The Quireboys
The Quireboys performing in the Hammersmith Odeon venue in London, 7 April 1993
The Quireboys performing in the Hammersmith Odeon venue in London, 7 April 1993
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active1984–1993, 1995, 2001–present
Labels
MembersVarious; disputed (See personnel)
Past members
Websitequireboys.com

The Quireboys are an English rock band formed in 1984 in London, with strong ties to Newcastle. Originally known as The Queerboys, billed as The London Quireboys in the United States and Canada, settling at last with their current name.[1]

History

1985–1989: Formation

Vocalist Jonathan Gray (commonly referred to as just 'Spike') moved from Newcastle upon Tyne to London when he was 17 years old.[2]

By the mid-1980s, the two (who?) decided to form a rock and roll band, the name chosen for the group was originally 'The Choirboys' taken from the 1977 movie of the same name, but they soon changed it to the Queerboys.[3]

The Queerboys started to build up a following, playing at the Marquee Club.[4] The band's drummer Paul Hornby soon left to join Dogs D'Amour, which contained future friends of the Quireboys, he was replaced by Nick Connell (known as Cozy).[3]

On 28 March 1986, the Queerboys appeared with Bernie Torme and the Moho Pack at what was Klub Foot at the Clarendon Hotel, Hammersmith. In May of that year, they played support dates on a Cherry Bombz tour.[5]

By 1987, the band's controversial name was starting to hinder them, it caused some of the gigs on their tour with Andy McCoy's band to be cancelled. They were also booked to play Reading Festival, on the understanding that they would change their name. Thus they changed it to the Quireboys and have kept the name ever since.[3]

1990–1995: A Bit of What You Fancy and Bitter Sweet & Twisted

Sharon Osbourne was appointed as manager and the Quireboys were signed to EMI for the release of their debut album, A Bit of What You Fancy.[3] By 1990, the Quireboys had fired Ginger (who went on to form the Wildhearts), who they replaced with former Cradle Snatchers / Feline Groove guitarist Guy Griffin.[3] For the debut album, Cozy was substituted by Ian Wallace who played with Bob Dylan.[6]

The debut album was produced by Jim Cregan and George Tutko at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California.[3] Ron Nevison mixed the album. The band entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 2.[3] A Bit of What You Fancy drew positive reviews and was compared favourably to British rock names such as Rod Stewart and Faces.[3]

The long touring schedule was finished off with a gig in Japan at the Tokyo Dome on New Year's Eve in front of 50,000 people. A live album was released following this long touring, entitled Live (Recorded Around the World).[3]

The band began working on their second album in October 1991 with producer Bob Rock. The project saw numerous delays due to Rock's other engagements, and personnel changes at EMI. In the spring of 1992, Chris Kimsey was brought in to re-work some of the tracks.[7] Bitter Sweet & Twisted was finally released in March 1993 and peaked at no. 31 on the UK Albums Chart.

Following the release of Bitter Sweet & Twisted, the Quireboys disbanded for eight years. Griffin attributed the breakup to "business stuff" and the emergence of grunge music. Following a run of successful live shows in Los Angeles, they decided to revive the band in 2001 with a new lineup.[8]

1994–2000: Solo projects

In the interim, the Quireboys members embarked on their own recording projects. In 1995, Spike formed a duo with Darrell Bath of The Dogs D'Amour. Their album, Take Out Some Insurance, was released under the moniker Spike n' Darrell. In the following year, Spike formed the duo Hot Knives with Tyla, and together they released Flagrantly Yours. Spike's debut solo album, Blue Eyed Soul, was released in 1997. In the same year, Spike released one album as part of the band God's Hotel.

2001–2021: Reformation and subsequent albums

The Quireboys' reformation began with the release of their third studio album, This Is Rock'n'Roll, in July 2001. AllMusic described it as one of the band's "more consistent, focused and inspired efforts".[9]

The band's fourt studio album, Well Oiled, was released in 2004 through SPV.

