In 1990, The Quireboys released their debut album A Bit of What You Fancy. An album that brought British rock and roll to the attention of virtually every country in the world. This was no overnight success though, as the band had worked tirelessly, touring every club and venue up and down the country, paying their dues, and learning their craft. Their hard work finally paid off.
The debut album made them the second biggest selling band of the year on EMI/Parlophone, and with one of the world’s biggest managers, Sharon Osborne, together with Rod McSween at ITB agency, The Quireboys toured the globe, not only playing their own sold out shows, but also as special guests on stadium tours to artists such as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi, to name a few, the list could go on endlessly, just as the band have continued endlessly themselves.
At the start of every show, even since the beginning, you’ll hear Spike proclaim: “We’re The Quireboys and this rock and roll!” Everyone knows this is the invitation to get the party started, have a great evening of music, and to clap your hands and stamp your feet. Songs that make you laugh, make you cry, and all emotions in between. Old friends will be there, new ones are made, plus, as is now legendary, you’ll be able to meet the band at the bar. All the emotions of a Quireboys show are to be found on the new album Wardour Street, due for release 13th September via Cadiz Music. There are songs that will make you want to rock and roll, there are also songs from the heart, to make you laugh, love, and cry, which is fitting, as the album is dedicated to the band’s co-founder, and best friend, the legend that was Guy Bailey, rock and roll personified!
So, who did Spike ask to step in on guitar for the new album and shows this year? Only a legend could grace the position of another legend, who else could they turn to, other than their great friend Luke Morley? Not only has he kindly agreed to help out while Thunder are on hiatus, he has also produced the new album.
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On May 24th the Quireboys will release a new single from the album titled “Raining Whiskey” that features the vocals of Scottish singer and songwriting legend Frankie Miller.
On the new single, Spike says:
Let’s cut to the chase, Frankie Miller is the singer’s singer, and the songwriter’s songwriter. Just ask Sir Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Elton John, Joe Walsh, the list is endless, even Ray Charles had a hit with one of his songs. I first met Frankie at the Brit awards in 1993, the year The Faces performed with Bill Wyman on bass. It was both an honour, and a shock when Frankie came up to me and congratulated me on the Quireboys’ success, and as we got talking, we hit it off straight away.
In 2014 Spike released the album 100% Pure Frankie Miller, a collection of Frankie’s songs reimagined by Spike and mutual friends Luke Morley, Simon Kirke, Ian Hunter, Andy Fraser, Bonnie Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Mark Stanway, Tyla Pallas etc.
Spike continues:
There were enough songs to last a lifetime and I put my heart and soul in to listening to them all. It was an incredible journey into how he wrote songs, and how a chorus could become a verse, then that chorus become a bridge into another melody under the same chords. How not to over sing, when to over sing, but most of all write from your heart, from the first person, but also how to write in the third person. So hard to explain.
And now, years later, going through the new songs I’d written for the new Quireboys album, Wardour Street, with Luke Morley, he asked whatever happened to the song “Raining Whiskey”. I told him I’d never released it, and the recording was still sitting in Rockfield Studios. We got the tapes from our very good friend Nick Brine, who’s mixed the new album, and we’ve rerecorded it, in a rock and roll style we believe Quireboys fans will love. Obviously the first person to hear the new version of “Raining Whiskey” was Frankie Miller, he loves it, and urged us to release it as a single. So, it is my honour to present the new single by the Quireboys, featuring Frankie Miller.
The flipside of the single features “Jeeze Louise”, released earlier this year and showcasing Quireboys at their bar room brawling, rock and roll best, displaying to the world exactly how it should be done and what to expect from their forthcoming album.
Spike concludes:
This album has been both heartbreaking and amazing to make. I know Guy Bailey will be proud of the record, especially, having Luke Morley playing guitar, and for me to be singing with his favourite vocalist, Frankie Miller. This is for you; I love you, Guy.
Pre-orders for Wardour Street are available here.
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Catch the Quireboys live at the following dates:
May:
- 9 Sheffield, Corporation
- 10 Newcastle, Riverside
- 11 Wolverhampton, KKs Steel Mill
- 12 Swansea, Patti Pavilion
- 24 Call Of The Wild, Festival
- 26 Greenwich London, Triangle Café
August:
- 23 Stonedead Festival
November
- 28 Winterstorm Festival
