God Bless Thirsty Quireboys

God Bless Thirsty Quireboys

GOD BLESS AMERICA –

BEST OF THIRSTY

FEATURING THE QUIREBOYS – SPIKE, GUY BAILEY, CHRIS JOHNSTONE 

RELEASED JUNE 5th 2026

Pre-Order Here

London-based rock project Thirsty Quireboys return with God Bless America, a striking release that celebrates the life, work and unmistakable creative spirit of the late Guy Bailey – founder of The Quireboys, songwriter, guitarist, and the architect of Thirsty’s distinctive sound. The album will be released June 5th 2026.

The title song God Bless America recounts the devastating real story of Rosemary Kennedy, sister of JFK: presented as a debutante to the Royal Family, later forcibly lobotomised on the insistence of her father, Joe Kennedy. During the operation, fully conscious, she was asked to sing God Bless America. When she stopped, so did they. Set to Irina D’s vivid, tightly focused lyrics and Guy’s haunting guitar motif, the track moves from romance to horror with stark elegance. Spike delivers one of the most emotionally charged vocal performances of his career, rising from tenderness to raw intensity as the narrative unfolds. Musically, Bailey’s use of discordant, looping E-minor phrases functions as an allegorical unravelling of the American Dream, echoing the spirit of Hendrix’s Star-Spangled Banner and the subversive grit of Springsteen’s Born in the USA.

Guy Bailey and Spike co‑founded The Quireboys, writing the songs that took the band from Monday-night pub gigs to being managed by Sharon Osborne and global tours with The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith, earning gold and platinum records along the way.

Guy Bailey’s solo project “Thirsty” began early in 2014 when he began working with Russian poet and lyricist Irina D. Their collaboration fused Bailey’s song-writing genius with Irina’s passion for storytelling and literature. Favourite novels, poems and real-life histories were framed and retold in three-minute songs, each lovingly produced by Chris Kimsey. Irina D: “I loved working with Guy on these songs. He was very well-read and his home was always full of books – Master and Margarita, Last Exit To Brooklyn and Moby Dick. The first song we ever did was Donnie to Sonny. I showed him a poem I had written and, whenever the story resonated, Guy went away and set my words to music. It was beautiful.”

Thirsty absolutely embraced the discipline of the classic song format. Within that tight frame, Bailey and Irina D crafted miniature cinematic worlds: each track a distilled portrait of a life, a myth, or a moment of human truth. Between 2015 and 2018, they released three critically acclaimed albums: Thirsty, Albatross and Nomad, featuring contributions from top-tier musicians including Simon Hanson (Squeeze, Death in Vegas), Chris Johnstone (The Quireboys), Lynne Jackaman (Saint Jude), and Kristi Kimsey. Drummer Simon Hansen “I’ve known Guy for longer than I have been in Squeeze! He was a great friend – a fabulously talented musician and songwriter even though he always did his best to downplay this fact. The Thirsty thing really was unusual. Irina D would bring poems to Guy based on books and stories she had read – and Guy went away set them to music. It was a bit like Elton John and Bernie Taupin in that respect.”

Originally, the new album was the brainchild of Irina D and was conceived as a simple tribute: Spike would sing just one track, ‘10 7 and Possibly 6’. But his first take stunned everyone in the studio, Guy’s guitar and Spike’s voice locked together with the force of old chemistry reignited. What began as one song quickly became a full, emotionally charged album. Spike himself says “…to get the chance to make a record again with Guy was really special.”

More than a compilation, God Bless America is a rare and unexpected reunion: a posthumous collaboration between Guy Bailey and his longtime friend and musical partner Spike (The Quireboys), reimagining Bailey’s songs through new vocals and powerful duets. Remixed and shaped under the ear of legendary Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey, the album brings new clarity, weight and emotional depth to the music Bailey created with co-writer Irina D. As Chris says,“Spike’s voice has always complemented Guy’s guitar playing perfectly. And the addition of one of the world’s best vocalists really complements and illuminates these songs. It was a really happy accident and I was delighted to be a part of it”

