Simon RushworthQuireboys — Spike’s version— are gearing up for a headline slot at Call Of The Wild Festival this week. Rushonrock editor Simon Rushworth caught the revamped line-up keeping rock and roll alive across the band’s four-date UK headline run. Here are five things he learned:
1. Spike is a singer reborn
It’s safe to say Spike wasn’t enjoying life — on or off stage — towards the end of his tenure with The Quireboys. Maybe we didn’t realise it at the time but we do now: the difference between Spike 2022 and Spike 2024 is like night and day. Relaxed, refreshed and back to his riotous best, it seems like the genial Geordie has put two years of off-stage recriminations to the back of his mind and poured his heart and soul into a new album and a familiar line-up. Focusing on the future, rather than dwelling on the past, is surely the best way forward, for now.
2. Getting the old gang back together was a smart move
Although this retro-fuelled line-up of Quireboys was meant to feature the late, great Guy Bailey, it’s still good fun to see Nigel Mogg and Rudy Richman back in the fold. Both veteran rock and rollers are synonymous with the band’s chart-busting heyday and with original keysman Chris Johnstone (absent from this four-date trek) still to come, it’s little wonder Spike’s boasting a smile as wide as the Tyne. There’s something to be said for going back to the future.
3. Luke Morley’s a thunderous addition to new-look Quireboys
Kicking his heels until best buddy Danny Bowes is back to full fitness, Luke Morley is the right man, in the right place at the right time for Spike’s Quireboys. Friends forever — and briefly reunited on stage in Newcastle at Wylam Brewery on the Andy Taylor undercard in 2021 — this duo was always destined to make sweet rock and roll together. Morley might have to get used to being the subject of Spike’s outrageous stories (one tale featuring the Londoner and a kebab on Tyneside brought the house down in the Toon) but he’s already got the big hits nailed. Spike’s always been blessed by good fortune but he’s lucked out with Luke.
4. Quireboys fans can’t wait for Wardour Street
Jeeze Louise and new single Raining Whiskey have already teased fans eagerly anticipating the September drop of new Quireboys album Wardour Street. Both tunes — and a few more — featured in the band’s live set and nestled comfortably alongside a slew of old favourites. Spike promised to get back to the band’s trademark sound on this year’s ‘comeback album’ and believes one guitar’s better than two when trying to recreate the early magic underpinning his blossoming mid 80s relationship with Bailey. Only time will tell but given the raucous reaction to Wardour Street’s select cuts it seems the frontman’s fans are already singing from the same hymn sheet.
5. Deep cuts do justice to a diamond-studded rock and roll legacy
It seems Spike doesn’t much like the meandering King Of New York but it was one of his late father’s absolute favourites. On this evidence it’s easy to hear why. That beautiful ballad and the equally evocative Sweet Mary Ann and Roses & Rings were the highlights here for Quireboys devotees of a certain vintage. Of course, the much-missed Mayfair should always have a place in the band’s set — in Newcastle it encouraged sheer mayhem — and that early single stands the test of time as a true tribute to clubbing in the Toon. Hey You picked up the mid-set pace and we’ll never get tired of hearing 7 O’Clock. With a new line-up and new music, Spike’s back in the mood to party.
Images by Adam Kennedy