Bourbonese Qualk were an experimental music group from England who where active from 1979 until 2003. The group were always obsessively and uncompromisingly focused on controlling their work - they ran their own record label, recording studio, tour organization and music venue (the legendary Ambulance Station) -- they refused to integrate into the commercial music racket turning down publishing deals from major labels -- stubbornly opting for total independence. Bourbonese Qualk were also known for their political activism which was formed in the crucible of the 1980s Britain: The Miner's Strike, Falklands/Malvinas war, Anti-fascism, Thatcherism, Moneterism, squatting/housing, local government corruption, anti-capitalism, and Anarchism -- which was further re-enforced by touring Europe and meeting like-minded groups and organizations.

In 1984, Bourbonese Qualk occupied a large empty building on the Old Kent Road in South London which they turned into a base for their activities and a co-operative for artists, musicians and writers as well as a center for radical political activism -- specifically as a coordinating center for the 'Stop The City' anti-capitalist riots of 1984-1986. They never recorded in a 'proper' studio (not that they could ever afford to), choosing instead to work with their own extremely basic equipment (at a time when home studios were very unusual which now, ironically, is in vogue. If Bourbonese Qualk have a legacy, it is that 'culture' should be reclaimed, re-defined and owned by the people, wherever they are, however small and not by the state or the market and that 'culture' is a vital vehicle for debate and radical change. The Spike was the band's third album, and originally came out in 1985 in Germany on the Dossier label. It was recorded while the group were involved in organizing the Berlin Atonal festival. This first ever CD edition has bonus tracks not on the original vinyl LP and was remastered."