IQ

IQ is a British progressive rock band from Southampton, active since 1981. It is one of the best-known neo-progressive rock groups to emerge from the UK scene, and it forms after Mike Holmes and Martin Orford leave their previous band, The Lens.

History and line-up

The band begins in 1981 and undergoes several line-up changes over time. Its original recording line-up remains intact apart from Orford. The members listed across the band’s history include Tim Esau, Martin Orford, Michael Holmes, Peter Nicholls, Paul Cook, Paul Menel, Les Marshall, John Jowitt, Andy Edwards, Mark Westworth and Neil Durant.

Style and reputation

IQ works within neo-progressive rock and progressive rock. Although it does not achieve major commercial success, it builds a loyal following and remains active. The group becomes associated with long-form, album-based progressive rock and maintains a presence in the UK and European live circuit.

Recordings

The band’s studio albums include Tales from the Lush Attic (1983), The Wake (1985), Nomzamo (1987), Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989), Ever (1993), Subterranea (1997), Seven Stories into '98 (1998), The Seventh House (2000), Dark Matter (2004), Frequency (2009), The Road of Bones (2014), Resistance (2019) and Dominion.

Anniversary activity

In 2021 and 2022, IQ performs a series of concerts in the UK and Europe to mark its 40th anniversary.