An R&B flavoured Rock band heavily reliant on 70's Blues Rock. Initially known as THE PRETTY GIRLS and then THE QUEERBOYS the band recorded demos as a unit of SPIKE (real name Jonathan Gray), former SKID MARKS guitarist Guy Bailey and Willie Dowling, the latter previously frontman for THE GRIP. These recordings would much later be issued as the 'From Tooting to Barking' album.

A finalised band line up was then assembled of Spike, Bailey, keyboard player Chris Johnstone, drummer Coze, erstwhile IPANEMA KATZ, AVENGER and ZIG ZAG guitarist Ginger and bassist Nigel Mogg and this incarnation adopted the name THE QUIREBOYS, following a brief flirtation with THE PRETTY GIRLS, in mid 1986.

The group was quick to undertake a gruelling series of club gigs to establish the band with the public, including dates supporting HANOI ROCKS, BERNIE TORME and CHERRY BOMBZ and performed at the Reading Festival in 1987. The band also supported GUNS N' ROSES at London's Hammersmith Odeon in October of the same year. In early 1988 the band supported YNGWIE MALMSTEEN in Britain before playing their own sell out shows at London's Dominion theatre and Astoria as label interest intensified. Another Reading festival in August 1988 saw the band sharing a billing with MEAT LOAF, URIAH HEEP and STARSHIP.

Prior to eventually signing with EMI, the band was managed by bassist Mogg's relative UFO vocalist PHIL MOGG and, with shades of SPINAL TAP in the picture, the debut album was recorded minus drummer Coze. The sticksman was asked to leave and his position was filled by DON HENLEY drummer Ian Wallace. Ex-LONE JUSTICE drummer Rudy Richman secured the vacant drumstool upon the album's completion.

The album achieved spectacular success in Japan debuting at number 2. The band capitalised on this with a series of sell out Japanese shows. Meantime, in their home country the album peaked at no. 2. Touring in the UK saw the band partnered with WOLFSBANE.

During 1990 the band undertook an American tour alongside L.A. GUNS before performing at the Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' festival and European festivals with DAVID BOWIE. In January of 1991 the band performed at the London Wembley Arena 'Great British Music Weekend', sharing a bill comprising THUNDER, DAVID COVERDALE, MAGNUM and OZZY OSBOURNE. In the wake of such success on the road and with the album still racking up sales,'Live Around The World' was rush released to capitalise on the band's new found status and featured a ROLLING STONES cover in 'Heartbreaker'.

By late 1991, with Ginger having been ousted in favour of ex FELINE GROOVE guitarist Guy Griffin, THE QUIREBOYS were recording the follow up to the debut with noted producer Bob Rock in Vancouver. Sadly, the band failed to improve on the success of the first album, 'Bittersweet And Twisted', many feeling the act had simply been away from the limelight for too long a stretch. And, as the Grunge revolution began to kick in, the band would splinter.

Relocating to the States, Nigel Mogg and Guy Griffin formed BLOOD FROM A STONE in Los Angeles with Americans ex KILL FOR THRILLS guitarist Jason Nesmith and former CHEAP N' NASTY and MICHAEL MONROE drummer Joey De Pompei.

In the meantime, Spike formed GOD'S HOTEL with a trio of American musicians; namely guitarist Ted Hut, bass player Dominique Davalos and ex -BURNING TREES drummer Doni Gray. Rumours would also circulate attesting to a singer's union with former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash.

Records released a new QUIREBOYS album in 1994 entitled 'From Tooting to Barking', the aforementioned collection of pre 1990 demos featuring Spike, Guy Bailey and THE GRIP bassist Willie. In December of that year Spike cut some tracks with guitarist Darrell Bath releasing them on a cassette entitled 'Take Out Some Insurance'.

THE QUIREBOYS actually resurfaced in 1995 for a one off gig at Newcastle's Mayfair venue on a bill including THE WILDHEARTS (the band that had been formed by ex guitarist Ginger via a brief one gig stint in New York with THE THROBS), members of UFO and THE ALMIGHTY. The band later re-emerged as headliners at the Bulldog Bash bikers festival and a low key warm up date at Bradford Rio club.

After the demise of GOD'S HOTEL Spike formed a new act called HOT KNIVES in 1996. The group also featured former DOGS D'AMOUR frontman Tyla and released the album 'Flagrantly Yours'. Spike also reunited with Griffin to form a 70s tribute band, CRUMBLE PIE, to play the Los Angeles clubs.

Nigel Mogg busied himself by appearing as a member of UFO tribute band FAUCET (which later bizarrely featured UFO bassist PETE WAY) and then formed NANCY BOYS in Los Angeles during 1996 with Jason Nesmith. The following year Nigel Mogg joined up with guitarist Guy Griffin once again and gigged in London as THE CIRCLES.

