Newcastle's Jonathan Gray, alias Spike, has come a long way since he went to London to become part of the 1980s rock band which went from Chorboys to Queerboys and, finally, The Quireboys.

He's survived being managed by Sharon Osbourne and seen the band dissolve and then reform in 2000.

The solo side of the singer produces this lighter Rod Stewart-like 14-tracker which harks back to his birthplace with a front cover shot of Spike sitting beside the Tyne's bridges.

Bravely, Spike includes Slade hit Everyday in his second solo studio release.