, in 2006 McNabb unexpectedly reactivated The Icicle Works name for a series of six UK concerts in October of that year. This version of the band consisted of McNabb, former 'second-generation' Icicle Works bassist Roy Corkill, and two new members: keyboard player Richard Naiff and ex-Dodgy drummer Matthew Priest, both of McNabb's long-time solo touring band. Original drummer Chris Sharrock had been invited to play with the revived group, but declined to participate.

The Icicle Works later appeared at GuilFest 2007 and played a nine-date UK tour in December 2007. However, certain shows on this tour were heavily criticized by fans on the Message Boards at www.ianmcnabb.com for their allegedly disorganised nature, especially with regards to McNabb's performance. Perhaps by way of an apology, McNabb and company played two free shows as 'The Icicle Works' in Liverpool in January 2008.

McNabb continued to play gigs as a solo artist throughout 2009 and 2010, but the McNabb/Corkhill/Naiff/Priest line-up played a series of 30th Anniversary gigs as The Icicle Works in 2011.

Band members

• Ian McNabb – vocals, guitar, keyboards (1980–1990, 2006–present)
• Chris Layhe – backing vocals, bass (1980–1988)
• Chris Sharrock – drums (1981–1988)
• Roy Corkhill – bass (1988–1990, 2006–present)
• Zak Starkey – drums (1988)
• Dave Green – keyboards (1988)
• Dave Baldwin – keyboards (1989–1990)
• Ged Lynch – drums (1989)
• Mark Revell – backing vocals (1990)
• Paul Burgess – drums (1990)
• Richard Naiff – keyboards (2006–present)
• Matthew Priest – drums (2006–present)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Sources

• Whitburn, Joel (1987). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Albums. New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-8230-7513-3
• Whitburn, Joel (1987). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (3rd ed.). New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-8230-7520-6
• Official Discography at the Ian McNabb web page: http://www.ianmcnabb.com/discogw.htm
• Barwood, Tony. Liner notes to "The Icicle Works" (2006 reissue).

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 266. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
2. ^ Chart Stats.com

External links

• Ian McNabb and The Icicle Works Detailed Discography
• Video interview with Ian McNabb and Ian McNabb acoustic session from BBC Liverpool08