In addition to the title track, the album revisits some of Thirsty’s most beloved and most ambitious storytelling pieces: “Donnie to Sonny”– the true-life bond between mobster Sonny Black and undercover FBI agent Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco). “Flawless” – a jewel thief’s escape, inspired by To Catch a Thief and the 2013 Cannes jewellery heist. “Albatross” – a vivid reimagining of Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner. “Chaos” – Guy Bailey reciting Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress to introduce a modern allegorical wanderer. “Orlando” – a musical transformation of Virginia Woolf’s gender-shifting hero/ine. Each track has been re‑voiced, remixed and revitalised under Chris Kimsey’s direction, creating incredible versions of Thirsty’s strongest work. Chris Johnstone (bass) agrees “…This was an important record for all of us – and he (Spike) made sure that his voice was sounding as good as it has ever done. The results speak for themselves. “

God Bless America – Best Of Thirsty stands as both a celebration and an evolution: a final collaboration between two great friends and lifelong musical partners, and a new chapter in the ongoing story of Thirsty. At its heart is the enduring creative spark of Guy Bailey—his melodies, his instinctive guitar work, and the stories he helped bring to life. Through Spike’s vocals, Irina’s writing, and Chris Kimsey’s guidance, the album cements his legacy while allowing the songs to breathe in a new and powerful way.

Quireboys New Video Ahead of Album Release

Quireboys New Video Ahead of Album Release

QUIREBOYS RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM ‘WARDOUR STREET’

RELEASED OCTOBER 11TH VIA CADIZ MUSIC

Pic Rita D’Albert

ORDER HERE:

UK TOUR CONFIRMED FOR NOVEMBER

PRE-ORDER ‘WARDOUR STREET’ HERE:

Formed in the mid ‘80s in London, the Quireboys quickly established themselves on the thriving rock’n’roll scene of Soho, Camden and beyond. Always a great live band, they perfected their style and sold out the legendary Marquee Club and many other venues around the country, long before they made their first record.

When Parlophone/EMI Records released their debut album ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ on January 29th 1990 it went on to climb to the dizzy heights of number 2 on the UK National chart. The album featured many of the songs they had been performing live for some time. ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ is revered to this day. The second album ‘Bitter, Sweet And Twisted’ followed in 1993, after which the band entered a hiatus. 

Now in 2024, the Quireboys the band have come full circle with their highly anticipated new album ‘Wardour Street’ and original members Spike, Nigel, Chris and Rudy (augmented by old friend and multi-instrumentalist Willie Dowling) have kept true to their promise of making new Quireboys music after the sad passing of their best mate Guy Bailey. 

Stepping in on guitar is another of their oldest friends, the legendary Luke Morley from Thunder. Luke also produced the album.

The album consists of 11 new original songs that hark back to that famous Quireboys rock’n’roll sound. The album features the singles ‘Jeeze Louise’, ‘Raining Whiskey’ featuring Frankie Miller and the brand new single ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’, which is set for release on September 27th.

“The new single ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’ is Quireboys at their very best with our classic backing vocals, rock ‘n roll guitar and honky tonk piano. Just wait for it to kick in!” says singer Spike.

This is indeed timeless Quireboys getting back to their sing-along, rock ‘n roll best.

A message from Spike; “To our friends and fans, old and new, thanks for your amazing support. See you on tour and at the bar in a town near you!”

‘Wardour Street’ will be released October 11th via Cadiz Music. Pre-order HERE: 

The Quireboys return to the USA in May

The Quireboys return to the USA in May

English rock’n’roll band The Quireboys will make a triumphant and welcome return to the States to finish what they started back in 2020. 

