Spike (musician)

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Spike


Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jonathan Gray
Alias = Spike Gray
Born =
Died =
Origin = Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = Rock
Occupation = Singer
Songwriter
Years_active = 1984–present
Label = Various
Associated_acts = The Quireboys
URL = [http://www.thequireboys.com 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.

Biography

Gray grew up in Northern England, but at age 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 sang 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; the first was in 1994 with Darrell Bath of the Dogs D'Amour. The recording, called "Take Out Some Insurance", was an album of covers, featuring songs from old blues artists, and was released under the name "Spike an' Darrell" [ [http://www.sonny1968.de/preview/spike.htm Sonny1968.de] ] .

Soon after, Spike moved back to Newcastle and, in 1996, he recorded with another members of the Dogs D'Amour — this time it was frontman Tyla, with whom he recorded an album entitled "Flagrantly Yours", under the name "Spike and Tyla's Hot Knives". In 1998, Spike recorded his first solo album "Blue Eyed Soul".

The Quireboys reformed in 2001 with a new line-up and have released three new albums since that time. Spike's second solo studio album, "It's a Treat to Be Alive", was released in 2005, followed by "So Called Friends" in 2008.

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 he caused the brawl, and refused to blame Spike. The Quireboys have since played on the same bill as MSG, Schenker's group.

He also did the vocals on the song Don't Cry on the tribute album to Guns N' Roses called Uncivil War.

Discography

This discography documents the studio albums Spike has been a part of in various projects, throughout his musical career.

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)

pike an' Darrell

*"Take Out Some Insurance" - (1995)

pike and Tyla's Hot Knives

*"Flagrantly Yours" - {1996)
*"Flagrantly Electrically Acoustically Yours" - (2005)

olo

*"Blue Eyed Soul" - (1998)
*"It's a Treat to Be Alive" - (2005)
*"So Called Friends" - Jerkin Crocus (2008)

References