Description

'The Icicle Works celebrate 35 years of the music of the Mercury-nominated artist Ian McNabb. Their greatest songs and more. Two hour show plus, with interval. No support.'

Emerging from the profligate network of Liverpudlian bands that existed during the punk rock and new wave era, the Icicle Works was formed by Ian McNabb (3 November 1960, Liverpool, Merseyside, England; vocals/guitar), Chris Layhe (bass), and Chris Sharrock (drums). McNabb was formerly in City Limits with the near-legendary Edie Shit (b. Howie Mimms), and Sharrock played with the Cherry Boys (who also included Mimms at one point). Taking their name from a science fiction short story - Frederik Pohl's The Day The Icicle Works Closed Down - they made their recording debut with a six-track cassette, Ascending, released on the local Probe Plus emporium in 1981. The band then founded their own Troll Kitchen label on which they prepared 'Nirvana', their premier single. Gaining support from BBC disc jockey John Peel, they came to the attention of Beggars Banquet Records, initially through their Situation 2 offshoot. Their second single, 'Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)', was an 'indie' hit, but they had to wait for the next effort, 'Love Is A Wonderful Colour', to breach the UK Top 20. The subject matter was typically subverted by McNabb's irony and cynicism ('When love calls me, I shall be running swiftly, To find out, just what all the fuss is all about').

Teaming up with producer Ian Broudie (ex-Big In Japan) helped the Icicle Works to a string of singles successes over the ensuing years, including 'Hollow Horse' and 'Understanding Jane', with their sound gradually shifting from subtle pop to harder rock territory. In 1986, they recruited Dave Green on keyboards, but the following year the band was turned upside down when both Sharrock and Layhe left within a short space of time. Sharrock joined the La's and later drummed for World Party. Layhe's role was taken by former Black bass player Roy Corkhill, while the drummer's stool was claimed by Zak Starkey, whose father Ringo Starr formerly drummed for another Liverpool band. This line-up prospered for a short time but in 1989 McNabb assembled a new band. Retaining only Corkhill, he added Mark Revell on guitar and vocals, Dave Baldwin on keyboards, and Paul Burgess on drums. The band signed a new recording contract with Epic Records and released one album before McNabb left to go solo.

One of England's most underrated and natural lyricists, McNabb's cult status has continued into the new millennium, while his time with the Icicle Works has left a rich legacy of songwriting.

Description

A very iconic Derby public house famed for its range of real ales.

It is also one of Derby's few live music venues.

The building consists of a front room with bar and seating continuing round into the rest of the bar area. There is also a small comfortable seating area in the back bar area with a viewing panel of the pubs stillage.

Free acoustic sessions: Monday 8pm, Wednesday 9pm and Sunday 4pm to 7pm.

Nepalese cuisine 7pm to 9pm every Tuesday.

Children welcome until 9pm

19-25 King Street,

Derby,

Derbyshire,

England,

DE1 3DZ.

01332 204 955