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.