Spy vs. Spy (band)

v.Spy v.Spy
Background information
Also known asSpy v Spy
OriginGlebe, Australia
GenresPub rock
Years active1981–2003

v.Spy v.Spy, also known as Spy vs Spy, SPY v SPY is an Australian pub rock band from Sydney formed in 1981.[1] They became known for tackling political issues through their music, including racism, homelessness and contemporary drug culture.[1][2]

The band's initial line-up was the trio of Craig Bloxom on bass guitar/lead vocals, Cliff Grigg on drums/percussion and Michael Weiley on lead guitar/vocals.[1][3] v.Spy v.Spy's early music was indie rock, exemplified by their debut single "Do What You Say" on the independent Green label in April 1982.[1] They released an EP Four Fresh Lemons in August.[3] Their music became more straightforward hard rock for their pub audiences.[1][2] The band broke up in early 1983 when craig bloxom and sound engineer simon vidale left the band to join the NUMBERS only to reform mid-year when the NUMBERS project failed .[1][2] They were eventually signed to Midnight Oil's label Powderworks and managed by legendary Oils manager, Gary Morris.[1][2] Their first full-length album Harry's Reasons was released in March 1986 and produced by Leszek Karski.[1][4][5] They switched labels to WEA and had their highest charting success in February 1987 with their single "Don't Tear It Down" on the Australian singles chart and the associated album A.O. Mod. TV. Vers. peaked at No. 12 on the Australian albums chart.[6]

v.Spy v.Spy's follow-up album, Xenophobia (Why?) was released in March 1988 and peaked at No. 15 in Australia. It was produced by Karski[4] and Guy Gray and released by WEA in 14 countries.[1][3] Their 1989 album Trash the Planet peaked at No. 22 on the ARIA Charts.[7]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'v. Spy v. Spy'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d Nimmervoll, Ed. "Spy v Spy". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "Spy v Spy discography". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  4. ^ a b Magnus Holmgren (ed.). "Les Karski". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
  5. ^ "Leszek Karski". Music Producer Database. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
  7. ^ "V. Spy V. Spy discography". Australian Charts Portal. Retrieved 11 November 2008.