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)
Sleepless Incidental
I.Q. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As he wanders the canyons relentlessly wide
Empires are burning, the rain cuts his skin
And in every direction the sound closes in
Time, only time, have I
And already I'm not okay
He falls in with the unwashed and unfed
In these extraordinary lanes
He is blind again, unaware still
From the greatest height and to furthest end
Without association, he will bend
And walkin g with the wounded, old and thin
Made to be paraded, bring the misfit in
How to overpower the avenues of steel
In my illusion, what of this is real?
Sleepless incidental, what I really need
Is how to now avoid the full stampede
I'm only taking time
And I'm not where I want to be now
The lyrics of "Sleepless Incidental" by the British neo-progressive rock band, I.Q., describe the journey of a character who is lost and wandering through a tumultuous and dangerous world. He watches as empires burn and columns collide, representing the chaos and destruction of society. The rain serves as a motif for the trials the character faces as it cuts his skin, showing the physical pain he endures. We understand that the character is frustrated with life and seeks a change but is unsure of how to achieve it. He feels lost.
The second verse describes the dire circumstances of the character as he finds himself alone and without shelter. He sleeps for the first time without a crib and falls in with the unwashed and unfed. The extraordinary lanes symbolize the new path that the character has taken, one that is both strange and unfamiliar. He is confused and uncertain of his surroundings. From the greatest height, the character has descended to the furthest end, representing how far he has fallen.
The chorus reflects the character's helplessness, as he understands that he needs help but is unsure of where to turn. The final line expresses the frustration of the character with his current circumstances. "I'm only taking time, and I'm not where I want to be now" highlights the disconnect between what the character wants and what he is currently experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
Sightless he watches the columns collide
He observes the destruction of pillars aimlessly
As he wanders the canyons relentlessly wide
He walks aimlessly through vast canyons without stopping
Empires are burning, the rain cuts his skin
Destruction is happening all around him, and the rain is hurting him physically
And in every direction the sound closes in
He is surrounded by noise from all sides with nowhere to escape
Time, only time, have I
He only has time, nothing else
And already I'm not okay
He is not doing well despite having time
He falls in with the unwashed and unfed
He joins a group of people who have not been cleaned or fed
He will sleep for the first time, no crib for a bed
He will sleep for the first time without a proper bed
In these extraordinary lanes
In these unusual places
He is blind again, unaware still
He becomes blind again and remains unaware of his surroundings
From the greatest height and to furthest end
From the highest point to the farthest destination
Without association, he will bend
Without any connection, he will yield
And walking with the wounded, old and thin
He walks alongside those who are injured, elderly and frail
Made to be paraded, bring the misfit in
Inviting those who do not fit into society's norms to participate in the parade
How to overpower the avenues of steel
How to overcome the obstacles in one's path
In my illusion, what of this is real?
What parts of his imagination reflect reality?
Sleepless incidental, what I really need
He needs an unexpected solution to his sleeplessness
Is how to now avoid the full stampede
He needs to know how to avoid crowds of people
I'm only taking time
He is simply spending his time
And I'm not where I want to be now
He is not in the place he desires to be in presently
Contributed by Kennedy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.