Ian McNabb started his musical career with a Cabaret band called "Young World" working men΄s clubs, weddings and other such events. Chris Sharrock joined the band at the age of nine. At the age of 16, Ian joined another band called "City Lights". Throughout this time, Chris and Ian remained good friends. When Chris Sharrock tired of playing in the ΄Mod΄ band called "The Cherry Boys" he hooked up with Ian again. They found a third band member in Chris Layhe who had previously been playing with the band "Eleanor" and taking their name from a science fiction novel, formed "The Icicle Works" in 1980.