Spike (musician)
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| Spike | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jonathan Gray |
| Also known as | Spike Gray |
| Origin | Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Genre(s) | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer Songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Label(s) | Various |
| Associated acts | The Quireboys |
| Website | The Quireboys |
Spike (born as Jonathan Gray in Newcastle upon Tyne) 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.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Gray grew up in Northern England, but at aged 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 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, first in 1994 with Darrell Bath of the Dogs D'Amour, the recording was a covers album featuring songs from old blues artists, it was called "Take Out Some Insurance" and was released under the name Spike an' Darrell[1]. He had moved back to Newcastle soon after and in 1996, recorded with another members of the Dogs D'Amour, this time it was frontman Tyla; they recorded an album entitled "Flagrantly Yours", under the name Spike and Tyla's Hot Knives.
Spike recorded his first solo album "Blue Eyed Soul", in 1998. The Quireboys have reformed with a new line-up since 2001 and have released two new albums since that time. Spike also released his second solo studio album in 2005, titled "It's a Treat to Be Alive".
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 the brawl had been caused by him, and refused to blame Spike. The Quireboys have since played on the same bill as MSG, Schenker's group.
[edit] Discography
This discography documents the studio albums Spike has been a part of in various projects, throughout his musical career.
[edit] The Quireboys
- A Bit of What You Fancy - (1990) UK #2
- Bitter Sweet & Twisted - (1993) UK #31
- This Is Rock'N'Roll - (2001)
- Well Oiled - (2004)
- Homewreckers & Heartbreakers - (2008)
[edit] Spike an' Darrell
- Take Out Some Insurance - (1995)
[edit] Spike and Tyla's Hot Knives
- Flagrantly Yours - {1996)
- Flagrantly Electrically Acoustically Yours - (2005)
[edit] Solo
- Blue Eyed Soul - (1998)
- It's a Treat to Be Alive - (2005)
- So Called Friends - Jerkin Crocus (2008)
