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Song

Drink Is The Ruination Of Man

Artist

Spike And The Geordie Rogues

Spike And The Geordie Rogues backstory

Legendary Quireboys crooner Spike’s always had a soft spot for the local bangers that soundtracked his youth in the pubs and working men’s clubs of North East England.

And over the years he’s often succumbed to his mam’s pleas to play more of the Geordie folk songs that inspired the likes of Lindisfarne et al.

Lockdown, of course, provided a golden opportunity to strip things back and dig out the history books.

Spike would occasionally pop up (technology allowing) with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and a grainy feed for company to cheer his fans during the darkest days of the pandemic.

And those impromptu jams from his sister’s back room ultimately served as the inspiration for a brand new project featuring County Durham’s very own Pete Shoulder (Winterville, The Union, One More Satellite).

Spike hinted at what was to come during a folked-up Quireboys show in Hexham last September with Shoulder and fiddler Cerys Jones stealing the show.

And now The Geordie Rogues are set to drop their debut album and perform a couple of intimate shows (rumoured to feature comedy, bingo and a meat draw for good measure) later this year.

Drink Is The Ruination Of Man provides a first , glorious taste of what’s to come…

In Spike’s own words

“After the very sad passing of Terry Reid this month, I thought we all needed some cheering up. So I’m releasing this earlier than expected. 

“Welcome to the debut single from Spike And The Geordie Rogues. Terry loved it so I hope you all do too. 

“We’re playing our first shows for my mam’s birthday weekend at Coxlodge & Gosforth District Social Club Gosforth on Friday October 3 and Saturday October 4 at Haydon Bridge Social Club. 

“… plus Newcastle has their first home league game of the season tonight so Howay The Lads!”

The verdict on Drink Is The Ruination Of Man

The irony of this deliciously dark song title isn’t lost on Spike as he sashays through the world famous Strawberry pub in the shadow of his beloved St James’s Park.

The Quireboys’ colourful frontman has always been partial to the odd glass of cider but he’ll never say no to a bottle of the old Brown Ale.

Just like his father before him.

And there’s a serious message behind this raucous tune as Spike reflects on his family’s longstanding relationship with the demon booze.

But not that serious. Obviously.

In fact, the video opens up with a Spike-branded ‘69’ Magpies shirt and where else do you get a line referencing ‘knickers right up yer crack’? Think Steel Panther with a Gregg’s pasty.

Shoulder rocks the banjo. And Spike rocks his bandana off — honestly. The singer swaps his trademark headwear for an on-point flat cap to complete the switch from bar room Hollywood sleaze to working class folk rock.

Drink Is The Ruination Of Man quenches the thirst for what’s to come. 

Let’s all raise a glass to the Geordie Rogues!

What’s next for Spike And The Geordie Rogues

The band makes its live debut at the Coxlodge and Gosforth District Social Club on October 3.

Spike And The Geordie Rogues head west to Haydon Bridge Social Club the following night.

The self-titled debut album is due for release later this year.