Here are the first ticket links to be announced:

05.04.22    BROOKLYN MONARCH    BROOKLYN,NY   https://bit.ly/3HYmLhL
05.05.22    ANGEL CITY MUSIC HALL    MANCHESTER, NH    https://bit.ly/366y7C6
05.06.22    VAULT MUSIC HALL    NEW BEDFORD, MA    https://bit.ly/3JCLzMm
05.07.22    ARTIE’S    FRENCHTOWN, NJ    https://bit.ly/3hYdDy2
05.08.22    M3 ROCK FESTIVAL    COLUMBIA, MD  https://bit.ly/3JEmzEP
05.10.22    DIAMOND MUSIC HALL    ST.PETERS MO    https://bit.ly/3MEnAPr
05.11.22    BILLIARDS CLUB    LOUISVILLE, KY    https://bit.ly/3t1kJsa
05.13.22    THE VENUE    DENVER, CO   https://bit.ly/3v32QKZ
05.14.22    LEATHERHEADS    DRAPER, UT   https://bit.ly/3LJJ64E
05.15.22    DIVE BAR   LAS VEGAS, NV    TBC
05.18.22    WHISKY A GO GO    W.HOLLYWOOD, CA   https://bit.ly/3oUvee4

Meet N Greet packages Here

The lads were in the throws of a stunning country-wide tour when the pandemic hit – and have been itching to get back ever since.  That time is now, and May 2022 sees the band – most famous for their hit album “A Bit Of What You Fancy” – embark on a fresh tour of the USA taking in New York, Denver, Las Vegas and many more cities across the country including a stop at the prestigious M3 Festival in Baltimore. The tour will reach a triumphant conclusion at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood – and for the tour The Quireboys are joined by the amazing Midnight Devils and Steve Ramone.

In addition to tickets which will be available shortly, the band are available at most venues for meet and greets – follow the link below to reserve your spot!

Following the band’s inception in London, UK in 1984 – originally as The Choirboys, then The Queerboys, before settling on the less controversial name of The Quireboys – there followed 6 years of hard graft and personnel changes before the inevitable happened – a UK number 2 album.

Spike and Guy have been the backbone of THE quintessential British rock’n’roll band ever since – a journey that has seen them play to 72,000 at 1990’s Monsters of Rock at Donington with the likes of Whitesnake, Aerosmith and Poison – supporting The Rolling Stones that same year, and joining Guns N’ Roses again a couple of years later on their “Use Your Illusion” tour.

The Quireboys’ – A Bit of What You Fancy Anniversary Edition News update

The Quireboys’ – A Bit of What You Fancy Anniversary Edition News update

A Bit Of What You Fancy 2 to Hit Stores 2nd July as Fans Get Behind The Quireboys to Make National Top 10!


It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for – The Quireboys’ A Bit of What You Fancy Anniversary Edition is confirmed to land on 2nd July initially with the CDs, and then Blue Vinyls 6 weeks after that.

In addition, the lead single, 7 O’Clock, is set to be released on 18th June as a double A-Side, featuring both the brand new studio version and a superb live version recorded at London’s prestigious O2 Forum, Kentish Town. A brand new video will accompany the single too.

This studio re-recording of their iconic first album will reflect the current Gypsy Rock n Roll sound of The Quireboys, and prove to be powerful, inspirational and full of all the quality of a modern-day recording.

Over the next few days and weeks, we will be spreading the word once more about this stunning album, with the aim to get the lads into the charts where they deserve to be – with the aim to make the release hit the national top 10

This is a must for all Quireboys fans worldwide and will be available on CD & Vinyl, both on limited runs, with a new modern cover and a couple of live bonus tracks on the CD – “Man on the Loose” and “Mayfair” – while the Vinyl Collector’s version will be restricted to a run of 750 copies only in Blue Vinyl.

 

Pre Sales Here

www.offyerrocka.com
www.quireboys.com

 

The Quireboys set to release newly recorded classic debut album

The Quireboys set to release newly recorded classic debut album

The Quireboys set to release a Limited Run of a totally new Re-Recorded version of A Bit Of What You Fancy to mark the albums 30th Anniversary

 

We may be at home, it may be dark times, but that hard-working quartet are back in the studio re-recording their iconic first album with the current Gypsy Rock n Roll sound of The Quireboys. The new recording will prove to be powerful, inspirational and full of all the quality a modern-day recording can anticipate.

This is a must for all Quireboys fans worldwide and while this will be available on CD & Vinyl, both will be on limited runs, with a new modern cover and a couple of live bonus tracks on the CD.

The CD will feature 2 Live Bonus Tracks, “Man on the Loose” and “Mayfair” while the Vinyl Collector’s item will be restricted to a run of 750 copies only, in Blue Vinyl.

