"Icons of Filth started life as Mock Death in Cardiff in 1979, with Aitch (Mark Wilson) on drums, Daffy (Simon DeManuel) on guitar, Socket (Tony Watts) on bass and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties. After a year of local performances, that band dissolved.
They reformed as Atomic Filth shortly afterwards with Socket, Daffy and Aitch from Mock Death and Stig (Andrew Sewell) on vocals. Within a year the name had been changed to Icons of Filth and Socket had left, to be replaced on bass by Ed. They recorded their demo 'Not On Her Majesty's Service' in September 1982, becoming the first release on Conflict's Mortarhate label. This was followed up with the 1983 7" 'Used, Abused, Unamused' which was released on Corpus Christi Records. Ed left after this release and was replaced by Fish (Richard Edwards). In December 1983, 'Onward Christian Soldiers' was recorded then released the following March, again on Mortarhate. After a series of performances in 1984, usually with Conflict, the 'Brain Death' 7" was released in October 1984. This was followed in April 1985 by the 'Filth & The Fury' EP, the band then went on extended hiatus.
While playing a reunion gig in Hackney on October 23rd 2004, Stig complained of feeling unwell. He died of a heart attack that night. The remnants of the group played two benefit gigs (for Stig's children) in London and Los Angeles, after which they decided to disband indefinitely. They reformed again for two performances in Cardiff to commemorate the ten year anniversary of his death, playing with his now grown son's bands."
