Released 21 March 1988 Producer Les Karski, Guy Gray Artist Spy vs Spy Genre Rock music | Length 44:44 Xenophobia (Why?)
1988 Trash the Planet
1989 Release date 21 March 1988 | |
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Recorded November/December 1987
Rhinoceros Studios, Sydney Label Warner Music International People also search for A.O. Mod. TV. Vers., Spy File | ||
Xenophobia (Why?) is the third studio album by Australian rock band Spy vs Spy, it was produced by Les Karski (Boys Next Door, Midnight Oil, Nauts) and Guy Gray, and released through WEA on 21 March 1988. For this album Spy vs Spy were known as v. Spy v. Spy, and the line-up was the original trio Craig Bloxom on bass guitar/lead vocals, Cliff Grigg on drums/percussion and Mike Weiley on lead guitar/vocals.
Contents
After having toured for A.O. Mod. TV. Vers., WEA demanded another album immediately, so Xenophobia (Why?) was written and recorded in just six weeks, the title was inspired by race issues surfacing in the lead-up to Australia's Bicentennial year. The album peaked at #15 on the Kent Music Report for the Australian albums chart, and released in 14 countries. It provided three singles, "(Forget about the) Working Week", "Clarity of Mind" and "Waiting". None of the singles peaked in the Top 40 of the Kent Music Report for the Australian singles charts.
Background
Spy vs Spy had formed in 1981 in Sydney as a ska/pub rock band. Their line-up was the trio Craig Bloxom on bass guitar/lead vocals, Cliff Grigg on drums/percussion and Mike Weiley on lead guitar/vocals. They became known for tackling political issues including racism, homelessness and contemporary drug culture. By 1984 they were using the name v. Spy v. Spy to avoid legal problems with Mad magazine. They were signed to Midnight Oil's label Powderworks and managed by Oils manager, Gary Morris. Their first two full-length albums Harry's Reasons and A.O. Mod. TV. Vers. were produced by Leszek Karski.
Xenophobia (Why?) was written and recorded in just six weeks, it was produced by Karski, and Guy Gray and released by WEA on 21 March 1988. It provided three singles - "(Forget about the) Working Week", "Clarity of Mind" and "Waiting". None of the singles peaked in the Top 40 of the Kent Music Report for the Australian singles charts. Aside from managing, Morris (as G Vasicek) was also co-writer for many of their tracks. Next album, Trash the Planet, was recorded in UK, and released in November 1989.
Track listing
All songs written by Craig Bloxom, Michael Weiley, Cliff Grigg and G Vasicek (aka Gary Morris).
Personnel
v. Spy v. Spy members
Recording details
Songs
1Test of Time4:11
2Golden Mile3:52
3Free the Future3:47