Spider (rock band)
Encyclopedia
Spider were a British
NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band from Liverpool
that formed in 1976.
The band, who were often compared to Status Quo, offered an upbeat sound, which was described as Boogie Rock
.
Spider released three albums in the 10 years they were together, titled Rock ‘n’ Roll Gypsies in honour of Brians love for the travelling community(1982) Rough Justice (1984) and Raise the Banner (For Rock 'n' Roll) (1986)
The band split in 1986.
Colin Harkness - Vocals, Guitar
Brian Burrows - Bass, Vocals
Rob E Burrows - Drums
, including 2 brothers, none of whom had played in bands before.
After releasing 'Children Of The Street' on the Alien Record Label, Spider were playing, on average 20 dates a month, which included a support slot on the Uriah Heep 1980 Winter Tour.
1982 proved to be the bands most lucrative year. It began in late 1981 when the band were contracted to record for the Radio 1’s Friday Rock Show. The producer, Tony Wilson, introduced them to Maggi Farren.
Maggi set up a recording deal with Creole Records as well as getting the band a support slot on the 1981 Slade
Winter Tour.
Spider released the single Talkin’ ‘bout Rock ‘n’ Roll with Creole, which featured as part of Radio 1’s play list. They then went into the studio to begin recording their first Album 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Gypsies', to be released on the Creole label also. However RCA
who had made a late bid for the band, and after negotiations, Spider signed a 6 year recording contract with the record label.
1982 continued with Spider packing out the Marquee Club
once a month. They played at The Reading Festival on Sunday 29 August 1982, as well as securing a support slot on the mammoth Gillan
Tour. As well as the release of their first album.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
that formed in 1976.
The band, who were often compared to Status Quo, offered an upbeat sound, which was described as Boogie Rock
Boogie rock
Boogie rock is a music genre which came out of the hard heavy blues rock of the late 1960s. It tends to feature a repetitive driving rhythm in place of instrumental experimentation found in the more progressive blues-rock bands of the period.-Definitions:...
.
Spider released three albums in the 10 years they were together, titled Rock ‘n’ Roll Gypsies in honour of Brians love for the travelling community(1982) Rough Justice (1984) and Raise the Banner (For Rock 'n' Roll) (1986)
The band split in 1986.
Band members
Dave Bryce (Sniffa) - Guitar, VocalsColin Harkness - Vocals, Guitar
Brian Burrows - Bass, Vocals
Rob E Burrows - Drums
The Story...
Spider formed in 1976, consisted of 4 young men from LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, including 2 brothers, none of whom had played in bands before.
After releasing 'Children Of The Street' on the Alien Record Label, Spider were playing, on average 20 dates a month, which included a support slot on the Uriah Heep 1980 Winter Tour.
1982 proved to be the bands most lucrative year. It began in late 1981 when the band were contracted to record for the Radio 1’s Friday Rock Show. The producer, Tony Wilson, introduced them to Maggi Farren.
Maggi set up a recording deal with Creole Records as well as getting the band a support slot on the 1981 Slade
Slade
Slade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
Winter Tour.
Spider released the single Talkin’ ‘bout Rock ‘n’ Roll with Creole, which featured as part of Radio 1’s play list. They then went into the studio to begin recording their first Album 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Gypsies', to be released on the Creole label also. However RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
who had made a late bid for the band, and after negotiations, Spider signed a 6 year recording contract with the record label.
1982 continued with Spider packing out the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
once a month. They played at The Reading Festival on Sunday 29 August 1982, as well as securing a support slot on the mammoth Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
Tour. As well as the release of their first album.
Albums
| Album Name | Date of Release |
|---|---|
| Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies | 1982 |
| Rough Justice | 1984 |
| Raise the Banner (For Rock 'n' Roll) | 1986 |
Singles
| Title | Date of Release |
|---|---|
| Back to the Wall | 1977 |
| Children of the Street | 1980 |
| College Luv | 1980 |
| All the Time | 1981 |
| Talkin' 'Bout Rock 'n' Roll | 1982 |
| Rock 'n' Roll Forever Will Last | 1982 |
| Why D'Ya Lie to Me | 1983 |
| Here we go Rock 'n' Roll | 1984 |
| Breakaway | 1984 |
| Gimme Gimme it all | 1986 |
External links
- The Spider Archive http://spiderarchive.multiply.com/
- Classic Rock Magazine - Cult Heroes no. 32 http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/cult-heroes-no-32-spider/