Do You Remember The First Time? pt II

I remember the first time I heard Test Icicles.
I hadn't heard much about them, but I asked for their album For Screening Puropses Only for Christmas, I don't really know why, just a flight of fancy.
When I turned it on, it sounded like pure noise, they have been described by one critic (and is probably my favourite review ever) as "sounds like someone kicking a cast iron sink down some stone steps."
But the more and more I listened to their album, the more it blew my head off.
Every song at first sounds like it is being played in a garage by kids, but the more you listen, the more you realise these songs have been produced so close to perfect as is possible.


Cirlce.Square.Triangle
When people ask me who my favourite band ever are; I tell them Test Icicles, of course, anyone worth their salt in all things capital radio do not have the first idea who Test Icicles are. They ask what type of music they are...and I am at a loss to explain or generalise.
Rock? Thrash? Metal? Hardcore? emo? Emo-Hardcore? Indie? Alternative?
Probably, but then probably not.

Unlike most, if not all bands, Test Icicles were not willing to perform for the likes of MTV to enhance their fame, well, they did once, in Germany and they had a right laugh, at the expense of quality and stunk the place up, just...because...


Or XFM


They decided they didn't enjoy making the type of music Test Icicles music played, so decided they would go their separate ways and make the music they wanted to do.
With only one album & 2 singles released, the Test Icicles disbanded, leaving a very large Test Icicles-shaped hole in my heart.

But I did get to see them perform live at their last eeever gig in the Astoria.


I have to say it was the best evening I have ever had, they literally blew me away, and as I am writing this and thinking about it, I am getting goosebumps.

Test Icicles, did it their way, and when they didn't want to, they didn't.