The Icicle Works

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Liverpool, England (1980 – 1990, 2006 – 2008, 2011 – present)

The Icicle Works is an alternative rock band which formed in Liverpool, England in 1980. The band’s original lineup consisted of Ian McNabb (vocals, guitar), Chris Layhe (bass, percussion) and Chris Sharrock (drums). Layhe and Sharrock left the band in 1988, but McNabb continued the band with replacement members until 1990. McNabb reformed the band with different replacement members in 2006, but this incarnation lasted only until 2008. In 2011, McNabb reformed the band once more for a tour celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary. Since leaving the band, Chris Sharrock became the drummer for numerous bands, including The La’s, World Party, Oasis and Beady Eye.

Named after the 1960 short story “The Day The Icicle Works Closed” by science fiction author Frederik Pohl, The Icicle Works joined Liverpool’s early 1980s ‘neo-psychedelia’ wave, which also propelled Echo & the Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes to stardom.

The band was founded in Liverpool by 18-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and frontman Ian McNabb. In 1980, McNabb joined up with drummer Chris Sharrock (who had been playing with McNabb on and off since he was nine) and bassist Chris Layhe (who had been recruited though a classified ad), and they began playing as The Icicle Works. By the end of 1981, the trio had recorded a six-song independently released cassette, and in 1982 they released the independent single “Nirvana”.
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  • dAniel_brit

    Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) <3

    last month

  • alliedbakeries

    McNabb at Radio Lancashire. See my journal.

    last month

  • alliedbakeries

    Managed to get tickets to see Ian McNabb perform new album LITTLE EPISODES at BBC Radio Lancashire,Blackburn on 29th March. Watch this space.

    March 2012

  • Lesscities

    This group could've been one of my favourites, when it was more known in Germany... Nice arranged sounds...Fantastic music and voice.

    August 2011

  • slowpulse-girl

    LOVE LOVE LOVE

    July 2011

  • alliedbakeries

    Google the following acts for ICICLE WORKS connections 1.YOUNG WORLD. 2.CITY LIGHTS. 3.OUR KID. 4.SPY CANDY. Dodgy but interesting.

    June 2011

  • MazzyJ70

    Most of my Icicle Works stuff is on second hand vinyl from student days, therefore doesn't scrobble... Sounds as fresh as ever

    June 2011

  • RumbleFishing

    The s/t album absolutely the best wave record of the 80's ... great singing, great guitar, great DRUMS !! Totally energetic one way, totally calm the other. I was a damn good air-drummer at that time. Nostalgic ... I remember writing down the lyrics while listening to the LP over and over again, and translating it into my own language, the first few years we had English at school. Still remember the whole lyrics stuff.

    June 2011
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