The Quireboys @ the Waterfront
Decent songs and great, understated playing
Due to an early start and disorganisation on the part of yours truly, I missed support bands Bad Touch and Texas Flood. They were both doing good business at the merch stall, which is always a good sign. Next time, fellas, next time.
Now, The Quireboys and I go waaaaay back. Nigh on thirty years ago, as a snotty teenager, I got talking to guitarist Ginger (later of The Wildhearts) at Shades Records, Soho's much missed rock and metal specialist. I ended up handing out flyers for the band and seeing them headline The Marquee that night. A lot has changed since then. Ginger left soon afterwards and only vocalist Spike remains but guitarist Guy Griffin has been with the band since 1990 whilst guitarist Paul Guerin and keyboard player Keith Weir both joined in 2004.
What hasn't changed is the music. This is proper, good-time bluesy, boozy rock 'n' roll, equal parts The Faces and The Stones, some southern rock grit, a healthy dose of soul testifying and even a dash of punk energy.
Introduced enthusiastically by a member of audience, the band kick into Troublemaker and a set that covers the band's career from classic debut A Bit Of What You Fancy to 2015's excellent St Cecilia And The Gypsy Soul.
Bedecked in white jeans and jacket, red shirt and headscarf, Spike looks like a cross between Dr John and Jack Sparrow as he struts, wiggles and slides across the stage like a proper old-school showman. Tonight at least, the gravel-throated voice might not have quite the power of old but it is still an instrument to be reckoned with. The band manage that tight-but-loose thing that is a mark of excellent musicians putting feel and soul over virtuosity
Highlights are Misled, a brooding Gracie B and the hit singles There She Goes Again and 7 O’Clock. The encore of I Don't Love You Anymore brings tears to grown men’s eyes, whilst Sex Party has its tongue firmly in (someone else’s) cheek.
For me, it isn’t quite perfect. There’s no Mayfair or Whippin’ Boy but you can’t please everyone all of the time and I’m just nitpicking. The Quireboys’ music might not change the world, and some might even say this type of rock ‘n’ roll should be consigned to history, but bollocks to that. The Quireboys will always deliver a brilliant show, chock full of decent songs and great, understated playing. And that, for me, is a very good thing. Spike and co, thank you for being you and doing what you do so well. Come back soon.
