15/12/2022 The Quireboys @ Islington Academy

It's been an interesting year for The Quireboys - in fact, it's been so interesting that we now have two bands called 'The Quireboys'. In a shock move early in the year the band announced that they had fired their charismatic singer Spike! They then announced their intention to carry on - with no original members left, and guitarist Guy Griffin taking over vocal duties. When they booked a big show at The Forum in Kentish Town it was not only without Spike, but also  announced as 'Quireboys Orchestral' - in other words the band playing with an orchestra. This wasn't my idea of rock 'n' roll so I decided to vote with my feet. Apparently a lot of other people thought the same as the gig was not well attended - in spite of a lot of tickets being virtually given away in a desperate attempt to boost audience figures. According to phone video footage the show was noticeably lacking in atmosphere as well as crowd numbers....

Spike responded to his sacking by announcing that he was going to put his own 'Quireboys' together - including several former members - three of whom played on the band's classic debut album 'A Bit Of What You Fancy'. That album is widely considered to be their best, so Spike now appeared to be holding all the aces. Not only did he put together a whole new band consisting of actual ex-recording and touring members of the Quireboys, but he also announced they will be recording a new album and work has already started on writing the songs with original guitarist Guy Bailey. This news has been very enthusiastically received by the fans!

The other 'Quireboys' are still a good band I'm sure, but the Quireboys without Spike is like Motörhead without Lemmy or the Wildhearts without Ginger (another ex-Quireboy) or Whitesnake without David Coverdale. I'm sure most people buy Quireboys tickets because they want to see Spike do his thing - I know I do.

So, the venue is full - there are obviously a lot more people here than at the other 'Quireboys' gig in Kentish Town a few months ago. It seems nearly everyone is here. There is much anticipation from the crowd and the atmosphere is electric, but what will the night hold? It turns out things aren't quite as expected...

The fans are looking forward to seeing the return of original Quireboy Guy Bailey, but when the band take to the stage he is nowhere to be seen... This is ominous as Guy's health has not been great for a while. Spike is joined on stage by original Quireboy's bassist Nigel Mogg - who appeared on the band's first three albums. Also in Spike's new/old version of the Quireboys are original keyboard player Chris Johnstone and Rudy Richman on drums. However - neither of the guitarists on stage have ever played with the Quireboys before - although they will be familiar to some people...

Yes - that's Chris McCormack - Danny Wildheart's brother and ex-3 Colours Red guitarist. These days a music promoter and the man behind Camden Rocks Festival. He seemed to have retired as a musician a few years ago, so seeing him pop up tonight was certainly a surprise! On the other hand the Quireboys are known for originally being a Geordie band, and Chris is from that area so there is a certain serendipity here... It seems that he was actually as surprised as I was at being drafted in at the last minute. It was hoped that Guy Bailey would be playing in the band tonight, but it appears his health sadly wasn't up to it. 😟 The other guitarist in the band tonight is Alan MP from original Quireboys bassist Nigel Mogg's LA based band Juvenile Wrecks - also drafted in late in the day and having to learn the set from scratch in very little time!

However, with four actual Quireboys from the band's first couple of albums on stage together the sound isn't much different to how it was in those early days.

The setlist wasn't much (if any) different to how it was back when the band had only released two albums either, but to be honest it's the songs from the band's classic debut album A Bit Of What You Fancy that the fans want to hear the most. Most people would agree that it's their best collection of songs, although it's follow up Bitter Sweet & Twisted is good too. Tonight's set consists virtually entirely of songs from the band's first two albums, with the addition of the ever popular debut single 'Mayfair'.

Although original Quireboys guitarist and songwriter Guy Bailey isn't well enough to perform with the band tonight he is actually present. He has often popped up as a guest guitarist at shows since leaving the band - with Spike saying Guy "will always be a Quireboy". Tonight he is just brought onto the stage to make an appearance but not play - he has always remained a popular figure and is very warmly received by the crowd tonight. He doesn't look well to be honest, but then I don't think he ever did...

The pace does slacken a bit on occasion when the band are joined by a female vocalist who duets with Spike as well as providing backing vocals on some songs - no one seems to know who she is, and although I think Spike introduced her at some point I can't remember her name.

As ever with the Quireboys - it's party time! A bagpiper is brought on stage towards the end of the set - maybe because it's nearly Christmas? 

Islington Academy is pretty full tonight - I would think it's sold out. The venue is full of familiar faces and the atmosphere is terrific! Spike's new Quireboys definitely give the crowd what they want and apart from not getting to see Guy Bailey perform I doubt anyone goes home disappointed. A brand new single 'Jeez Louise' is set to be released in the New Year, and a new album is set to follow later in the year. According to Spike it will be a proper 'rock 'n' roll Quireboys album' with "no chords with numbers in!" and all the songs have already been written with Guy Bailey.  It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Spike and the boys...