Icons of Filth started life as Mock Death in Cardiff in 1979 with Aitch on drums, Daffy on guitar, Socket on bass and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties. After several gigs in the local area, Mock Death called it a day after 1 year. Atomic filth formed shortly afterwards with Socket, Daffy and Aitch from Mock Death and Stig on vocals. Within a year the name has been changed to Icons of Filth and Socket leaves to be replaced on bass by ed. After gigging extensively, the cassette LP "Not On Her Majesties Service" is recorded in October 1982 becoming the 1st release on Conflict's Mortarhate label, this 1st release showcases Stigs intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics which are lined up as a full-frontal attack on those in positions of authority. This is followed up by the May 1983 recording "Used, Abused and Unamused" which is was released on Corpus Christi records. Ed leaves after this to be replaced by Fish on bass. In December 1983, "Onward Christian Soldiers" was recorded and released on Mortarhate records. This LP was the first Icons recording which showed their absolute condemnation of the abuses our fellow creatures suffer at the hands of humans. After extensively gigging during 1984, usually with Conflict, the "Brain Death" EP was recorded in Oct 1984. This was followed in April 1985 by the "Filth & the Fury" EP. Not long after this the different members drifted apart due to family and job commitments. After a long hiatus Icons of Filth reformed with the original recording line-up (Stig, Aitch, Daffy and Ed) and in 2001 recorded "Nostradamnedus" for Go-Kart records proving that, even though they'd matured both lyrically and musically, they'd lost none of their punk or Anarchist ideals. Pete from Spite/In The Shit joined as a second guitarist and Icons of Filth started gigging extensively again, doing 2 tours of the U.S., played a festival in Slovenia and many gigs in the U.K., most of which were benefits for various causes. While playing at a squat gig in Hackney, London on October 23rd 2004 Stig complained of feeling unwell and died of a heart attack shortly afterwards. His lyrics, actions and convictions live on in the hearts and minds of many. Stig RIP.