Both 30th Anniversary Collector’s items are on sale now Here…

The Quireboys will tour the UK and Europe Dec 20 / April 21 performing the whole album in its entirety. Dates will be announced soon.

Quireboys frontman Spike commented, “It’s where it all began, it was an incredible album that launched our careers, but the way we sound n play now doesn’t give it the justice it needs. Henceforth, it’s been a pleasure updating it to our modern day Gypsy Rock n Roll Sound. I’m sure everyone will enjoy this new version in all its glory, marking its 30th Anniversary.”

 

Diamond Dogs – ‘Recall Rock ‘n’ Roll And The Magic Soul’ (Wild Kingdom Records)

Diamond Dogs – ‘Recall Rock ‘n’ Roll And The Magic Soul’ (Wild Kingdom Records)

Following the recent news of an upcoming ‘best of’ package and vinyl re-issues of four classic albums, Sweden’s finest purveyors of glam slam boogie the Diamond Dogs are back with a new long-player of brand new music to whet the appetite.

It seems you can’t keep a good band down, and four years after they called it quits, following the tragic death of saxophonist Magic Gunnarsson, original members Sulo and keyboard player Henrik “Honk” Widen decided it was time to get the band back together. Joining the duo are long-serving guitarist Lars Karlsson, fellow guitarist Martin Thomander, bassist Stefan Bellnas and Thomas Broman on the drums.

While a revolving door of band members has come and gone over the years, the sound remains the same. Let’s just say, if you dig the cool as you like vintage rock ‘n’ roll of The Faces meets The Stones, then grab a Jack & Coke, drop the needle and sit back and enjoy!

 

Now, when I say new music, all is not quite as it seems. If you were to purchase this album on vinyl then you could say side A is Diamond Dogs originals; recalling their rock ‘n’ roll roots. And then side B is their own tribute to Soul legend Sam Cooke; six cover versions of classic cuts from the Soul singer, reinterpreted in their own classic style.

While their last few studio albums have been a bit patchy, this is a banger of an album from start to finish. Their trademark rock ‘n’ roll shuffles bring to mind a golden age of early 70’s British rock. Anyone from The Stones, Slade and Quo comes to mind at any given moment. You know the score.

 

Opening song ‘Recall Rock ‘n’ Roll’ sets the bar high from the off and sees singer Sulo in introspective mood as the band fire on all cylinders behind him. “Let’s turn back time and make it roll!” he suggests before blasting into a euphoric chorus. The likes of ‘Valentina (Queen Of Broken Hearts)’ and ‘Heavy Swing’ have that classic Sulo chorus refrains in abundance. High energy rock ‘n’ roll, with a tinkling of the ivories and key changes that takes it up nicely to the climax. No one does Mott meets The Faces better.

There’s a hint of sadness to the soulful balladry that ‘Singin’ With Elvis’ brings to the table. Sulo reminisces about times gone by and the ghosts of the past. “I walk down the street where we all used to meet, but it was all dark and quiet” he sings in an almost broken rasp. Swathes of Hammond organ and great, Stones inspired backing harmonies make this essential Dogs material.

The uber-cool ‘There Is A Fire Down There’ has a Black Crowes swagger, with trademark killer backing vocals and a wild n’ crazy slide guitar solo. No one does rock ‘n’ roll rapture quite like the Diamond Dogs do these days.

 

The album is split down the middle by ‘Soul Folks’, a re-recording of a Sulo original that first appeared on his album ‘Hear Me Out’. Sulo’s own tribute to his soul hero that actually comes across like an Exile-era Stones outtake. Cracking stuff indeed.

Now, the Sam Cooke side of things includes a bunch of guests. First up, we have Quireboys frontman Spike lending his gravelly tones to the good time rock ‘n’ roll of ‘Good Times’. Handclaps, sax and heavenly, female backing vocals bring the soul and help get the party started.

The good time boogie of ‘Don’t Fight it, Feel It’ and the 12 bar blues stomp of ‘Somebody Have Mercy’ are delivered in fine Diamond Dogs style, you wouldn’t even guess they were old Soul songs on first listen.

