The Quireboys

Photograph by Mark Flowers ©

The heavy rock group, The Quireboys were formed by singer Spike Gray and guitarist Guy Bailey around 1984 in London as the Queerboys. The group has experienced several splits and reformations. Members have included drummers Ian Wallace, Guy Hansen, Martin Henderson, Paul Hornby, and Rudy Richman; guitarists Darrel Bath, Ginger, Luke Bossendorfer, and Guy Griffin; bassists Nigel Mogg (nephew of Phil Mogg from UFO) and Tim Bewlay; and keyboardists Chris Johnstone and Simon Rinaldo.  

After gaining some local popularity, they changed the spelling of their name and released their first single, “Mayfair” on the Survival Records Label.  

Their first album, A Bit of What You Fancy was released in 1990 on the EMI label and reached no.2 in the UK. Singles released from the album included “Hey You,” which reached no.14, “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” no.26, and “There She Goes Again/ Misled,” no.37. 

After extensive tours in the UK and abroad, the Live Album was quickly put together. However, the recording was not particularly good and several flaws made it disappointing. 

Their third album, Bitter, Sweet and Twisted was released in 1993, reaching no.31 in the UK, with a single “Brother Louie,” also reaching no.31. The group by then had passed its peak and decided to disband. However, two albums were subsequently released, From Tooting to Barking containing early demo material, and a double CD containing the tracks from A Bit of What You Fancy and Bitter Sweet & Twisted, as well as a number of extra tracks. 

The Quireboys have reformed and disbanded several times with new members since the 1990s. Many members have formed part of other bands, like God's Hotel, Dogs d'Amour, Blood From a Stone, and The Nancy Boys.  

In 2000, the newest line up of the group released another album, Lost in Space. It carries some 20 tracks. In the summer of 2001, This Is Rock N' Roll was finished.  

Some of the songs the Quireboys have recorded over the years are "Pleasure & Pain," "Brother Louie," "Can't Get Through," "I Don't Love You Anymore," "Tramps & Thieves," "Hey You," "Long Time Comin'," "There She Goes Again," and "Sex Party."

Discography

A Bit of What You Fancy (1990)

Live Album (1991)

Bitter, Sweet & Twisted (1993)

From Tooting to Barking (2000)

Lost in Space (2000)

This is Rock N’ Roll (2001)