The Quireboys at the Norway Rock Festival in 2008

On 12 May 2008, the Quireboys released their fifth album, Homewreckers & Heartbreakers, through Jerkin' Crocus. Talking about the inspiration for the new album, Paul Guerin said "It's a funny story. We were in Malmö, Sweden in the dressing room. It was just before the show and we'd had a few frothy quenchers. We were trying to come up with album titles, and everyone was laughing at the suggestions. A certain member of the band was regaling a story about something he'd done, and another member of the band said "you're just a home wrecker," and someone else said "yeah, and a heartbreaker". We were just having a laugh, and bang, there it was. It was as simple as that."[10]

In March 2013, the Quireboys played aboard the Monsters of Rock Cruise, along with bands such as Cinderella, Tesla, Kix, and Queensrÿche.[11][12] The band released a new single "Too Much of a Good Thing" on 15 May 2013, taken from their seventh studio album, Beautiful Curse, which was released a month later in June 2013.[13]

The band's twelfth studio album, Amazing Disgrace, was released on 5 April 2019. Classic Rock referred to the album as "energetic and dynamic", and "the best Quireboys album for ages".[14] The album was preceded by its lead single, "Seven Deadly Sins". The band supported the album with a tour of the UK and Spain between March and May 2019.[15] The album was originally crowdfunded through PledgeMusic, but the band were affected by PledgeMusic's payment issues scandal. Off Yer Rocka Recordings stepped in to fund the album.[16]

In late 2021 they supported the Dead Daisies on their UK Tour. The February 2022 Monsters of Rock Cruise included the Quireboys as a five-piece, with Griffin covering vocal duties, after "a last-minute nonappearance" from Spike.[17]

2022–present: Spike's departure and ongoing dispute

In March 2022, the Quireboys announced that they had released lead vocalist Spike from the band.[18] This sparked a mixed reaction from fans, leading two venues to cancel their upcoming Quireboys dates. However, the band continue to tour with Guy Griffin as lead vocalist.[19] In 2023, they completed tours of Germany and the UK, and performed at Hellfest in Clisson, France.[20]

Spike's departure sparked an ongoing dispute about legal ownership of the Quireboys name.[21] In May 2022, Spike announced that he was reuniting with original members Guy Bailey and Nigel Mogg to write and record new music using the Quireboys name.[22][23] He later announced an upcoming concert in London featuring ex-Quireboys members Chris Johnstone and Rudy Richman, due to take place in December 2022.[24] On 9 December 2022, they released a two-track single "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" in support of Care After Combat, a charity for British combat veterans.[25]

On 7 December 2022, the remaining band members released a live album recorded at O2 Forum Kentish Town in September 2022.[26] Their first album without Spike, titled The Band Rolls On..., was announced in July 2022, with a release date later confirmed for September 2023.[27][28] The lead single "Lie to Me" was released on 5 December 2022.[29] A second single, "Medicine", featuring Josh Todd and Stevie D. from Buckcherry, was released on 14 July 2023.[30] The band announced a British tour to mark the 10th anniversary of Beautiful Curse between April and September 2023, supported by Blackballed.

On 6 April 2023, guitarist Guy Bailey died.[31] In an announcement, Spike revealed that he and Bailey had written songs for a new Quireboys album featuring bandmates Chris Johnstone, Nigel Mogg and Rudy Richman.[32] The album, titled Wardour Street, will be released in the spring of 2024. The lead single, "Jeeze Louise", was released on 31 October 2023.[33]

It was announced in October 2023 that Spike and the remaining original members of The Quireboys will Headline the Friday Night Party at the Stonedead Festival in August 2024. In December 2023 a string of UK tour dates where also announced for May 2024. Guitarist Luke Morley from Thunder will play with them in place of Guy Bailey.

