Xenophobia (Why?)

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)[1][2][3] and Guy Gray, and released through WEA on 21 March 1988.[1][4] 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.[1][4]

Xenophobia (Why?)
Studio album by
Spy vs. Spy
Released21 March 1988
RecordedNovember/December 1987
Rhinoceros Studios, Sydney
Genrerock
Length44:44
LabelWEA
ProducerLes Karski, Guy Gray
Spy vs. Spy chronology
A.O. Mod. TV. Vers.
(1986)		 Xenophobia (Why?)
(1988)		 Trash the Planet
(1989)
Singles from Xenophobia (Why?)
  1. "Forget about the Working Week"
    Released: December 1987
  2. "Clarity of Mind"
    Released: May 1988
  3. "Waiting"
    Released: August 1988

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.[1][5] The album peaked at No. 15 on the Kent Music Report for the Australian albums chart,[6] and released in 14 countries.[1][4] It provided three singles, "(Forget about the) Working Week", "Clarity of Mind" and "Waiting".[1][5][6] None of the singles peaked in the Top 40 of the Kent Music Report for the Australian singles charts.[6]

Background

Spy vs Spy had formed in 1981 in Sydney as a ska/pub rock band.[1] 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.[1][4] They became known for tackling political issues including racism, homelessness and contemporary drug culture.[1][5] By 1984 they were using the name v. Spy v. Spy to avoid legal problems with Mad magazine.[1][5] They were signed to Midnight Oil's label Powderworks and managed by Oils manager, Gary Morris.[1][5] Their first two full-length albums Harry's Reasons and A.O. Mod. TV. Vers. were produced by Leszek Karski.[1][2]

Xenophobia (Why?) was written and recorded in just six weeks, it was produced by Karski,[2] and Guy Gray and released by WEA on 21 March 1988.[4][6] It provided three singles – "(Forget about the) Working Week", "Clarity of Mind" and "Waiting".[1][5] None of the singles peaked in the Top 40 of the Kent Music Report for the Australian singles charts.[6] Aside from managing, Morris (as G Vasicek) was also co-writer for many of their tracks.[7] Next album, Trash the Planet, was recorded in UK, and released in November 1989.[1][4]

Track listing

All songs written by Craig Bloxom, Michael Weiley, Cliff Grigg and G Vasicek (aka Gary Morris).[7]

No.TitleLength
1."Test of time"4:11
2."The Golden Mile"3:52
3."Free the Future"3:46
4."Waiting"3:20
5."Working Week"4:28
6."A.O Mod"3:34
7."Clarity of Mind"3:48
8."Soldiers"3:42
9."Mingle 'n' Mix"3:24
10."Back on the Track"5:41
11."Relax"4:58

Chart performance
Country Provider(s) Peak position[6]
Australia ARIA 15

Release history
Country Date Label Format Catalogue #
Australia 21 March 1988 WEA LP #255349-2

Personnel

v. Spy v. Spy members

  • Craig Bloxom – bass guitar, vocals
  • Cliff Grigg – drums, percussion
  • Michael Weiley – lead guitar

Recording details

  • Producer – Guy Gray, Leszek Karski
  • Engineer – Gray
  • Studio – Rhinoceros Studios, Sydney

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'v. Spy v. Spy'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  2. Holmgren, Magnus. "Les Karski". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  3. "Leszek Karski". Music Producer Database. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
  4. Holmgren, Magnus; Cuffe, Mark. "Spy v Spy". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  5. Nimmervoll, Ed. "Spy v Spy". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. "Australasian Performing Right Association". APRA. Retrieved 14 November 2008. NOTE: Requires user to input track title e.g. TEST OF TIME
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