The Rolling Stones
Quireboys frontman Spike talks about the elements of sound, style and more that he’s picked up from his biggest inspiration: the Greatest Rock’n’Roll Band In The World.
What I’ve learned from the Rolling Stones. By Spike
If you hadn’t guessed from his gypsy-rock wardrobe and musical swagger that Spike is a Rolling Stones obsessive, then the Quireboys leader will gladly spell it out. “They’re the whole reason we started this band,” he says, as he prepares to share his Stonesspun wisdom. “I grew up with them from when I was a kid. Y’know, I’d sing along with the records. I’d sit there and write out all the lyrics. And they’re a band that I’ve stuck with for the rest of my life.”
dress the part
The Stones always looked cool. Generations of bands have taken everything from Keith, but back in the seventies, with that whole look, he started a new trend without even trying. Being from Newcastle, I played football all the time. I always had the Keef haircut, and everybody would go: “Who’s that little girl running around?”
Even when me and Guy [Bailey, guitarist] started the band, we worked on a building site, and I’d turn up dressed like that, and Guy would be in eyeliner. And I remember this old Irish guy asking us: “What’s your band called?” We said: “We’re gonna be called The Choirboys.” And this old guy says: “Well, you should be called the fucking Queerboys.” So we went: “Brilliant! What a great name!”
So that’s how we started, as the Queerboys. But when we got a record deal, it was like: ‘This is serious now. You can’t have that name if you want to get on Top Of The Pops.”
Meet your heroes
I’ve had a few encounters with the Stones and it’s always been great. When I moved down to London, in 1984, the Dirty Strangers were playing at a club, and my friend calls
“The Stones are the whole reason we started the Quireboys.” Spike
me and says: “Come down now, Keith and Ronnie are here.” So I went down, walked up to them and asked them to produce the first Quireboys album. I think they probably told us to fuck off.
If I’d been Keith, I’d have told me to fuck off too. Y’know, when you’re a young upstart you’re full of confidence. I probably had a few drinks in me, and you think you’re it. But I was just sitting there having a drink with them and never felt star-struck.
Later, when Ronnie was playing on my Frankie Miller album [100% Pure Frankie Miller, 2014], we were doing this ballad, and he says: “What do you want us to play on this?” I said: “Remember Beast Of Burden? That sound, please.” And Ronnie’s like: “Beast Of Burden? Okay, you’ve got it.” They’re just great people.
It’s about the rock
and the roll
When I was a kid, Tattoo You was such a major part of my life. It was the best Stones album because you had the A-side, which had Start Me Up and all the rockers, and I’d put that on every night before I went out to the Mayfair in Newcastle. Then when you got back in you’d put on the other side, and it was all the mellow stuff. Then there was Exile On Main St, which got me into Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, all of that. And songs like Far Away Eyes from Some Girls; I’d never listened to any country and western before, but the Quireboys have always put in a country song here and there, and that’s definitely an influence off the Stones.
always bring a bottle
In 1990 I was on tour in America with L.A. Guns when I rang home to speak to my dad and he told me the Stones were playing St James’ Park in Newcastle. So I got on the phone to [then Quireboys manager] Sharon Osbourne, and I said: “Sharon, if you can get me on with the Stones, I’ll die a happy man and love you forever.” And you know what? She sorted it out.
We flew in from New York and it was brilliant. It was at the time when you couldn’t drink at football stadiums. And I said to Keith: “Can you believe it? You can’t even get a pint out there.” And he went: “Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of booze, come with me.” And he gives us some shots of Jack Daniel’s. And then when the Stones played and Mick was introducing the band, he goes: “This is Ronnie Wood. He wishes he was in the Quireboys, but we’re gonna keep him for the time being.” So I’ve been a lucky chap. I can die a happy man.
mick Jagger Is the ultimate frontman
When we first started the Quireboys, I was playing the guitar. I’d never sung through a mic before, but I broke all the strings on my guitar one day and I ended up saying: “Ah, give me a shot at singing.” Just sort of blasting it out, y’know? Everybody always says that I sound like fuckin’ Rod Stewart and all this. I get that all the time. But in my head I always think I sound like Mick Jagger.
don’t copy keith
I know a few people who tried to keep up with Keith’s lifestyle, but they didn’t last. And there’s a lot of people suffering who’ve tried to keep up with him. Thank God we all survived. It’s unbelievable, really, considering what we got up to. We were never hammered on stage, apart from once in Chicago, where I was worse for wear and I had a fight. That was a disaster, and I said I’ll never do that again. You never saw Mick Jagger off his face on stage, did you? And Keith could always hold it together.
age Is Just a number
I don’t agree that the Rolling Stones have gone off since the seventies. Not at all. Undercover Of The Night [1983] I thought was fucking brilliant.
There was the Doom And Gloom single [2012]. And that new fuckin’ blues album [Blue & Lonesome, 2016] is really cool as well. Who’d have thought they’d come out with that? They’re still setting the benchmark for every band. You think the Stones are going to disappear at some point soon? Well, you just don’t know.
They might outlast all of us yet.