“Music is everything,” says Ian McNabb, and after spending an hour chatting with him on the latest episode of Misadventures in Music, it’s easy to believe.
The legendary frontman of The Icicle Works sits down with Ian Prowse and Mick Ord to talk about his career, songwriting, and his latest album 65 which includes a very special cover of R.E.M.’s So. Central Rain featuring none other than Peter Buck himself.
For fans of Liverpool music, the conversation is a goldmine.
McNabb reflects on the early days of The Icicle Works, revealing the quirky story behind the band’s iconic name and sharing anecdotes from the city’s vibrant music scene. It’s the kind of insight you can only get from someone who lived it, from small club gigs to the heights of alternative chart success in the 1980s.
Ian talks about songwriting as both a craft and an instinctive process, how ideas form, evolve, and sometimes surprise even their creators. He also shares the story behind covering a classic like So. Central Rain, and how collaborating with Peter Buck brought a fresh dimension to a song many fans already hold dear.
Beyond the technicalities of music-making, McNabb’s reflections are personal, funny, and often revealing. He talks about the highs and lows of a long career, the unpredictability of life on the road, and what it means to keep creating across generations.
For listeners, it’s a rare chance to hear the man behind the music speak candidly, without press releases or PR filters.
Whether you’re a longtime Icicle Works fan, a Liverpool music obsessive, or just someone who loves stories behind the songs, this episode is a must-listen. It’s honest, entertaining, and packed with music history delivered straight from the source.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Misadventures in Music on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts — and get ready to discover the stories behind one of Liverpool’s most enduring bands.
