IQ

Rising from the ashes of The Lens in 1981, the original line up of Peter Nicholls, Michael Holmes, Martin Orford, Paul Cook and Tim Esau formed a band achieving the impossible - the combination of such diverse styles as prog, punk, jazz and even reggae. Their first cassette album, later re-released on GEP as 'Seven Stories into 98', is still an outstanding example of that. Both their first vinyl albums 'Tales From the Lush Attic' and 'The Wake' gained instant classic status in the 'new wave of british progressive rock'. Soon the band became a regular in London's world famous Marquee club, performing more than 200 gigs each year in the UK and earning them a strong, heavily addicted following.

After signing to Polygram they recorded Nomzamo with the debut of new lead singer, Paul Menel featuring the single Promises which made it high in the Dutch charts. European tours and the album, Are you Sitting Comfortably followed, but then Menel and bass player Tim Esau left the band. What could have been the end was in fact just another beginning. Nicholls rejoined and was welcomed back enthusiastically at concerts in London and Paris.

At the same time GEP was founded by musicians and associates of IQ with the rarities album J´ai Pollette d´Arnu becoming the label's debut release. In 1993 IQ's comeback album Ever thrilled fans old and new with a modern and yet traditional interpretation of progressive rock. A storming tour of the UK and mainland Europe followed, with acclaimed festival appeareances in the USA and South America. In 1997, IQ released Subterrenea, a classical concept album with a very fresh approach which stunned both critics and fans alike.

Brought to the stage with a stunning visual show, featuring moving lights, moving screens, films and theatrical action, it set standards not only for IQ but for all other groups in the progrock vein. Just when everybody thought IQ couldn´t push it any further, again the band convinced the public with the opposite: The Seventh House (2000) and Dark Matter (2005) are musical gems, featuring some of the strongest songs IQ have written. Their latest album, 2009's Frequency, marked another highlight in an outstanding career and was presented to a large audience in the UK, Germany, Holland and the USA. Aside from the studio works, GEP has released a set of live performances by IQ on CD and DVD that give an insight into the fantastic work of the band on stage.

The timespan reaches from their mid-80´s performance with the 'Live from London' DVD to the celebrated 'Forever Live' show in Kleve/Germany to a double DVD feature 'Stage' from the Dark Matter Tour along with 'IQ20', a magical night in London to celebrate the band's 20th Anniversary. 2010 marked the 25th anniversary of IQ's classic album 'The Wake' and this occasion is celebrated by a very special limited edition deluxe edition of this fantastic album. April 2012 saw the first ever vinyl issue of 'Subterranea' with all new artwork and deluxe packaging. The first 500 copies included a free 12" single containing 2 songs which didn't make it onto the album. As 2012 draws to a close, IQ have begun work on writing the next studio album.

Expect works in progress to be performed live over the coming months. 2013 sees the release of the sumptuous 'Tales From The Lush Attic - 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition' featuring a brand new mix of the album from the original master tapes, together with bonus tracks and accompanying DVD.