TEST ICICLES

'Test Icicles' were a short-lived rock band formed in the UK, primarily influenced by indie rock but containing musical elements from a variety of genres (notably rapcore, hip-hop, crossover thrash and punk). The band was formed in 2004 by Rory Attwell and Sam Mehran, and later joined by Devonte Hynes, who was originally invited to fill in at a performance in Brighton, England and afterward became a permanent member of the band.

Contents

History

Personnel

Equipment

Discography

Demos

Studio albums

Singles

Trivia

References

External links

History

★ Test Icicles performed a series of club shows with bands like The Unicorns before signing to veteran UK indie label Domino Records; their debut single, "Boa vs. Python", was critically praised — though it had initially been rejected by Domino as not commercial enough. The label, which according to the ''NME'' signed the band unseen, had been anticipating a sound similar to that of the then Franz-Ferdinand-dominated scene, and the jagged, fuzzy noise of Test Icicles' post-punk had come as a shock. Test Icicles used MySpace as a key way of gaining fans and getting their music heard.
One uncommon factor about the band was that each had several songs where they would sing and the other two would play on guitar to pre-recorded bass and drum tracks (using an iPod).
According to the label, the name "Test Icicles" is derived not from the word ''testicles'' but rather from an alleged practice of early man of "testing" icicles for strength and fitness for use as weapons. This, however, is extremely debatable considering the fact that a previous side project of band members Sam and Rory was named "Balls".
Test Icicles all met each other in London night clubs. They would frequently see each other but they never talked. Sam and Rory formed a band and played as Balls with Ferry Gouw Semifinalists. Ferry was going home for summer, when they realised Balls had been booked to play with the Unicorns. Not wanting to cancel the gig they decided to form a Balls sister-band called Test Icicles. Dev was then recruited to join Test Icicles. In early 2005, the three moved to a house in Stoke-Newington. In this house they would record lots of demos. After many attempts they were signed by Domino Records, and they went to France where they recorded songs for the album.
Following the release of their 2005 album, ''For Screening Purposes Only'', the band toured the United States with Art Brut before returning to Europe for additional performances.
The three members are now active outside of Test Icicles, claiming to be variously involved in over twenty side projects among them. Hynes and Mehran participate in a glam metal–hip hop fusion project, NLS Crew; Attwell is a member of several other bands including Lock Horns and Dogger.
In 2006, they remixed Alkaline Trio's single 'Burn' from the album Crimson. The track appears on the CD single.
In February 2006, the band announced they were splitting up.^[1] In an interview with ''NME'' in March 2006, Dev claimed that "we were never, ever that keen on the music. I understand that people liked it, but we personally, er, didn't."
However, Devonte Hynez went on to form a new project involved with members from the band Semifinalists and the solo artist Tom Vek to create the band Naked Babes. The band have now 'unofficially' split according to Devonte Hynez, much like their old short-lasting bands (pre-Test Icicles).
Dev now works under the name Lightspeed Champion and is due to release his first single "Galaxy of Lost". He has also collaborated with Whirlwind Heat under the name Lightspeed Heat. In 2007, they released a 7" EP, however this was a one of side project.
After Test Icicles split, Rory formed the band RAT:ATT:AGG, now known as 'Wrists', with members of the band Bullet union and also doing various remixes for bands such as Fake Shark - Real Zombie! and The Kills.
Sam moved to America after the split, and it is believed he is no longer in contact with his former bandmates.

Personnel

★ Rory Attwell (Raary Deci-hells, Raary Rambert RAT ATT AGG) English (Born in London) — guitar, vocals

★ Sam Mehran (Sam E Danger, Sam E Slaughter) American (Born in Miami moved and then lived in Adelaide, Australia, then New York, then moved to England) — vocals, guitar

★ Devonte Hynes (Dev Metal, !Ved) American (Born in Houston, Texas moved and lived in Essex, United Kingdom) — guitar, keyboards, vocals

Equipment

★ Rory Attwell (Guitars - Wilson Bros. Venture VM-75, Fender '72 Deluxe Telecaster)

★ Devonte Hynes (Guitars - Squier HH Showmaster (hot pink), Aria II Pro ZZ Deluxe, and in earlier shows, he used a Telecaster copy).

★ Sam Mehran (Guitars - Les Paul Deluxe copy, Peavey Raptor)
Amps - all three of the members switch off on guitar duties, usually sharing the same amps. usually using a Peavey Valveking 1x12, o a small Trace Elliot combo, or Fender Hot Rod deluxe.
Keyboard - Korg Microkorg.
Effects - it is hard to see the effects Test Icicles use, but one picture shows an Electro Harmonix WORM modulation pedal. Probably responsible for the ring modulation effect in "Boa Vs. Python".
They also claimed to use the same effects as KoRn in an interview.

Discography

Demos

★ ''4 Track Demo'' (July 2004)

Studio albums

★ ''For Screening Purposes Only'' (October 31, 2005) #69 UK

Singles

★ ''Boa vs. Python'' (August 1, 2005) #46 UK

★ ''Circle. Square. Triangle'' (October 24, 2005) #25 UK

★ ''What's Your Damage?'' (January 16, 2006) #31 UK #17 UK indie singles charts ^[2].

★ ''Totally Re-F
★
★
★ ed'' (March 6, 2006) #133 UK

★ ''Dig Your Own Grave'' (May 9, 2006)

Trivia

★ The song "Circle. Square. Triangle" has been re-recorded four times and featured in a trailer of the upcoming 2007 comedy, ''Hot Rod''.

References

1. http://www.nme.com/news/test-icicles/22284
2. http://web.archive.org/web/20060215085235/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/indiesingles.shtml

External links

★ TestIcicles.com

★ Test Icicles at Domino Records

★ Farewell gig review on Sound Generator

★ Coverage in ''NME''

★ "Band of the Day: Test Icicles", ''Spin'', November 2, 2005

★ PUNKCAST #836 - video of Test Icicles' first U.S. show at Sin-é, New York City, on September 15, 2005