RSPYS - Unity Gain album review

RSPYS – Unity Gain album review

So you might ask who are RSPYS (short for Reggae SPYS)? Well back in the 1981 v.Spy v.Spy also known as Spy vs Spy formed in Sydney Australia playing a mix of pub rock, punk and ska. 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. Definitely one of those bands I wish I had seen live in the 80s, but alas never got the opportunity. The band became prominent on the pub rock scene, performing high energy songs dealing with issues such as racism of any kind (particularly that against Indigenous Australians), drug addiction, homelessness, homophobia, sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence. The albums went platinum and the singles often featured in the Australian top 10. Gregg quit the band in 1991 and the remaining two members recruited a new drummer. Bloxy played his final gig with v.Spy vs v.Spy in 2003 to take up a new career as a professional chef which left Weiley to carry the .Spy v.Spy banner which he did with some success playing quite often in South America until his unfortunate death from cancer in 2018. Shortly before his death he started working with Grigg again who went on to form Spy V Spy.

Bloxy explains below how RSPYS came to be formed.

v.Spy v.Spy clearly had some cracking albums and singles but how does the new Unity Gain album sound with a reggae reinterpretation of these classics? The album features 16 old tracks and one brand spanking new track RUOK? It seems a natural way to make songs in a reggae style as there was always elements of ska and reggae in the mix of the original songs. These new versions not only keep the spirit of the old songs alive for old fans but bring new life to them, with the splash of mongrel reggae magic which will help them reach a new audience as well giving new enjoyment to existing fans. Stand out tracks are Don’t Tear It Down which is every bit as classy as the original, tight and fits like a glove! Clarity of Mind, Working Week, RUOK? the sound of summer and another hit! Peace And Quiet, One of A Kind, Sallie Anne, Credit Cards, Hardtimes, All Over the World, Harry’s Reasons, Trash The Planet, Don’t Fall Asleep At The Wheel – a fantastic tribute to Mike Weiley which will become a great live favourite just like AO Mod – Epic! , and storming live versions of Dead Girls and AO Mod TV vers. What a great release which will add bounce to your step when you listen to it. An essential release for those into punk/reggae/new wave fusion! I hope this leads to a new interest in these great songs and they should be playing at alternative, punk, reggae festivals everywhere and not just in Australia. I was surprised how good the immersion of these classics in reggae is. So what you waiting for the album is released later this month as a digital and a CD release . For you lucky people down under you can also catch the guys ripping it up across Australia in Oct/ Nov/Dec as they head out on tour 😉