Spike (musician)
Encyclopedia
Spike sometimes also known as Spike Gray, is an English
rock
frontman, songwriter and vocalist most famous for his times with The Quireboys
with whom he has released four studio albums to date.
, but at age 17, he moved down to London
where, eventually, he would form the band The Quireboys
with Guy Bailey in 1984. After various tours and singles, Spike with the Quireboys released their debut album "A Bit of What You Fancy
", which went to #2 on the UK Albums Chart
. The band gained significant success, but their second album "Bitter Sweet & Twisted
" did not quite have the impact of the first.
After the Quireboys split up in 1993, he played in Los Angeles
with a band called God's Hotel. He also sang lead vocals on a cover of Hank Williams's country classic, "Hey Good Lookin'
" with C.C. DeVille from Poison
for the soundtrack of the Pauly Shore
movie Son in Law
. Spike decided to record in other projects; the first was in 1994 with Darrell Bath of the Dogs D'Amour
. The recording, called "Take Out Some Insurance", was an album of covers, featuring songs from old blues artists, and was released under the name Spike an' Darrell.
Soon after, Spike moved back to Newcastle
and, in 1996, he recorded with another members of the Dogs D'Amour — this time it was frontman Tyla, with whom he recorded an album entitled "Flagrantly Yours", under the name Spike and Tyla's Hot Knives. In 1998, Spike recorded his first solo album "Blue Eyed Soul".
The Quireboys reformed in 2001 with a new line-up and have released three new albums since that time. Spike's second solo studio album, "It's a Treat to Be Alive", was released in 2005, followed by "So Called Friends" in 2008.
Spike was involved in a fracas with guitarist Michael Schenker
in November 2000. This happened after a UFO
show at Newcastle City Hall. Schenker later admitted he caused the brawl, and refused to blame Spike. The Quireboys have since played on the same bill as MSG
, Schenker's group.
In 2007, Spike became part of Damage Control, a British supergroup formed by guitarist Robin George and UFO bassist Pete Way
, along with former AC/DC
drummer Chris Slade
. They released a self-titled album on Cargo records which was generally well-received.
Over the years, Spike has also provided vocals for a number of songs on various US rock tribute albums, specifically: 'Don't Cry' on the tribute album to Guns N' Roses
called 'Uncivil War', a cover of the Styx
song 'Lady' on 'A Tribute To Styx', 'Need You Bad' on 'The World's Greatest Tribute To Ted Nugent
', and the Bon Jovi
ballad 'Living in Sin' on a tribute album called 'Covered Dead Or Alive'. Perhaps most bizarrely, Spike also collaborated with the US electronica artist David Madden (also sometimes known as DJ Webern and Nonnon) on a version of the song 'Rock Forever
' for 'An Industrial Tribute to Judas Priest
'.
Spike is known to have contributed backing vocals on the following recordings: the 'Gang Bang' EP by the Gangbang Band (also featuring members of Hanoi Rocks
and The Babysitters, in a 1987 live session), the 'Company Of Wolves
' album by the band of the same name (1990), 'Night of the Cadillacs' on the 'Cuts' EP by L.A. Guns
(1992), the 'Rock & A Hard Place' album by Handsome Beasts (2007), and the 'Cookin' ' EP by The Diamond Dogs
(2009).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
frontman, songwriter and vocalist most famous for his times with The Quireboys
The Quireboys
The Quireboys are an English hard rock band formed in 1984 in London, England, with strong ties to Newcastle. When the band formed they were originally known as The Queerboys and later as the London Quireboys in the United States....
with whom he has released four studio albums to date.
Biography
Gray grew up in Northern EnglandNorthern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
, but at age 17, he moved down to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where, eventually, he would form the band The Quireboys
The Quireboys
The Quireboys are an English hard rock band formed in 1984 in London, England, with strong ties to Newcastle. When the band formed they were originally known as The Queerboys and later as the London Quireboys in the United States....
with Guy Bailey in 1984. After various tours and singles, Spike with the Quireboys released their debut album "A Bit of What You Fancy
A Bit of What You Fancy
A Bit of What You Fancy is rock band The Quireboys's debut studio album, released in 1990. The album was released on EMI and went into the UK Albums Chart at #2....
", which went to #2 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. The band gained significant success, but their second album "Bitter Sweet & Twisted
Bitter Sweet & Twisted
Bitter Sweet & Twisted is rock band The Quireboys's second studio album, released in 1993. The album was released on EMI and went into the UK Albums Chart at #31....
" did not quite have the impact of the first.
After the Quireboys split up in 1993, he played in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
with a band called God's Hotel. He also sang lead vocals on a cover of Hank Williams's country classic, "Hey Good Lookin'
Hey Good Lookin' (song)
"Hey Good Lookin" is a 1951 song written and recorded by Hank Williams, and his version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. Since its original 1951 recording it has been covered by a variety of artists.-Chart performance:...
" with C.C. DeVille from Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
for the soundtrack of the Pauly Shore
Pauly Shore
Paul Montgomery "Pauly" Shore is an American comedian and actor who starred in several comedy films in the 1990s and hosted a video show on MTV in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
movie Son in Law
Son in Law
Son in Law is a 1993 comedy film starring Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino, Lane Smith, Cindy Pickett, Tiffani Thiessen, Patrick Renna, Dan Gauthier and Dennis Burkley.-Plot:...
. Spike decided to record in other projects; the first was in 1994 with Darrell Bath of the Dogs D'Amour
Dogs D'Amour
The Dogs D'Amour were a rock and roll band formed in 1983 in London, England. Over the years the band has had various line-ups, the only constant being vocalist Tyla....
