The Neo-Progressive movement
IQ were one of a small number of British bands formed during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Pallas, and Quasar that continued with the progressive rock style forsaken by 1970s bands such as Genesis and Yes. The music press 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 IQ, which are against of the use of the term "neo progressive"and claim to have a wide-ranging and eclectic selection of musical influences.
The line-up
From 1982, the line-up consisted of Peter Nicholls (vocals), Mike Holmes (guitar), Martin Orford (keyboards), Paul Cook (drums), and Tim Esau (bass). Nicholls left in 1984 to form a new band, Niadem's Ghost, and was replaced by Paul (P. L.) 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 he was leaving IQ and was replaced by Mark Westworth from prog-rock band Darwin's Radio. Despite his departure, Martin continues to run the band's label GEP and is still closely involved with the band, although he announced in late 2008 that he will leave the music business entirely and hand over the reins of GEP to someone else (as yet unnamed) in early 2009.
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 (1987) and Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989), although each album still featured some progressive rock-style tracks. Beginning with Nicholls's return on 1993's Ever, the band returned to its prog rock roots, with longer tracks featuring intricate arrangements and complex musicianship.
Band members
Current members
Peter Nicholls – vocals, backing vocals (1981–1986, 1993–)
Mike Holmes – guitars (1981–)
Paul Cook – drums (1982–2005, 2009–)
John Jowitt – bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–)
Mark Westworth – keyboards (2008–)
[edit] Former members
Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals (1981–2007)
Paul (P.L.) Menel – vocals (1986–1990)
Tim Esau – bass guitar (1981–1990)
Les 'Ledge' Marshall – bass guitar (1990)
Mark Ridout – drums (1981–1982)
Andy Edwards – drums (2006–2008)
Discography
Albums
Seven Stories into Eight (cassette) (1982)
Tales from the Lush Attic (1983)
The Wake (1985)
Nomzamo (1987)
Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989)
Ever (1993)
Subterranea (1997)
The Seventh House (2000)
Dark Matter (2004)
Frequency (2009)
Live Albums
Living Proof (live) (1986)
J'ai Pollette D'arnu (1991) (b-sides and live tracks)
Forever Live (1996)
Subterranea : The Concert (2000)
The Archive Collection: IQ20 (2003) ("official bootleg" of live concert)
Compilations
Nine in a Pond is Here (1985) ("official bootleg" of demos etc, CD version is abridged)
Seven Stories into Ninety Eight (1998) (original 1982 album plus new re-recorded version)
1. Capital Letters (In Surgical Spirit Land) 2. About Lake Five 3. Intelligence Quotient 4. For Christ's Sake 5. Barbell Is In 6. Fascination 7. For The Taking 8. It All Stops Here 9. Eloko Bella Neechi
The Lost Attic (1999) (rarities)
Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 1 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 2 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
[edit] Videos
Forever Live (VHS/CD set 1996, DVD set 2007)
Subterranea : The Concert (DVD, 2000)
IQ20 - The Twentieth Anniversary Show (VHS 2000, DVD 2004)
Live From London (DVD, recorded 13 May 1985 in London, 2005)
IQ Stage (DVD, 2006)
Psycho
I.Q. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know yeah I got it
I'm smoking narcotics
Fell in love with a goddess
She say I'm psychotic
I know yeah I got it
I'm smoking narcotics
Fell in love with a goddess
I know yeah I got it
I'm smoking narcotics
Fell in love with a goddess
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
There's one thing I don't like
Is that you always trynna fight
Like I ain't even do none to you
So why you trynna do this to me
I know you got insecurities
But please don't bring that out on me
Please don't put that all on me
Why you acting different
It's only been a minute
Since we last kicked it
I wanna know what I did, to deserve all of this shit
I'm nothing but nice to you, I'm nothing but loyal to you
I know that you got issues, that you're trying to fix
Hurry up Nick, before I dip
I said, hurry up Nick, before I dip, you better think quick
You gon' lose the love of your life
I'm gon' lose the one that was right
I see the look in your eyes, I know that your dead inside
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
Sometimes I be tweaking
I don't really have a reason
For the way that I'm feeling
Can you please help heal me
Can you feel me
If I shout it out
Would you hear me
Are you near me
My vision a blur I can see clearly
Which way is the right way
Feels like I'm always going the wrong way
Can you feel it
Feel the tension
Maybe you should start to pay attention
I could teach you a lesson
Got the mask on my face like Mike and Jason
Psycho just like Michael
The song "Psycho" by I.Q. speaks about the rapper's relationship with his lover. The chorus indicates that the girl he is dating is in love with a "psycho" just like Michael. The use of the name Michael is a reference to Michael Myers, a fictional character from the movie Halloween, known for his brutal and psychotic behavior. I.Q. lyrically unpacks the problems in their relationship throughout the song. He admits to being psycho and smoking drugs. However, he seems to be unaware of how to handle his girl's insecurities, which ultimately cause them to fight.