They breathe new life into ‘Keep Movin’ On’. Faster and more uplifting, that killer chorus introduces a song that sounds like it has always been in your head. Hellacopters main man Nicke Andersson adds his dulcet tones to this banger.

Thunder frontman Danny Bowes duets with Sulo on ‘Nothing Can Change This Love’. With the lyrical sentiment and the sparse musicianship, it retains the soulful feel of the original, but it’s given the Diamond Dogs treatment.  A rendition that sounds like it was recorded 50 years ago, not six months ago.

‘Sugar Dumpling’ closes the album and is my favourite of these cover versions. Featuring Swedish rapper Papa Dee, they take to another level entirely. To me, it comes on like The Dave Clarke Five meets The Archies, classic 60’s pop and a surprise finale. What a tune!

 

‘Recall Rock ‘n’ Roll And The Magic Soul’ will not only satisfy Diamond Dogs fan who have been craving more material, it will also remind those who forgot exactly why we missed them in the first place.

Ok, so it may not be an album full of original material. But as the title suggests, this new album is a throwback to the roots and the influences of what made Diamond Dogs one of Sweden’s greatest musical exports. And that is something we should all celebrate.

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Buy The Album Here

Author: Ben Hughes

The Quireboys, Nicotine Pretty – the Globe Cardiff 17.11.18

The Quireboys, Nicotine Pretty – the Globe Cardiff 17.11.18

Its been a while and a troubled beginning for nicotine Pretty but finally, they seem settled and have a brand new EP released and a decent support slot with the Quireboys in Cardiff. With a short space of time in which to impress the rather packed room the band get down to business and start kicking out the jams and it’s not long before the audience responded favorably to these south Wales hooligan rockers with their junked up take on punk rock n roll.  They hit the audience with the tunes from their EP and a cover of The Stones. They sounded tight and had a decent mix which is always a help for a band warming up any audience.  They have to be happy with how their songs went down tonight with a mainly middle-aged rock audience who to be fair looked like they loved it even Ginge knocking out his best Johnny Thunders solo during ‘Dead Flowers’ was well received and by the time they hit ‘Who’s Gonna Save My Soul?’ they could have gone on.

The Quireboys. I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve had the pleasure over the years going right back to their appearance in Swansea as the Queerboys I’ve seen them support Guns N Roses, Malmsteen, Aerosmith.  I’ve seen them take on the old school Reading Festival and win Donnington and smash it as well as dozens of times in venues big and small including the Dominion Theatre the Town and Country club and the last time they played the Globe there could only have been 40 people there which was a shock but tonight it must be fairly close to capacity which always baffles me how that happens but to be fair they always put in the miles and clearly aren’t afraid of hard work and with Spike, Guy, Keith and Paul being mainstays for quite some time they work well together and when they’re in the groove they are still a match for anyone on any stage.

spike declares them to play Rock and Roll and when they do they can be awesome and tonight early doors we get the classics ‘Misled’ and ‘There She Goes Again’ which take me right back to when going to a show was exciting and hearing a band rocking out was an absolute pleasure tonight was no difference but and not wanting to be critical I could do without the Blues numbers from ‘White Trash Blues’ whilst they were clearly going down well it’s just not my cup of tea at all and thankfully its ‘Mona Lisa Smiles’ that brings me back on track and ‘This Is Rock And Roll’ has the band purring once again as thankfully the blues workouts are put to bed.

‘One For The Road’ was dedicated to fallen bandmates Paul Hornby and Michael Lee which was a nice touch and from there on in it was The best of the Quireboys sounding as fresh as the carnation on Spikes Lapel. ‘Hey, You’, Sweet Mary Ann’ 7 O’Clock’ followed by a fantastic rendition of ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and then to bring the curtain down on a fine evening with a fantastic live band we were all invited to a ‘Sex Party’.

Another night spent in the company of a mighty fine band who continue to make records and stay relevant because Rock and Roll is timeless and like Spike says this is Rock and Roll and I certainly wouldn’t disagree with that.

 

Nicotine Pretty Picture kind permission from Kevin Conrad Pick Photographers

Buy The Quireboys Here

Author:Dom Daley