. The recording, called "Take Out Some Insurance", was an album of covers, featuring songs from old blues artists, and was released under the name Spike an' Darrell.
Soon after, Spike moved back to Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and, in 1996, he recorded with another members of the Dogs D'Amour — this time it was frontman Tyla, with whom he recorded an album entitled "Flagrantly Yours", under the name Spike and Tyla's Hot Knives. In 1998, Spike recorded his first solo album "Blue Eyed Soul".
The Quireboys reformed in 2001 with a new line-up and have released three new albums since that time. Spike's second solo studio album, "It's a Treat to Be Alive", was released in 2005, followed by "So Called Friends" in 2008.
Spike was involved in a fracas with guitarist Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, best known for his tenure in UFO, in addition to his solo band. He first rose to fame as a founding member of the Scorpions, then achieved fame in the mid 1970s as the lead guitar player for UFO. Since leaving UFO in 1978, he has been leading the...
in November 2000. This happened after a UFO
UFO (band)
UFO are an English heavy metal and hard rock band, who were formed in 1969. UFO became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
show at Newcastle City Hall. Schenker later admitted he caused the brawl, and refused to blame Spike. The Quireboys have since played on the same bill as MSG
Michael Schenker Group
The Michael Schenker Group is a guitar-oriented hard rock band formed in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1992. After that, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.The...
, Schenker's group.
In 2007, Spike became part of Damage Control, a British supergroup formed by guitarist Robin George and UFO bassist Pete Way
Pete Way
Peter 'Pete' Frederick Way is a bass player.He is the bassist of UFO, Waysted and formerly, Fastway and Ozzy Osbourne....
, along with former AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
drummer Chris Slade
Chris Slade
Chris Slade is a Welsh rock drummer.-Career:Slade has worked with Gary Numan, Tom Jones, Olivia Newton-John , and Uriah Heep. He was a member of Manfred Mann's Earth Band from 1972 to 1978...
. They released a self-titled album on Cargo records which was generally well-received.
Over the years, Spike has also provided vocals for a number of songs on various US rock tribute albums, specifically: 'Don't Cry' on the tribute album to Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
called 'Uncivil War', a cover of the Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
song 'Lady' on 'A Tribute To Styx', 'Need You Bad' on 'The World's Greatest Tribute To Ted Nugent
Ted Nugent
Theodore Anthony "Ted" Nugent is an American guitarist, musician, singer, author, reserve police officer, and activist. From Detroit, Michigan, he originally gained fame as the lead guitarist of The Amboy Dukes, before embarking on a lengthy solo career...
', and the Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
ballad 'Living in Sin' on a tribute album called 'Covered Dead Or Alive'. Perhaps most bizarrely, Spike also collaborated with the US electronica artist David Madden (also sometimes known as DJ Webern and Nonnon) on a version of the song 'Rock Forever
Rock Forever
"Rock Forever" is a song by British heavy metal band Judas Priest, originally released on their 1978 album Killing Machine, and released as a single the next year.The song contains a dual guitar solo between guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton....
' for 'An Industrial Tribute to Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
'.
Spike is known to have contributed backing vocals on the following recordings: the 'Gang Bang' EP by the Gangbang Band (also featuring members of Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
and The Babysitters, in a 1987 live session), the 'Company Of Wolves
Steve Conte
Steve Conte is an American singer and rock musician and lead singer of the band The Contes, along with his brother John Conte, both formerly members of the band Crown Jewels. He is perhaps more popularly known for his collaborations with composer Yoko Kanno, as well as being former lead guitarist...
' album by the band of the same name (1990), 'Night of the Cadillacs' on the 'Cuts' EP by L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns is the name of a hard rock group formed in Los Angeles, California, of which two rival incarnations currently exist due to numerous line-up changes. The first incarnation of the group was formed, by Tracii Guns, in 1983 but disbanded in 1985 following its merger with fellow Los Angeles...
(1992), the 'Rock & A Hard Place' album by Handsome Beasts (2007), and the 'Cookin' ' EP by The Diamond Dogs
The Diamond Dogs
The Diamond Dogs is a Swedish rock band founded in Katrineholm during the early nineties by vocalist Sören 'Sulo' Karlsson and guitarist Anders 'Boba' Lindström.-History:...
(2009).
Discography
This discography documents the studio albums Spike has been a part of in various projects, throughout his musical career.The Quireboys
- A Bit of What You FancyA Bit of What You FancyA Bit of What You Fancy is rock band The Quireboys's debut studio album, released in 1990. The album was released on EMI and went into the UK Albums Chart at #2....
- (1990) UK #2 - Bitter Sweet & TwistedBitter Sweet & TwistedBitter Sweet & Twisted is rock band The Quireboys's second studio album, released in 1993. The album was released on EMI and went into the UK Albums Chart at #31....
- (1993) UK #31 - This Is Rock'N'RollThis Is Rock'n'RollThis Is Rock'n'Roll is rock band The Quireboys's third studio album, it is the first album recorded after the band re-united. Their last album before this was recorded in 1993.-Track listing:# "This Is Rock'n'Roll"# "Show Me What You Got"# "Searching"...
- (2001) - Well Oiled - (2004)
- Homewreckers & Heartbreakers - (2008)
- Halfpenny Dancer - (2009)
Spike and Tyla's Hot Knives
- Flagrantly Yours - (1996)
- Flagrantly Electrically Acoustically Yours - (2005)
Solo
- Blue Eyed Soul - (1998)
- It's a Treat to Be Alive - (2005)
- So Called Friends - Jerkin Crocus (2008)