The song speaks about the rapper's desire for his girl to understand him better and help him through his issues. The song's title "Psycho" is both literal and figurative; it could be a reference to the mental state of both I.Q. and his girlfriend, or just a nod to Michael Myers' brutal personality. The song ends with I.Q. reflecting on his behavior and wondering which direction is the right one to take.
Line by Line Meaning
She say I'm psychotic
The woman I am in a relationship with thinks that I am mentally unstable.
I know yeah I got it
I am aware of my mental instability.
I'm smoking narcotics
I am using drugs to cope with my mental health issues.
Fell in love with a goddess
I am in a romantic relationship with a woman who I see as perfect and ideal.
Shawty fell in love with a psycho, psycho, just like Michael
My girlfriend has fallen in love with my unstable and unpredictable personality, similar to the character of Michael Myers from the movie series 'Halloween.'
There's one thing I don't like
There is an issue in our relationship that I am unhappy with.
Is that you always trynna fight
You are constantly starting arguments with me.
Like I ain't even do none to you
I have not done anything to provoke your hostility.
So why you trynna do this to me
I do not understand why you are treating me this way.
I know you got insecurities
I believe that your behavior towards me stems from personal insecurities you have.
But please don't bring that out on me
I do not deserve to be mistreated because of your emotional issues.
Why you acting different
You are behaving in a way that is different than your usual self.
It's only been a minute
We have not interacted for very long.
Since we last kicked it
We have not spent time together in a while.
I wanna know what I did, to deserve all of this shit
I would like to understand what I have done to deserve your negative treatment towards me.
I'm nothing but nice to you, I'm nothing but loyal to you
I have been a kind and loyal partner to you.
I know that you got issues, that you're trying to fix
I understand that you are dealing with personal problems that you are trying to resolve.
Hurry up Nick, before I dip
I am giving you a deadline to work on your issues before I end our relationship.
You gon' lose the love of your life
If you do not work on your problems, you will lose the person you claim to love the most.
I'm gon' lose the one that was right
If our relationship ends, I will lose the one that I believe was meant for me.
I see the look in your eyes, I know that your dead inside
I can tell by your expression that you are emotionally drained and empty.
Sometimes I be tweaking
I have moments where my thoughts and behavior become erratic.
I don't really have a reason
There is not always a clear cause for my unstable behavior.
For the way that I'm feeling
I cannot fully explain the emotions that I am experiencing.
Can you please help heal me
I am seeking help and support from my partner to improve my mental state.
Can you feel me
I hope that my partner understands and empathizes with my struggles.
If I shout it out
If I express my feelings and frustrations openly.
Would you hear me
Will you listen and acknowledge what I am saying?
Are you near me
Are you emotionally available to support me through my struggles?
My vision a blur I can see clearly
Although my thoughts and feelings are unclear, I am aware of my situation.
Which way is the right way
I am unsure of the correct path to take in my current situation.
Feels like I'm always going the wrong way
I feel like my choices and actions have been consistently unsuccessful.
Feel the tension
There is a noticeable strain and discomfort in our relationship.
Maybe you should start to pay attention
I believe that you need to take notice of our issues and work towards resolving them.
I could teach you a lesson
I could help you learn from our relationship and improve for future relationships.
Got the mask on my face like Mike and Jason
Similar to the characters of Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees from horror movies, I hide my true identity and thoughts behind a façade or mask.
Psycho just like Michael
I have a disturbing and unpredictable personality, similar in nature to the character of Michael Myers.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Nicholas Gripman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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2023 💪🏻🙌🏻🔊🎶🔥
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