Icehouse -

Icehouse was an Australian New Wave/art-rock band from Sydney that released five albums on Chrysalis between 1981 and 1987, followed by a trio of titles on Massive during the 1990s. The band were originally called Flowers and released their first album, Icehouse, under that name on Regular in 1980. The name-change was prompted by the album’s Northern Hemisphere issue the following year, when it was decided that the title was more congruent with the band’s musical style and image.

Members: Iva Davies (lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, oboe), John Lloyd (drums, percussion, 1981-84), Keith Welsh (bass, vocals, 1981), Robert Kretschmer (guitar, backing vocals, 1982-89), Andy Qunta (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals, 1982-88), Guy Pratt (bass, backing vocals, 1982-86), Michael Hoste (keyboards, 1982-83), Simon Lloyd (saxophone, trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals, 1984-91), Paul Wheeler (drums, percussion, 1985-present), Glenn Krawczyk (bass, 1986), Steve Morgan (bass, backing vocals, 1987-91)

Icehouse formed in 1977 when multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Iva Davies teamed with bassist Keith Welsh. Davies was working part-time at a squash court owned by Welsh’s mom.

Davies (b. Ivor Arthur Davies, May 22, 1955, Wauchope) had studied oboe and composition at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music. In 1971, at age 16, he was briefly contracted to M7 Records with the Lucy Fields Jug Band, but a change in company hands thwarted the project. In 1974, Davies performed Handel’s Concerto for Oboe in E♭ major with the Strathfield Symphony. His first single, “Leading Lady” (b/w “I’m Gonna Give You All My Love”), appeared on RCA Victor in 1975. Its followup, “Back to California” (b/w “I Can Reach You”), was co-credited to Afghan.

Davies, Welsh, and keyboardist Michael Hoste named their new band Flowers. They hit the local pub circuit playing covers by Ultravox, Brian Eno, Roxy Music, and David Bowie. In 1979, John Lloyd (ex-Paul Kelly and the Dots) joined on drums and Hoste temporarily cleared way for keyboardist Anthony Smith. After signing with indie Regular Records, the band debuted with the single “Can’t Help Myself” (b/w “Send Somebody“) in May 1980.

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