NEWS: The Quireboys release Breaking Rocks single and video ahead of Diamond Rock Club dates

YOU all set for The Quireboys appearance on two nights at the Diamond Rock Club on Friday, April 7th and Saturday April 8th?

Yes, the reborn rock and roll reprobates The Quireboys will be plugging in and partying hard as per usual.

Their new video / single 'Breaking Rocks' is at the end of this post.

A 10-date run of UK acoustic shows this December brings down the curtain on another landmark year for the supercharged six-piece.

But there’s no rest for the wicked where Spike and co. are concerned and the boys are back in Ahoghill in a matter of weeks.

Lauded as their loudest and proudest album for 25 years, 'Twisted Love' screams heartache, passion, tears and tension. And it’s time for the record’s most powerful themes to be unleashed.

“We made this record with a full-on rock and roll show in mind,” said guitarist Guy Griffin. “The songs are some of the strongest we’ve ever written and that comes across best when all six of us are on stage and the volume is turned up.”

Not since the band’s early 90s heyday have The Quireboys sounded so compelling and so relevant. The bittersweet title track, bullish 'Breaking Rocks' and terrific 'Ghost Train' reveal a band going back to the future and back to what they always did best.

And if The Quireboys have proved themselves masters of an intimate and intriguing unplugged experience, then rocking out remains their traditional calling card.

“We played a handful of fully plugged shows in the UK earlier this year and the response to the new songs was tremendous,” added Griffin. “Those gigs gave us the confidence to dig deep into Twisted Love on the next tour and we can’t wait.”

Twisted Love is The Quireboys’ 10th studio album and the sound of a band enjoying a creative rebirth and a rich vein of songwriting form. More than 30 years after bursting onto the UK’s rock and roll scene their incendiary live shows continue to set the standard for the next generation of homegrown heroes.

The Quireboys are: Spike (vocals) - Guy Griffin (guitar) - Paul Guerin (guitar) - Keith Weir (keyboards) - Nick Mailing (bass) - Dave McCluskey (drums), as if you didn't know that already!.

LIVE REVIEW: All-star celebration for Diamond Rock Club's 10th Birthday Party

IF there is a more out of the way rock club in Western Europe it hasn't been yet found: The Diamond Rock Club is situated above a small bar, in a small County Antrim village, well away from the capital of Northern Ireland.

Despite this, for 10 years it has kept going, attracting faithful fans, with a family atmosphere and attracting national and international acts to its intimate surroundings.

As part of the birthday celebrations five of Northern Ireland's outstanding musicians came together for a party, a party that was greeted by the usual Diamond Rock Club raucousness, beer toasts and banter.

Cormac Neeson (The Answer), Pat McManus, Keith Weir (The Quireboys), Davey Bates (Stormzone)and Seamy Donnelly (A Little Bitter) plus a guest appearance for Steve 'Rock' (Lo Mejor)made for one talented group of individuals.

But, could they gel together given the limited time they had to rehearse for the gig. Of course they could - this was a masterclass in how to produce a set of fan favourites, there are no egos they just play damn fine hard rocking fun.

From opener 'Nutbush City Limits' to closer 'Highway to Hell' this was more than a celebration of the Diamond Rock Club's 10th Birthday, this was a celebration of the sheer joy that rock 'n' roll can bring; a type of ecstasy that requires no drugs (okay maybe some beers do help).

Amidst all the smiles there was probably none more than 'Basher' Bates - grins aplenty as he tortured his kit into submission.

All the musicians were enjoying themselves throughout, almost as much as the crowd. Whether it was Thin Lizzy'a 'Rosalie' and 'Jailbreak; Free's 'All Right Now' and 'My Brother Jake'; or Hendrix's 'Purple Haze' this was entertainment at its peak.

Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' was turned into 'Sweet Home Ballymena' and the encore included the oft-called for 'Freebird'.

Sure, to some this might have represented the clichéd underbelly or hard rock, but that misses the point. These are the songs that were the foundations of all our journeys into rock and metal; these are sounds that formed our youth, and have endured to this day.

And, what is more Derwin and co at the Diamond Rock Club have enabled us to experience these songs, new acts, older acts and much, much more over the past 10 years.

We doff our cap and quaff our beers in your honour.

Review and pictures by Jonny

ALBUM REVIEW: The Quireboys excel on St Cecilia and the Gypsy Soul

SPIKE and his merry band of troubadours churn out excellence so consistently that when they release a new album it seems a given that it will be another stellar platter. And, that's the case with the latest offering from The Quireboys 'St Cecilia and the Gypsy Soul'.

It would be possible to just leave it there - The Quireboys unleash a great album, full stop, end of review.

But, hell that would be a disservice to this lush offering of heartfelt odes to the human condition. Whatever was in the water in Swedish town Klippan when the band got down to recording it should be distilled and shared globally.

