Icicle Works, The

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The Icicle Works Band

The British band The Icicle Works was named after Frederik Pohl's 1960 short story titled "The Day the Icicle Works Closed".  They formed in Liverpool in 1980, and after making a name for themselves in the club circuit, they self-released an EP called Ascending in 1982.  The single "Nirvana" from this album actually charted on the UK Indie chart at 15.  This early success landed them a record deal.

After releasing their biggest UK hit in 1983, "Love is a Wonderful Colour", their debut self-titled album followed in 1984.  In was around this time that the re-mixed song "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" hit the airwaves (their only song to chart on the US Hot 100).  Other albums the band released in the 80's include The Small Price of a Bicycle (1985), If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song (1987), and Blind (1988).  They were unable to match their earlier success, although Blind did feature a song to chart on the US Modern Rock Chart called "High Time".

The band had a major split in the late 1980's, but vocalist Ian McNabb kept the spark alive with new members.  The Icicle Work's last studio album was 1990's Permanent Damage.  The second version of the band broke up shortly after htis album was released.  It has been said that the band failed to continue their success due to their gradual change in sound from New Wave to Rock.  In 2006, after many years as a solo artist, McNabb went on tour in the UK under the Icehouse moniker.  Icehouse was known to be active on stage as late as 2011.  The current Icehouse Discography is as follows:

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  • 1984: The Icicle Works
  • 1985: The Small Price of a Bicycle
  • 1985: Seven Singles Deep
  • 1987: If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy, Sing His Song
  • 1988: Blind
  • 1990: Permanent Damage
  • 1992: The Best of The Icicle Works
  • 1994: BBC Live in Concert