The Quireboys are a hard rock band from London, active since 1984. They are also known as The Queerboys, and in the United States as the London Quireboys. Their sound is associated with blues rock, glam metal, glam punk and hard rock.

History

The band starts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, taking its name from the 1977 comedy film of the same title. The line-up described in the early period includes John Grey, known as Spike, on vocals; Guy Griffin and Guy Bailey on guitar; Chris Johnstone on piano and keyboards; Nigel Mogg on bass guitar; and Ian Wallace on drums. The group becomes known for sleazy, rambunctious rock and for the 1990 album A Bit of What You Fancy, which brings major radio play and reaches the US market.

After the first album, the band has difficulties with its record label and the release of Bitter Sweet & Twisted is delayed until 1993. The rise of grunge and alternative rock makes the rest of the 1990s difficult, and the band splits up. Spike leads occasional reunion shows, including a performance at the Bulldog Bash with Thunder in 1998.

The Quireboys reunite in 2000 and record This Is Rock 'n' Roll, released in 2001. Later releases include Well Oiled in 2004, Homewreckers and Heartbreakers in 2008, Beautiful Curse in 2013, and Amazing Disgrace in 2019. A single, Too Much of a Good Thing, appears in 2013 and is taken from Beautiful Curse.

Recent activity

In late 2021 the band supports the Dead Daisies on their UK tour. At the February 2022 Monsters of Rock Cruise, the Quireboys perform as a five-piece with Griffin handling vocals after Spike does not appear. In March 2022 the band releases Spike from the group, and later tour with Guy Griffin as lead vocalist. The change leads to a dispute over the Quireboys name.

Spike later says he is working with original members Guy Bailey and Nigel Mogg on new music under the Quireboys name. The band releases the CD/DVD Orchestral Quireboys Live in 2023. Guy Bailey, one of the founding members, dies in April 2023. The remaining members Guy Griffin, Paul Guerin and Keith Weir then announce The Band Rolls On... for release through Off Yer Rocka Recordings, and in October 2023 it is announced that Spike and the remaining original members are due to headline the Friday Night Party at Stonedead Festival, with Luke Morley of Thunder playing in Bailey’s place.

By September 2024, the Griffin-led version of the band changes its name to Black Eyed Sons and retitles its planned album Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits.

Members

Members associated with the group include Ginger Wildheart, Guy Griffin, Paul Guerin, Phil Martini, Nigel Mogg, Spike, Keith Weir and Guy Bailey.