TOTP: You there, how come you're releasing the same song?
Ben: I don't know how this has come about. I don't think either of the bands knew about each other before the songs came about. We've only just started, and they're quite... old. But we'd never heard of them. I think it was just a bit of a coincidence.
Spike: I was in Germany and a friend of mine rang us up and said: 'You lot are on the telly in about 5 minutes...' and I didn't know what he was on about. So I turned on the telly and there's these three little lads who're doing this song. This has happened before. A band in Australia called the Choirboys, back when Sharon Osbourne was our manager but we sorted it out. But, these little lads have done this thing and they'll probably be No.1 for Christmas. We've spoken to the lawyers but y'know, what can we do? And it's for charity.

TOTP: Isn't this a bit dodgy?
Spike: Yeah well, we were already doing an album of covers, and we were going to release that song anyway, so when I heard these this little lads were releasing that song I said: 'You're kidding!' But the thing is, at the end of the day, we're not making any money out of this. It's purely for Cancer Research. So why not?
Ben: Well, I wasn't shocked about it. We're called the same thing but just spelt differently. It's strange. But I wasn't worried about it.

TOTP: It's confusing, no?
Ben: Well, it might be confusing. It might make people think they're just out to beat us. We didn't know about it, certainly not before releasing the single. I think it's really funny though. It should be funny to see who everyone likes better.
Spike: It's very strange for people to say to us, 'you're doing this', and it's not you doing it. I'm sure that some people will look at them and think: 'Bloody 'ell, the Quireboys are looking well these days!'

TOTP: Are you worried that you might get the wrong kind of fans coming to performances by mistake?
Spike: We already do [laughs]. Loads of old ladies.
Ben: Not really. We sing pop as well. I don't think they'd be really bothered about it. We do some songs in a pop way. We're not just a junior G4 or a mini Three Tenors.

TOTP: Why not collaborate?
Ben: One second. I'll ask my manager. [Goes and asks manager] Hello? We haven't been asked, but I think that would be cool to do that. I'd definitely do it.
Spike: Yeah, like a rock choral ballad. Let's see what happens, eh? Don't hold your breath.

TOTP: Could this be some kind of useful Choir/Quireboys time-travelling experience?
Spike: Yeah! They could take a look at us and know what they'll turn out like... if they're not careful.
Ben: Hmm... Maybe. It'd be cool if we could look like them. Although I've not actually seen them.

The Choirboys release 'Tears In Heaven' on 19th December. All proceeds go to the NSPCC

The Quireboys release 'Tears In Heaven' on 19th December. All proceeds go to the Cancer Research UK

Visit the Choirboys' official site

Visit the Quireboys' official site