THE RAPID DEMISE OF TEST ICICLES

Much like my aforementioned broken shoulder, the story of the band Test Icicles is quite a tragedy. Super young “it” kids from the UK, barely in their 20s, on the verge of indie-cred super-stardom, playing wirey, aggressive melodic Anglo punk, akin to a Bloc Party with balls…it had a catchy sound, it was angry as fuck, and you could dance to it…and then it was over before it ever even really started

I guess these wee lil’ knumbskulls couldn’t put aside their personal issues long enough to enjoy their impending underground rock stardom and make a serious buck or two. The band broke up right before their first major US tour. What a bloody waste…

Says Wikipedia of the band’s colorful name: According to the label, the name “Test Icicles” is derived not from the word testicles but rather from an alleged practice of early man involving the “testing” of icicles for their 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 – “Your Biggest Mistake”, from For Screening Purposes Only (2005)

TEST ICICLES – “Pull The Lever”, from For Screening Purposes Only (2005)

Afraid of the spotlight!

-KW