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IQ is a British progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes in 1982 following the dissolution of his original band The Lens ( 1976 - 1981). Although the band has never enjoyed major commercial success, IQ has built up a loyal cult following over the years and is still active as of 2004.

The band's lineup has remained fairly stable over the years. Vocalist Peter Nicholls left for a while to form a new band, Niadem's Ghost , and was replaced by Paul (P. L.) Menel, but subsequently returned. Nicholls also created the cover art for most of the albums on which he appears. Bassist John Jowitt and keyboardist Martin Orford have also been members of Jadis.

The band's musical style consists of hard melodic rock, with emotional and often abstract lyrics by Nicholls. The two albums on which Menel wrote and performed have more immediately understandable lyrics, but a similar musical style..

1 Current formation

• Peter Nicholls - Vocals on all albums except Nomzamo and Are You Sitting Comfortably
• Mike Holmes - Guitars, Keyboards
• Martin Orford - Keyboards, Backing vocals
• John Jowitt - Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Paul Cook - Drums

2 Former members

• Paul Menel (a.k.a. P. L. Menel) - Vocals on Nomzamo and Are You Sitting Comfortably
• Tim Esau - Bass guitar (early albums)

3 Discography

• Seven Stories into Eight (cassette) ( 1982)
• Tales from the Lush Attic ( 1983Events January January 1 Beat Raaflaub became Basel Boys Choir's new conductor January 1 the ARPANET officially changes to use the Internet Protocol, creating the Internet. January 1 compulsory wearing of seat belts becomes law in the UK. January 2 The mu)
• The Wake ( 19851985 is a common year starting on Tuesday. Events January events January 1 Creation of the Internet's Domain Name System. January 17 British Telecom annouces they are going to abolish the famous red telephone boxes. January 23 A debate in the House of Lor)
• Living Proof (live) ( 19861986 is a common year starting on Wednesday. Events January January 1 Spain and Portugal enter the European Community January 1 Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands and is separated from the Netherlands Antilles. January 9 After losing a pa)
• Nine in a Pond is Here ( 19871987 is a common year starting on Thursday. Events January January 1 Nunavut's capital changes it name to Iqaluit from Frobisher Bay. January 3 Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. January 4 An Amtrak train) ("official bootleg" of demos etc, CD version is abridged)
• Nomzamo ( 19871987 is a common year starting on Thursday. Events January January 1 Nunavut's capital changes it name to Iqaluit from Frobisher Bay. January 3 Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. January 4 An Amtrak train)
• Are you Sitting Comfortably? ( 19891989 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 7 Akihito becomes Emperor of Japan following the death of Hirohito. The Heisei period begins January 8 the Kegworth Air Disaster A British Midland Boeing 737 cra) (title derived from BBC radio programme "Listen with Mother")
• J'ai Pollette D'arnu ( 1990) (b-sides and live tracks)
• Ever ( 1993)
• ForEver Live ( 1993)
• Subterranea ( 1997)
• Seven Stories into Ninety Eight ( 1998) (original 1982 album plus new re-recorded version)
• The Lost Attic ( 1999) (rarities)
• Subterranea : The Concert ( 2000)
• The Seventh House ( 2000)
• Dark Matter ( 2004)