IQ (band)

IQ are a British neo-prog band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 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 2025, currently with the original recording line-up.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, IQ performed a series of concerts in the UK and Europe celebrating their 40th anniversary.

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Neo-progressive movement

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 have subsequently 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" and claims the band have wide-ranging and eclectic selection of musical influences. 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 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."

Line-up

From 1982, the line-up consisted of Peter Nicholls, Mike Holmes, Martin Orford, Paul Cook, and Tim Esau. Nicholls left in July 1985 to form a new band, Niadem's Ghost, and was replaced by Paul 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. 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. In late 2009, Paul Cook 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. He was replaced by original bassist Tim Esau in January 2011.

Musical style

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 and Are You Sitting Comfortably?, 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

Members

;Current members

Mike Holmes – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Tim Esau – bass guitar, bass pedals, backing vocals
Peter Nicholls – lead and backing vocals
Paul Cook – drums
Neil Durant – keyboards

;Former members

Martin Orford – keyboards, backing and occasional lead vocals and flute
Mark Ridout – drums
Paul Menel – vocals
Les 'Ledge' Marshall – bass guitar
John Jowitt – bass guitar, backing vocals
Andy Edwards – drums
Mark Westworth – keyboards

Lineups

N.B. bold = lineup change; * = returning band member

1981–1982	1982	1982–1985	1985–1989
Mike Holmes – guitarsMartin Orford – keyboards, lead vocalsTim Esau – bassMark Ridout – drums	Peter Nicholls – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals Tim Esau – bass Mark Ridout – drums	Peter Nicholls – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals Tim Esau – bassPaul Cook – drums	Paul Menel – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals Tim Esau – bass Paul Cook – drums
1989–1990	1990–2005	2005–2007	2007–2009
Peter Nicholls* – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocalsLes Marshall – bass Paul Cook – drums	Peter Nicholls – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocalsJohn Jowitt – bass, backing vocals Paul Cook – drums	Peter Nicholls – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals John Jowitt – bass, backing vocalsAndy Edwards – drums	Peter Nicholls – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitarsMark Westworth – keyboards John Jowitt – bass, backing vocals Andy Edwards – drums
2009–2010	2011–present	-	-
Peter Nicholls – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars Mark Westworth – keyboards John Jowitt – bass, backing vocalsPaul Cook* – drums	Peter Nicholls – lead vocals Mike Holmes – guitars, backing vocalsNeil Durant – keyboardsTim Esau* – bass, backing vocals Paul Cook – drums	-	-

Discography

Albums

Tales from the Lush Attic The Wake Nomzamo Are You Sitting Comfortably? Ever Subterranea Seven Stories into '98 The Seventh House Dark Matter Frequency The Road of Bones Resistance

''Dominion''

Compilations

Seven Stories into Eight Nine in a Pond is Here The Lost Attic Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 1 Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 2 The Archive Collection: Tales from a Dark Christmas The Archive Collection

''Almost But Not Quite''

Singles

"Barbell Is In"
"Corners"
"Passing Strangers"
"Promises "
"Sold on You"

Live albums

Living Proof J'ai Pollette d'Arnu Forever Live Subterranea: The Concert The Archive Collection: IQ20 The Wake: Live at De Boerderij The Archive Collection: IQ30 The Archive Collection: Live on The Road of Bones The Archive Collection: A Show of Resistance The Archive Collection #11: IQ40 - Forty years of Prog Nonsense Subterranea: Live At Boerderij October 22, 2011

''The Archive Collection: The IQ Weekender 2024 Box Set''

Videos

Forever Live Subterranea: The Concert IQ20 - The Twentieth Anniversary Show Live from London IQ Stage Forever Live The Wake in Concert Scrape Across the Sky

''Live Like This''