Personnel

Current members

Following an ongoing dispute about the band's name, there are currently two Quireboys lineups:

Former members

  • Guy Bailey - Guitar, mandolin, backing vocals (1984-1993, 1995, 2022-2023; died 6 April 2023)
  • Paul Hornby – Drums (died 2015)
  • Nick "Cozy" Connell – Drums
  • Ginger – Guitar (1987-1989)
  • Ian Wallace - Drums
  • Kevin Savigar – Keyboards
  • Martin Henderson – Drums (2001–2002)
  • Luke Bossendorfer – Guitar (2001–2003)
  • Bill Coyne – Drums (1984)
  • Tom Golzen – Guitar (1984)
  • Michael Lee – Drums (died 2008)
  • Tim Bewlay - Bass
  • Damon Williams – Bass
  • Jimmi Crutchley – Bass
  • Dave Boyce – Bass
  • Gary "Gaz" Ivin – Bass
  • Nick Mailing - Bass
  • Phil Martini – Drums
  • Matt Goom – Drums
  • Dave McCluskey – Drums
  • Share Ross – Bass (USA MOR Cruise)
  • Jason Bonham – Drums (UK MOR Arena Tour)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Year Details Peak chart position Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
[35]		 UK Indie
[36]		 SWE
[37]
1990 A Bit of What You Fancy 2 — 11
1993 Bitter Sweet & Twisted 31 — 25
2001 This Is Rock'n'Roll — — —
2004 Well Oiled
  • Released: 4 May 2004
  • Label: SPV
 — — —
2008 Homewreckers & Heartbreakers
  • Released: 23 June 2008
  • Label: Jerkin' Crocus
 — — —
2009 Halfpenny Dancer
  • Released: 31 March 2009
  • Label: Jerkin' Crocus
 — — —
2013 Beautiful Curse
  • Released: 24 June 2013
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 — 44 —
2014 Black Eyed Sons
  • Released: 16 June 2014
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 — 13 —
2015 St. Cecilia and the Gypsy Soul
  • Released: 30 March 2015
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 — — —
2016 Twisted Love
  • Released: 4 September 2016
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 — — —
2017 White Trash Blues
  • Released: 5 September 2017
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 — 34 —
2019 Amazing Disgrace
  • Released: 5 April 2019
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 — — —
2021 A Bit of What You Fancy (30th Anniversary Edition)
  • Released: 23 July 2021
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 — 12 —
2024 The Band Rolls On...
  • Released: 2024
  • Label: Off Yer Rocka
 To be released
Wardour Street
  • Released: 2024
 To be released
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

  • Live (Recorded Around the World) (EMI – 1990)
  • Lost in Space (Snapper – 2000)
  • 100% Live (Demolition – 2002)
  • Quireboys Live (EMI – 2006) (Reissue of 1990 live album)
  • Live in Glasgow (Jerkin Crocus – 2011)
  • 35 & Live (Off yer Rocker – 2020)
  • Orchestral Quireboys (Off yer Rocker - 2022)

Compilation albums

  • From Tooting to Barking (Griffin – 1994)
  • Rock Champions (EMI – 2001)
  • Masters of Rock – The Quireboys (EMI – 2002)
  • Best of the Quireboys (EMI – 2008)

Singles

Year Single Chart positions
CAN US US Main UK
1988 "Mayfair" – – – 95
"There She Goes Again" – – – 87
1989 "7 O'Clock" 41[39] – – 36
"Hey You" 82[40] – – 14
1990 "I Don't Love You Anymore" 71[41] 76 – 24
"There She Goes Again" / "Misled" – – – 37
1992 "Tramps and Thieves" – – – 41
1993 "Brother Louie" 68[42] – – 31
"Last Time" – – – –
2005 "Tears in Heaven" – – – 88
2008 "Blyth Spartans" – – – –
2012 "Biking for Bobby" – – – –
2013 "Too Much of a Good Thing" – – – –
"Diamonds and Dirty Stones" – – – –
2015 "Gracie B" – – – –

Videography

  • A Bit of What You Fancy (1990)
  • Bitter, Sweet & Live (Live at The Town & Country Club, London) (1993)
  • One More for the Road (Live at The Mean Fiddler, London) (2006)
  • 35 & Live (Live at O2 The Forum, London) (2020)
  • Orchestral Quireboys (Live at O2 The Forum, London) (2022)

