Spider (British band)
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Spider | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Wirral, England |
| Genres | Boogie rock, hard rock |
| Years active | 1976–1986 |
| Labels | RCA, A&M, Pye |
| Past members | Dave "Sniffa" Bryce (guitar) Colin Harkness (vocals) Brian Burrows (bass Rob E Burrows (drums) |
Spider were a British hard rock band formed in Wirral in 1976 who were part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM). The band were often compared to Status Quo for their upbeat boogie rock sound.[1] Spider released three albums, titled Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies (1982)[2] Rough Justice (1984)[3] and Raise the Banner (For Rock 'n' Roll) (1986).[4]
Spider formed in 1976, consisting of four young men from Wallasey, including brothers Brian and Rob Burrows, none of whom had played in bands before.
After the release of their sophomore single "Children of the Street" on the independent label Alien Records, Spider were playing an average of 20 shows a month, which included a support slot on the Uriah Heep 1980 Winter Tour.[5]
1982 proved to be the band's most commercially successful year, following music industry buzz generated when BBC Radio 1 commissioned them to perform on Friday Rock Show the previous year.[6] The show's producer, Tony Wilson, introduced them to Maggi Farren, who set up a recording deal with Creole Records, as well as getting the band a support slot on Slade's 1981 winter tour.
Spider released the single "Talkin' 'bout Rock 'n' Roll" with Creole, which featured as part of BBC Radio 1's playlist.[6] They then went into the studio to begin recording their first album Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies,[2] to be released on the Creole label also. However RCA, who had made a late bid for the band, and after negotiations, Spider signed a six-year recording contract with the record label.
1982 continued with Spider playing consistently sold out shows at the Marquee Club on a monthly basis, as well as supporting Alice Cooper on the British leg of his Special Forces Tour, playing at the Reading Festival on Sunday 29 August 1982,[7] as well as securing a support slot on a much-anticipated Gillan tour, which coincided with the release of their first album, Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies.
The band released two more albums, 1984's Rough Justice, and 1986's Raise the Banner (For Rock 'n' Roll) prior to their split in 1986.
The band had planned and announced a reunion in 2016, but this was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.[8]
On 22 July 2022, it was announced on the band's official Facebook page that Colin Harkness had died at the age of 62.[9]
Dave Bryce, guitarist, currently plays with the London-based rock band A.W.O.L., who are named after the opening track on Spider's debut album, Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies.
Band members
- Colin Harkness - lead vocals, guitar (died 2022)
- Dave "Sniffa" Bryce - guitar, backing vocals
- Brian Burrows - bass, backing vocals
- Rob E. Burrows - drums
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK[10] | |||
| 1982 | Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies | 75 | 12" vinyl |
| 1984 | Rough Justice | 96 | 12" vinyl |
| 1986 | Raise the Banner (For Rock 'n' Roll) | - | 12" vinyl |
| 2007 | Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies | - | CD |
| Rough Justice | - | CD | |
| 2011 | The Singles Collection | - | CD box set |
| 2012 | The Complete Anthology | - | CD box set |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK[11] | ||
| 1977 | "Back to the Wall" | - |
| 1980 | "Children of the Street" | - |
| 1980 | "College Luv" | - |
| 1981 | "All the Time" | - |
| 1982 | "Talkin' 'Bout Rock 'n' Roll" | - |
| 1982 | "Rock 'n' Roll Forever Will Last" | - |
| 1982 | "Amazing Grace Medley" (promo) | - |
| 1983 | "Why D'Ya Lie to Me" | 65 |
| 1984 | "Here We Go Rock 'n' Roll" | 57 |
| 1984 | "Breakaway" | 92 |
| 1986 | "Gimme Gimme It All" | 96 |
