Spider (UK hard rock/NWOBHM band)

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. Spider released three albums, titled Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies (1982) Rough Justice (1984) and Raise the Banner (For Rock 'n' Roll) (1986). 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. 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. 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. They then went into the studio to begin recording their first album Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies, 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, 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. On 22 July 2022, it was announced on the band's official Facebook page that Colin Harkness had died at the age of 62. 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. Colin Harkness - lead vocals, guitar (died 2022) Dave "Sniffa" Bryce - guitar, backing vocals Brian Burrows - bass, backing vocals Rob E. Burrows - drums List of new wave of British heavy metal bands Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 336. ISBN 0-85112-656-1. "IronMaid's NWOBHM space: Spider - Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies (160kbps) - 1982". Nwobhmstuff.blogspot.com. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2014. "IronMaid's NWOBHM space: Spider - Rough Justice (192kbps) - 1984". Nwobhmstuff.blogspot.com. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2014. "IronMaid's NWOBHM space: Spider - Raise the Banner (320kbps) - 1986". Nwobhmstuff.blogspot.com. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2014. "Official Uriah Heep Homepage". Uriah Heep. Retrieved 25 July 2014. "Radio 1 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds". BBC. Retrieved 20 January 2026. "Reading Rock Festival 1982". Ukrockfestivals.com. Retrieved 25 July 2014. "SPIDER'S LAST HURRAH CANCELLED [...]". Facebook. Retrieved 23 March 2026. "[...] It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Spider band member COL HARKNESS [...]". Facebook. Retrieved 23 March 2026. "SPIDER songs and albums / full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2026. "SPIDER songs and albums / full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2026. SPIDER BOOGIE FANWAGON Spider Fan Site Classic Rock Magazine - Cult Heroes no. 32