Icon A.D.
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Leeds, England |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Leeds , England |
| Products | Music recordings (EPs, live sessions, compilations) |
Icon A.D.—initially known simply as Icon—was an English anarcho-punk ensemble that originated in Leeds in 1979. They contributed to the 1980 compilation album Bullshit Detector released by Crass and performed a session for BBC Radio 1's Peel session in 1982. Their first EP, Don't Feed Us Shit, attained the twentieth position on the UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts. Notably, broadcaster Steve Lamacq recognized their follow-up EP Let The Vultures Fly... as among his preferred UK punk releases.
History
Prior to establishing Icon, Sharp-Weir and Holmes were active in local punk outfits such as the Jackets and Terminal Boredom. The band was formed in 1979 at Temple Moor High School with Phil Smith and Dicky Walton completing the lineup. Early performances included gigs at venues like the F Club and Tiffany's. After submitting a demo tape to members of Crass, Icon secured a place on the 1980 compilation album Bullshit Detector. The group dissolved initially in 1981 when some members finished school, although Sharp and Holmes persisted in rehearsals.
In 1982, Sharp and Holmes revived the band under the name Icon A.D., incorporating Caroline Holmes and Bev Smith as vocalists. Their EP Don't Feed Us Shit, released through Radical Change records, climbed to number twenty on the UK Independent chart. They added bassist Roger Turnbull, formerly of Leeds post-punk band F-3, and resumed live shows. Following Caroline Holmes's departure, Bev Smith assumed sole vocal duties. October 1982 saw them record a session for John Peel, succeeded by their second EP Let The Vultures Fly.... The group ultimately disbanded in early 1983.
A comprehensive collection of their recordings was issued in 2006 by Underground Records under the title ...Lest We Forget.
Musical style
Icon A.D.'s sound is classified within the anarcho punk genre. Guitarist Sharp-Weir identified their primary inspiration as fellow Leeds punk band Abrasive Wheels, alongside influences such as Crass, Killing Joke, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Ramones, AC/DC, and Motörhead. Their musical approach blended intensity with melodic elements.
Discography
- EPs
- Don't Feed Us Shit (1982)
- Let The Vultures Fly... (1982)
- Live
- John Peel Session (1982)
- Compilations
- ...Lest We Forget (2006)
Members
- Final line-up
- Bev Smith – vocals (1982–1983)
- Craig Sharp-Weir – guitar (1979–1983)
- Roger Turnbull – bass (1982–1983)
- Mark Holmes – drums (1979–1983)
- Former
- Dicky Walton – vocals (1979–1981)
- Phil Smith – bass (1979–1981)
- Mick – bass (1981)
- Caroline Holmes – vocals (1982)