Just listen to the yearning, the heartache and broken words of 'The Promise' strings, acoustic solo runs and a nagging repetitive riff that tugs and tears at the soul.

And, in contrast the title track, 'St Cecilia' has that wild air of people living on the edges of society, where it is dangerous to be, but safer than the world where suits and billionaire banker bask in their ill-gotten gains.

'Can't Hide It Anymore' is the song that will have every American middle-of-the-road rocker gets down on their knees, knowing they'll never be able to match in terms of balance and perfection. Spike even gives a slight twang of mid-Atlantic accent at times to add to the atmosphere.

However, that wasn't the plan when Spike, Paul, Guy and Keith headed to Scandanavia...

“The plan was always to record some new acoustic songs and rework some originals,” said Spike. “But the plan changed. There was something about that place – the vibe got better and better and we just went with the flow.”

Aptly there is a track on the album called 'The Best Are Not Forgotten' because this release comes as a four-CD package, including 'Halfpenny Dancer' – finally available again – and two discs covering the previously unreleased 2010 Halfpenny Dancer live show featuring fiddles, pedal steel, mandolin, banjo and more.

“This side of the band needs to heard,” said Spike. “And we’ll be taking the new music out on the road with our most intimate tour yet.”

That road  trip concludes in The Diamond Rock Club (tonight, 28th March) and if you missed out on the show then make sure to grab this album.

Back to where we started - The Quireboys, steeped in excellence, releasing excellence.

St Cecilia and the Gypsy Soul is released on March 30th on Off Yer Rocka

 

Review by Jonny




 

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COMIN' ATCHA: Remember last year? Remember the Quireboys acoustic Diamond show? It's coming back

FOR those of you able to cast your mind back a year or so ago, you may, or may not recall the night the Quireboys brought their Unplugged and Personal acoustic tour to Ahoghill Rock City's very own Diamond Rock Club.


Well, it seems that Spike, Paul, Keith and Guy are, after an incredible 30th Anniversary World Tour, and by popular demand after last year's highly acclaimed unplugged tour, The Quireboys are pleased to announce a very intimate string of evenings early 2015.

This is a great chance for all Quireboys fans nationwide to experience an audience with the madmen - in the very best sense of the word - in a very unique and laid back surrounding.


The night will involve all the classics, rarities, surprises as well as a selection of new material, played in unplugged arrangements as well as the all to famous QB banter and stories to create a very unique evening .

It may be only Rock n Roll, but even good old R'n'R has it's special moments and this is certainly one not to miss.


The Quireboys play The Diamond on the very last night of the tour, March 28th. Tickets from the Diamond Bar, or from We Got Tickets (who also have beer bus tickets for sale).
 

LIVE REVIEW: It was 7 'olock and it was time for a party with The Quireboys and company

THE song goes that "It's Seven O'clock, time for a party" and on Friday 21st November The Quireboys led a triple-headed monster of a party with beer flowing, voices raised and music the dripped with pathos, bathos, the blues, and damn fine rock 'n' roll.

Even the blackened heart of a dyed in the wool, corpse-painted black metaller could be see to groove and get on down to an atmosphere that made the American honky-tonk jive joints seem like a Sunday School.

Opening the party were Dublin's Preacher's Son. Unknown to almost every sinner in the Limelight2 audience it took just a couple of songs for them to endear themselves to those already sinking early pints.

With vocals low enough to be a match between Johnny Cash and Pete Steele, the bluesy folk tales were tinged with moments of angst and highlights of glorious soaring rock.

Javier Vargas had went out and about bringing his Latin roots to hard rock from the early 90s, and when his Vargas Blues Band took to the Belfast stage within a couple of bars of their opening song the crowd was enraptured.

With Javier's guitar weaving spells, Gaz Pearson was swirling vocal lines backed in vocal harmonies from Luis on bass and Peter (drums).

It's fair to say that for many Vargas Blues Band were a delightful surprise - the perfect way to loosen limbs and get the throat lubricated ahead of The 'boys.

Spike and his motley gypsy troubadours are regular visitors to these parts, and always, always, bring the party. Put simply they provide the soundtrack to the fun, the audio accompaniment to excess - all the time keeping the music at its core and may the devil take the hindmost.

It could be argued that The Quireboys are the true inheritors of punk, and in some respects they are more punk than many preened and posing pop punk pouring their saccharine tales out today.

Because, to a large extent punk was a reaction to the overblown, over-produced rock and prog rock of the mid to late 70s. Punk harkened back to the days of straight-forward rock, albeit with a more overt political agenda. In the face of an industry more interested in the latest over-dubbed, vocally enhanced 'starlet' to be financed by phone-ins and TV, The Quireboys cut against the grain looking back to the days when the Faces and Mott the Hopple played rock the way it should be played.

