Quireboys live in Cardiff
Barfly Club, Cardiff – 15th June 2008
Originally scheduled for a couple of weeks earlier, publicised support bands “Diamond Dogs” and “Dan Baird’s Homemade Sin” were apparently unable to honour the rescheduled date meaning that survivor’s “Quireboys” had the opportunity to play an extended, near two hour set and showcase plenty of tunes from the recently released “Homewreckers And Heartbreakers” album, as well as delight the crowd with plenty of picks from the much loved “A Bit Of What You Fancy” début.
In fact every single song from that 1990 album, from second song in “Misled” through to the set closing “five-for” of “There She Goes Again“, “Hey You“, the harmonica drenched classic “7 O’ Clock“, hit ballad “I Don’t Love You Anymore” and “Sex Party” were greeted with a huge cheer and cue a mass sing-along that convinced me I’m not the only person who holds that album and this band in high regard.
In many ways, the cellar club venue was the perfect setting for Spike & Co.’s brand of bawdy, Faces style rock ‘n’ roll. Hot, sweaty and pretty much full the six piece line-up filled the small stage yet 
delivered one of the finest performances I can remember them playing. Twenty years ago I watched as this band grew from promising club act to Donington Monsters of Rock performers and although these days the expectations perhaps aren’t as high and indeed the band membership only boasts two of the same players in Spike and guitarist Guy Griffen, the show is every bit as enjoyable.
“Roses And Rings” and the country-fied “Whipping Boy” were a couple of welcome surprises perhaps shoe-horned in given the extra time allowances and the material previewed from the new album sounded more mature and world-weary but more than enough to encourage many (including me – review soon!) to get the new album there and then from the merchandise stand. “One For The Road” evoked memories of Slade, “I Love This Dirty Town” is just typical Quireboys fare with dual guitars and piano vying for attention, and the excellent “Late Night Saturday Call” found Spike at his strained, heartfelt best.
The other three releases were represented too. “The Finer Stuff” from “Well Oiled” rolling out an AC/DC style riff to good effect, “Tramps And Thieves” one of a couple of tracks from the much delayed second album and the title track of the comeback disc “This Is Rock ‘n Roll” proving itself to now be every bit a set-list essential than any of the big hits.
A superb rock ‘n’ roll show and the band gaining much kudos for actually caring and returning to South Wales soon after the original postponement. Spike apologised a few times for the problems that caused the initial cancellation but on the back of this performance he needn’t have bothered. An excellent gig and the promise of “see you in December” offering hope of another helping of proper bar-room rock before the year is out.
Set List : Don’t Bite The Hand / Misled / The Finer Stuff / I Love Dirty Town / Sweet Mary Anne / Tramps And Thieves / This Is Rock ‘n’ Roll / Roses And Rings / One For The Road / Whipping Boy / Mona Lisa Smiled / Late Night Saturday Call / There She Goes Again / Hey You / Seven O’ Clock / I Don’t Love You Anymore / Sex Party
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BL
Pictures courtesy of Peter Saunders