Bailey created DOG KENNEL HILL with ex-KILL CITY DRAGONS bassist Dave Tregunna releasing the 1998 album 'Sweethearts Of The Rodeo'. SPIKE issued a solo album 'Blue Eyed Soul' the same year. 1999 found Griffin touting his new act GLIMMER issuing the album 'Silver Zone'.

The 2000 album 'Lost In Space' is made up of live recordings from the early 90's. After an eight year hiatus a 2001 reunion album 'This Is Rock n' Roll' was scheduled for release through Sanctuary Records. Joining Spike, Mogg and Griffin would be new faces Luke Bossendorfer on guitars and drummer Martin Henderson, both previously members of GLIMMER. Henderson also had previous experience with the BATFISH BOYS. The album would see Kevin Saviger handling keyboards but for live work Simon Rinaldo was pulled in, the ivory tickler cutting his teeth with a last minute acoustic support to CHEAP TRICK at the London Garage venue.

The band would form part of the roving 'Monsters Of Rock' UK tour toward the close of 2002 sharing billing with THUNDER, DOGS D'AMOUR and ALICE COOPER. Preceding this tour the band, billed as THE ALTAR GIRLS, put in a warm up gig at London's Marquee Club. In a surprise move former AIRRACE, VIRGINIA WOLF and BONHAM drummer Jason Bonham, son of the legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer, joined the band for these UK shows. Bonham subsequently hooked up with classic British Rock veterans UFO.

UK headline dates in September of 2003 saw CRASH KELLY as support act. By this stage the band had been joined by Michael Lee on drums, a veteran of HOLOSADE, LITTLE ANGELS, THE CULT and ROBERT PLANT. The group then hooked up with Newcastle Folk Metal veterans SKYCLAD for a short round of December gigs dubbed the 'Demolition Xmas Ball'. Support came courtesy of ANTI PRODUCT. A free CD would be given to gig goers, including two brand new tracks from each band.

Supporting DAVID LEE ROTH in the UK during February of 2004 the band sported an all new line up, featuring new draftees guitarist Paul Guerin and keyboard player Keith Weir. Both were previously members of the FIREBYRDS whilst Guerin had also served with RED DOGS, Brian Robertson's THE CLAN and THE KING. The guitarist had also served as guitar tech for UFO's Michael Schenker, contributing acoustic guitar to Schenker's own 1994 album 'Thank You'. With Michael Lee touring North America as part of THIN LIZZY new man on drums would be Pip Mailing, formely of Bedford act THE PECADILLOS. The band scored the valuable support slot to WHITESNAKE's October UK tour but mid way through these dates exited abruptly, claiming they had been "sacked" by David Coverdale.

SPIKE was back on the solo trail in 2005 with his second outing 'It's A Treat To Be Alive', issued through Demolition Records and hosting a cover version of SLADE's 'Everyday'. Featured in the studio would be THE QUIREBOYS band members Paul Guerin and Keith Weir on guitar and keyboards respectively, with Nigel Mogg on bass duties for a number of tracks. Also included would be BAD COMPANY guitarist Dave Colwell.

THE QUIREBOYS returned to touring in mainland Europe during October 2005, backed with strong support from fast rising Australian Rockers DOOMFOXX. A new album would be revealed as being a collection of cover versions with debut single 'Tears In Heaven', a rendition of the ERIC CLAPTON tune, being backed by takes of SLADE's 'Everyday' and FRANKIE MILLER's 'When I'm Away From You'.

In March of 2006 SPIKE joined DAMAGE CONTROL, a high profile union involving former MAGNUM, DAVID BYRON band, NOTORIOUS and LIFE guitarist ROBIN GEORGE, bassist PETE WAY of UFO, WAYSTED and OZZY OSBOURNE repute and drummer Chris Slade, the distinctive bald headed veteran also holding a prior tradition with AC/DC, URIAH HEEP, ASIA, MANFRED MANN, 100 PROOF and THE FIRM.

The band's May 2006 show at the Wembley Conference Centre saw Phil Martini of the TOKYO DRAGONS acting as temporary drummer. UK concerts in October saw the band debuting three brand new songs ''Hall Of Shame', 'Soul Slips Away' and 'Hello'.

The band supported THUNDER at Nottingham and Newcastle for their July 2009 farewell tour. THE QUIREBOYS celebrated 20 years since the release of their 1989 debut album, 'A Bit Of What You Fancy', by playing the album in full from start to finish on eight dates across the UK in December. Adding to the nostalgia, support came from the original line-up of WOLFSBANE, who were the opening act on the very first 'A Bit Of What You Fancy' tour.

The group, alongside TIGERTAILZ, SONATA ARCTICA, ROCK GODDESS, W.A.S.P., TERRORVISION, GIRLSCHOOL, QUEENSRŸCHE and NEW YORK DOLLS, played the 'Hard Rock Hell' festival in December 2009 at Pontins holiday resort in Prestatyn Sands, North Wales.