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The Icicle Works

From Alfawiki
The Icicle Works
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1980 in Liverpool, England
FounderIan McNabb, Chris Sharrock, Chris Layhe
Headquarters
Liverpool
,
England
Area served
United Kingdom, United States, Canada
Key people
Ian McNabb, Chris Sharrock, Chris Layhe, Mark Brzezicki, Jack Hymers
ProductsMusic albums and singles

The Icicle Works—referred to simply as Icicle Works within the United States—are an English alternative rock group whose name is inspired by Frederik Pohl's 1960 short story, "The Day the Icicle Works Closed." They secured a top 20 position in the UK charts with their 1983 single "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" and achieved top 40 status in both the US and Canada with the 1984 hit "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)".

The founding members consisted of vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and songwriter Ian McNabb, drummer Chris Sharrock, and bassist Chris Layhe. Between 1984 and 1988, they released four studio albums. After disbanding in 1989, McNabb continued to perform under The Icicle Works moniker alongside various musicians. Layhe briefly reunited with the band in 2024, embarking on an acoustic duo tour with McNabb. Presently, the ensemble functions as a trio featuring McNabb, drummer Mark Brzezicki, and keyboardist Jack Hymers.

1980–1983: Formation and early years

Originating in Liverpool in 1980, bassist Chris Layhe responded to an advertisement placed by then 20-year-old Ian McNabb. They subsequently recruited drummer Chris Sharrock, formerly of the Cherry Boys, and began performing under the name "The Icicle Works."

In 1981, they self-produced a six-track cassette entitled Ascending. Their 1982 independent single "Nirvana" climbed to No. 15 on the UK Indie Chart. After signing with Beggars Banquet Records, their track "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" was released through the label’s Situation Two imprint.

Their most significant UK chart success arrived in 1983 with "Love Is a Wonderful Colour", which entered the Top 15. Their eponymous debut album released in 1984 reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart and broke into the US Top 40. The American edition of "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" was retitled and remixed, achieving top 40 status in the US and reaching the top twenty in Canada.

1984–1988: Touring years

Following their initial album release, The Icicle Works faced challenges replicating their early commercial achievements but continued to earn critical praise and maintain a dedicated following both domestically and abroad.

In September 1984, they issued "Hollow Horse" exclusively in the UK; although it did not chart successfully, it became a staple of their live performances. Later singles such as the Motown-inspired "All The Daughters" and folk-rock influenced "Seven Horses" also failed to chart. Keyboardist Chris "Tugsie" Turrill joined their live shows but was never formally part of the band nor featured on studio recordings. Prior to his involvement, McNabb and Layhe handled multiple instrumental roles during concerts.

Their sophomore album, The Small Price of a Bicycle (1985), was released only in the UK after Arista Records in the US declined to issue it, dismissing it as 'punk-rock demos.'

Starting in 1986, keyboardist Dave Green became an auxiliary member contributing both live and in studio sessions. That year saw Beggars Banquet release Seven Singles Deep, a UK-exclusive compilation featuring twelve-inch mixes that reached No. 52 on the UK Albums Chart.

The punk-influenced single "Understanding Jane," released in July 1986, peaked at No. 52 in the UK charts and was subsequently covered by The Wildhearts. Subsequent singles "Who Do You Want For Your Love" (No. 54) and "Evangeline" (No. 53) were included on their 1987 album If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song, produced by Ian Broudie. This album reached No. 28 on UK charts and was distributed both in Britain and North America.

The track "High Time," released as a single in 1987, reached No. 76 on UK charts but climbed to No. 13 on the US Modern Rock chart in 1988.

Their fourth studio effort, Blind (1988), produced by McNabb himself, entered the UK Top 40. The US version featured alternate cover art and track listings but contained popular songs such as "High Time" and "Little Girl Lost," which attained No. 59 on the UK Singles Chart.

1989–1991: Line-up Changes and Disbandment

By the end of the 1980s, internal conflicts intensified, primarily due to McNabb's dominant influence. By 1988, he was responsible for nearly all songwriting, vocals, guitar parts, and production duties on The Icicle Works' albums.

Following the release of Blind, drummer Chris Sharrock departed to join The La's. Sharrock subsequently became part of The Lightning Seeds, World Party, and contributed drums for artists such as Robbie Williams, Eurythmics, and Oasis. As of 2018, he performed with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Around the same period, bassist Layhe also exited. These departures led to Beggars Banquet ending their association with the band.

McNabb retained The Icicle Works name for his continuing efforts. Dave Green briefly joined as an official member but exited within a year. Drummer Zak Starkey had a short tenure, accompanied by various keyboardists and guitarists before releasing their final album, Permanent Damage (1990), under Epic/Sony. This formation consisted of McNabb, bassist Roy Corkill, drummer Paul Burgess (formerly of 10cc and Jethro Tull), keyboardist Dave Baldwin, and backing vocalist Mark Revell.

"The reason Permanent Damage was released under The Icicle Works was because Muff Winwood, who signed me to Epic, preferred a recognizable band name rather than just Ian McNabb. Nevertheless, it was essentially a solo project." – Ian McNabb

After Permanent Damage did not achieve chart success, this lineup disbanded and Epic Records dropped the group. In 1991, McNabb embarked on a solo career, debuting with the single "Great Dreams of Heaven".

A compilation album titled The Best of The Icicle Works was issued in 1992, highlighting their Beggars Banquet period. Additionally, a live album from 1987 was released in 1994.

2006–present: Reunion

Following fifteen years focused on his solo work, McNabb revived The Icicle Works name in 2006 for a series of six concerts across the UK. This ensemble included McNabb himself, former bassist Roy Corkill, keyboardist Richard Naiff, and drummer Mathew Priest, both drawn from McNabb’s solo backing band.

The group performed at GuilFest in 2007 and conducted a UK tour in December that year. Early in 2008, they played two complimentary shows in Liverpool. While McNabb continued solo performances through 2009–2010, The Icicle Works celebrated their 30th anniversary with concerts in 2011. Throughout the following decade, occasional gigs took place featuring McNabb and Corkill as permanent members until activities paused in 2022.

In 2024, Layhe officially returned after an absence of 35 years; the band then performed acoustic duo sets featuring only McNabb and Layhe.

Bassist Roy Corkill passed away in August 2024 after battling illness.

For their North American tour dates in 2025—their first appearances in the US and Canada in many years—the lineup comprises McNabb alongside drummer Mark Brzezicki and keyboardist Jack Hymers.

Band members

Current

  • Ian McNabb – guitar, lead vocals, keyboards (1980–1990, 2006–present)
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums (2025–present)
  • Jack Hymers – keyboards (2025–present)

Former

  • Chris Sharrock – drums (1981–1988)
  • Chris Layhe – bass, backing vocals (1980–1988, 2024)
  • Zak Starkey – drums (1988)
  • Dave Green – keyboards (1986–1988)
  • Dave Baldwin – keyboards (1989–1990)
  • Ged Lynch – drums (1989)
  • Mark Revell – backing vocals (1990)
  • Paul Burgess – drums (1990)
  • Roy Corkill – bass (1988–1990, 2006–2022; died 2024)
  • Richard Naiff – keyboards (2006–2022)
  • Mathew Priest – drums (2006–2022)

Albums

References

  • Whitburn, Joel (1987). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Albums. New York: Billboard Publications, Inc.
  • Whitburn, Joel (1987). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (3rd ed.). New York: Billboard Publications, Inc.
  • Official discography available on Ian McNabb's website
  • Barwood, Tony. Notes for the 2006 reissue of "The Icicle Works" album

External links

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