References

  1. ↑ Archived 11 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ "Quireboys". Dabelly.com. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 359/360. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  4. ↑ "22 October 1986 The Queerboys". The Marquee Club. 22 October 1986. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Nuzz Prowling Wolf: The Queerboys/Pretty Girls And The Babysitters – Live: Sometime, Somewhere". Nuzzprowlinwolf.blogspot.co.uk. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Let It Rock – Ian Wallace interview". Dmme.net. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  7. ↑ Pilon, Bernard (25 May 1993). "New beginnings". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: Postmedia Network. p. 34. Retrieved 13 February 2023 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
  8. ↑ Sterdan, Darryl (7 September 2001). "London recalling". Winnipeg Sun. Winnipeg, Canada: Postmedia Network. p. 26. Retrieved 13 February 2023 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
  9. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Quireboys – This Is Rock 'N' Roll Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  10. ↑ Archived 20 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ "Monsters of Rock Cruise". Retrieved 23 December 2012 – via Facebook.
  12. ↑ Axeman, Andrew (9 April 2013). "Monsters Of Rock Cruise 2013 – Hair Metal Mansion's Exclusive Report & Photos". Hair Metal Mansion. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Blabbermouth.net interview with MULATSCHAG". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  14. ↑ Dome, Malcolm (19 April 2019). "The Quireboys: Amazing Disgrace album review". Classic Rock. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "Quireboys drop new video from upcoming album "Amazing Disgrace"". moshville.co.ukdate=19 April 2019. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "The Quireboys Statement Regarding PledgeMusic Campaign". Facebook. 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "THE QUIREBOYS Explain Decision to Split with Singer SPIKE". 5 April 2022.
  18. ↑ Colothan, Scott (29 March 2022). "The Quireboys part ways with singer Spike". Planet Rock. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  19. ↑ Colothan, Scott (1 April 2022). "Two music venues cancel Quireboys concerts following Spike's departure". Planet Rock. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  20. ↑ Childers, Chad (15 December 2022). "Hellfest Announces 179 Bands for 2023 Lineup – Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Motley Crue + More". Loudwire. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  21. ↑ Colothan, Scott (6 April 2022). "Spike hits back at The Quireboys' statement and vows to continue band name". Planet Rock. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  22. ↑ "Spike reunites with The Quireboys co-founder Guy Bailey and they start new album". Planet Rock. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  23. ↑ Colothan, Scott. "The Quireboys - Original Members Spike, Guy Bailey and Nigel Mogg Reunite". Brave Words. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  24. ↑ Colothan, Scott (6 September 2022). "Spike's Quireboys announce December 2022 concert". Planet Rock. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  25. ↑ "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - Single". Apple Music (US). 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  26. ↑ "Orchestral Quireboys Live". Apple Music (US). 7 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  27. ↑ "The Quireboys Explain Decision to Split with Singer Spike". Blabbermouth. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "The Quireboys On Their Todd". maximumvolumemusic.com. 15 July 2023. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Lie to Me - Single". Apple Music (US). 5 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  30. ↑ "The Quireboys Release "Medicine" Single Feat. Buckcherry's Josh Todd and Stevie D; Music Video Streaming". Brave Words. 14 July 2023. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  31. ↑ "Original THE QUIREBOYS Guitarist GUY BAILEY Dies". Blabbermouth.net. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  32. ↑ SpikeQuireboys (7 April 2023). "I'm heartbroken to have to write this..." – via Facebook.
  33. ↑ "Spike to Release New Quireboys Single "Jeeze Louise" on Halloween". Brave Words. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  34. ↑ https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/quireboys-wardour-street/
  35. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 446. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  36. ↑ Peak chart positions for albums on the UK Independent Albums Chart:
  37. ↑ "Discography The Quireboys". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  38. ↑ "British album certifications – Quireboys – A Bit of What You Fancy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  39. ↑ "RPM 100 Singles" (PDF). Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 21 July 1990. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  40. ↑ "RPM 100 Singles" (PDF). Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 20 October 1990. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  41. ↑ "RPM 100 Singles" (PDF). Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 19 January 1991. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  42. ↑ "RPM Weekly" (PDF). Rpm.images.3345.ca. 3 April 1993. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
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