From the moment when Guy Griffin and Paul Guerin hit their six-strings, and Keith Weir ran fingers across the ivories it was clear that, as they say themselves "This Is Rock 'n' Roll".

Nevermind the glory of the hits such as 'There She Goes Again' and '7 O'Clock', each and every song was played with aplomb and passion.

'Troublemaker', 'Beautiful Curse', 'Mona Lisa Smiled', and 'Sweet Mary Ann' captured the very soul of rock - balancing choruses and verses with musicianship deceptively powerful and with a real soul.

Spike is what you imagine a proper rock star should be. Booze on board, teetering on the edge of oblivion, but every night able to pound out the standards and vocally weep odes to love and broken hearts.

This may be 30 years on from the first inklings of this vision of rock took shape, but despite a brief hiatus it is clear that Simon Cowell and his lords and masters in accounting and bean counting may dominate the airwaves will never, ever be able to stop the march of The Quireboys and their ilk.

They may not be playing the stadiums, but in each club, each bar, each venue that The Quireboys ply their rock 'n' roll trade they will not be cowed by the winds of fashion because rock and fucking roll will never die.

Review by Jonny

Photos courtesy of Paul Verner

All parts of this review - including pix - are protected by copyright

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The Quireboys return to Northern Ireland on 28th March, 2015 with their Unplugged and Proud set coming to the Diamond Rock Club

ALBUM REVIEW: Hey you! Listen up to the gospel of rock 'n' roll delivered by The Quireboys on Black Eyed Sons

 

Delivering the rockin' gospel, The Quireboys turn in

triple feast on Black Eyed Sons release

FOR a moment picture a scene: it's a ballroom in a hotel; midnight is imminent. Languishing around tables couples get together or break up. The round tables are filled with half empty glasses of booze.

The men have loosened their bow ties and the women have kicked off their high heels.

At the front a wild-eyed gypsy singer is delivering odes to heartbreak and lullabies of love. The people in the ballroom begin to move to the front, some signing along, some entranced by the sounds of blues and songs of beauty. And, then as midnight strikes the audience gets a second breath, the energy surge from the Black Eye Sons kicks into high rock 'n' roll.

This, readers, is the scene that could encapsulate the mood evoked by The Quireboys on their Black Eyed Sons album. From What Do You Want From Me and Julieanne, through to the hard rockin' statement that is the album opener Troublemaker (Black Eyed Sons).

This an album for ballrooms, balmy summer nights by the sea, an album when played live will have sweat dripping down the walls and cheers raised loud.

Spike's voice has, as always, produced an evocative, lightly gravelled tone: angst, heartache and joy all delivered from a larynx and vocal chords that were bestowed on him by some strange quirk of rock 'n' roll fate.

Guy Griffin captures the mood of each track, whether it is an acoustic romp, pained solos, well timed riffs, mirrored by Paul Guerin's literal ownership of tone and tempo, with added flourish and flair that is both to the fore and at time appropriately restrained in the mix to allow each song to evolve. No doubt producer Chris Tsangarides had a hand in this balance.

But the band also have an ace card now in the shape of Northern Ireland's own Keith Weir, who adds the luscious keyboard background to tracks, but also can unleash full on honky tonk blues such as the rolls on You Never Can Tell.

Thirty years on and the band are still fresh in sound; never mind the road wearied looks.

“I’ve always felt like I’m 30-years-old,” said Spike. “So this is our time. And I’d just like to raise a toast to the next 30 years.”

Never one to shy away from a gargle, Spike can also do something special such as the delicate closing tracks Mothers Ruin and Monte Cassino (Lady Lane). Simply stunning ballads, careful song structures working to capture the lyrics Spike delivers with aplomb.

"Well I left my heart in a letter, at the tree where we first kissed Lady Lane I hope you'll never read" 

Thirty years? A landmark sure, but more importantly this is not some retro lame ass shtick: this is a band right up to date; it's just the world hasn't caught up with The Quireboys quiet revolution.

Is this a worthy release to follow the awesome Beautiful Curse album?  Yes.

For those who want the whole deal the top line release is packaged alongside a CD of The Quireboys’ main stage acoustic set at 2013’s Sweden Rock festival – in front of 40,000 fans – and a live 7 CAM shot DVD featuring the London leg of last year’s Beautiful Curse tour.

That live CD alone is worth spending that bit extra as a congenial band deliver to a congenial audience acoustic renditions of the likes of There She Goes Again, Devil of a Man, Sweet Mary Anne and 7 o'clock.

Review by Jonny

 

Black Eyed Sons is out now on Off Yer Rocka Recordings

 

The Quireboys play Belfast's Limelight2 on November 21st, with guests the Vargas Blues Band. Tickets are £16 and available from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets.