Origin: Phoenix, Arizona (USA)
ICON
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| Dan Wexler - Pat Dixon - Stephen Clifford - Tracy Wallach - John Aquilino |
st - 1984 (with lyrics)
Night of the crime - 1985 (with lyrics)
Right between the eyes - 1989 (with lyrics)Notes:
- Melodic Heavy Metal band ICON made a huge impression with their classy debut album but unfortunately struggled to capitalise on this success, much to the disappointment of a sizable fan base. The group started life as THE SCHOOLBOYS in their native Phoenix, Arizona. The roots of the unit was assembled by high school friends David Michael Phillips (a.k.a. David Henzerling) on guitar and John Covington on drums, initially taking the title DRIVER. Demos were recorded with Jim Seagraves on vocals.
The founding duo then relocated out of Arizona, Henzerling to San Diego and Covington to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Upon journeying back to their home state bassist Dan Wexler was recruited from rical local band ICE as THE SCHOOLBOYS title was adopted. The new band also featured vocalist Stephen Clifford and bassist Tracy Wallach.
THE SCHOOLBOYS issued the 1980 EP 'Singin', Shoutin'. A track from this limited edition release, 'Meanstreet Machine', would later surface on the KING KOBRA 'III' album. THE SCHOOLBOYS folded, with Covington and Henzerling forging SWISS BANKS.
The trio of Wexler, Wallach and Clifford morphed into ICON as Henzerling and Covington's places were replaced by John Aquilino and Pat Dixon respectively. Covington relocated to California to join GREG LEON INVASION. He would sibsequently work with SOLITUDE AETURNUS and then reunite with David Henzerling in BIG COCK. Henzerling's post THE SCHOOLBOYS lineage included terms of duty with KING KOBRA and LIZZY BORDEN.
ICON, discovered by Shrapnel Records Mike Varney, changed their name upon signing to Capitol Records. Mike Varney produced the band's debut album himself which received huge underground praise on the Metal scene. The original intention was to issue the record on the Shrapnel imprint but ICON was soon snapped up by major label Capitol Records. The second album, 'Night Of The Crime' produced by the esteemed Eddie Kramer and mixed by the equally highly respected Ron Nevison, found ICON dropping the favoured heaviosity of the debut under pressure from their label Favouring more of a commercial route the band also roped in the services of professional songwriter BOB HALLIGAN JR., a man noted for his work with JUDAS PRIEST and HELIX among others.
This move tended to find favour with European based import buyers who considered the album to be nothing short of a classic by fans of American Hard Rock. Unbelievably, 'Night Of The Crime' failed to dent the charts. Clifford quit during mixing stages of the album, reportedly to become a born again Christian. Aquilino made his exit a year later to be replaced by Kevin Stoller as ICON substituted second guitar for keyboards.
Despite this setback Wallach, Wexler and Dixon persevered, recruiting vocalist Jerry Harrison and guitarist Drew Bollman. Recordings were made in a much lighter vein than before, which saw the light of day as the 'A More Perfect Union' cassette album. Although thought to be an unofficial release by many this cassette was in actual fact a bona fide Capitol Records release.
Performing tribute gigs to raise funds under the bizarre assumed name of ASSMASTER in their native Arizona, ICON soon got back on the road. ICON's efforts were rewarded with a deal from Megaforce Records. The resulting album, 'Right Between The Eyes', was given a boost by the inclusion of ALICE COOPER guesting on vocals on the tracks 'Two For The Road' and 'Holy Man's War'.
The ALICE COOPER connection did not end there as Wexler recorded rhythm guitar with the great man on the studio track 'Lost In America' for his 'Fistful Of Alice' album. The guitarist also co-wrote four tracks on ALICE COOPER's 'Last Temptation' concept album. Wexler would also aid songstress LYDIAN with her 1989 demos, his material later turning up on the 'With a Vengeance' album.
ICON supported BON JOVI and SKID ROW during 1989 prior to drummer Pat Dixon being replaced by ex-SAMMY HAGAR man David Lauser. The group toured in Britain during March and April 1990 opening for label mates KING'S X and would also put in shows with ACE FREHLEY. Returning from Europe the band, following a smattering of shows on American soil, duly folded.
Dan Wexler and Pat Dixon forged the TOMCATS, a collaboration with vocalist Tommy Dean, guitarist David Michael Phillips (a.k.a. Dave Henzerling) of the THE SCHOOLBOYS, KEEL, GERONIMO and KING KOBRA plus bassist Tom Rucci. When this unit folded Dean jumped ship to ASPHALT BALLET. Harrison subsequently fronted HARLEQUIN.
The first two albums were released on CD by Capitol in Japan in 1994. The German label Bear Tracks subsequently released the records in Europe during 1995. The same year Wexler released a strictly limited edition pressing of the 'A More Perfect Union' album on CD along with a number of demos and previously unreleased tracks under the title of 'An Even More Perfect Union'. Copies were individually numbered and signed by Wexler. -
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