SPY v SPY
Primarily starting out as the voice of the homeless squatters of early eighties Sydney SPY v SPY spoke for everyone who felt "under the thumb of the system", they told true stories of the common struggle that polite Australia didn't necessarily want to hear.
A formidable live act - the band cut its teeth in the early days opening for groups such as Midnight Oil, INXS, Hoodoo Gurus, Split Enz, the Models and Men At Work as well as gracing the stage with international artists U2, David Bowie, Simple Minds and The Clash.
Throughout the 80's the band released landmark recordings Meet Us Inside, Harry's Reasons, AO Mod TV Vers., Xenophobia[Why?], and Trash The Planet to critical acclaim.
In 2018 founding guitarist Michael Weiley reunited with original drummer Cliff Grigg.
Tragically Michael passed away shortly thereafter.
Move forward to 2024 and the band perform the songs as authentically and true to the original sounds that is SPY v SPY.
SPY v SPY is
CLIFF GRIGG - drums/vocals
PAUL COXON - bass/vocals
DAVE ROMEO - guitar/vocals
Cliff Grigg is a founding member, drummer, songwriter & vocalist of
Aussie rock icons Spy v Spy having toured nationally &
internationally with acts such as INXS, Angels, Midnight Oil, The Clash, David Bowie, U2 and Simple Minds.
His song writing & drumming style can be heard on countless classic rock tracks Don’t Tear It Down, Credit Cards, One Of A Kind, AO MOD, Clarity Of Mind and many more.
Cliff brings an enormous amount of explosive energy, experience &
enthusiasm to the band which reflects in the live shows that will leave you breathless.
Paul Coxon
Born into a family full of musicians, Paul began his musical journey at the age of eight years old when his father put a band together made up of kids from the neighbourhood including Paul along side his brother Brett.
Before long they were playing the shopping centre circuit most Thursday nights and Saturday mornings before moving on to school dances then pubs and clubs.
When his Dad was dishing out the instruments Paul was allocated the bass guitar and at the time didn’t enjoy it very much, thinking it was not very cool at all. That was until he saw a band on countdown one Sunday evening. This was the moment that would change his opinion on the bass, and this was the point when he knew exactly what he wanted to do. The band was “𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬,” and the song was “𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗔 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱”. His love for the Spy’s music continued into his high-school years through to this day, forming the soundtrack to his youth and many a road trip searching for waves.
𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝘅𝗼𝗺 was his musical hero and inspiration, he believes that the 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴 and 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝘅𝗼𝗺 rhythm section was the best to come out of Australia.
Paul also believes that if he hadn’t discovered the music of 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 his musical career would have ended a long time ago.
Paul has messed around in a few different bands over the years, both covers and originals with the highlight being his band 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 who were very popular up and down the East coast of Australia in the early 90’s. Touring with national and international acts, and doing stand-alone shows of their own, 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 built a very strong and loyal underground following.
David Romeo, guitarist in “Cliff Grigg’s 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬” was also in 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁. Paul and David would often jam 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 songs in the 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 rehearsal room.
In February 2023 Paul was contacted by the management of 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴’s then line up of 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 and was asked if it was possible that he could learn a set of 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 songs (play and sing) for a gig that the band had committed to but could not for-fill.
Paul accepted the challenge and joined his long time friend Paul Elliott (who was also filling in for the 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 at the time) and 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴 and performed their first show two weeks later.
For the first time in a long time, 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 music was being played as a three piece. Paul says it is a pinch yourself moment every time he is making music with Cliff and is thankful for the opportunity.
He has also made it very clear that if 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝘅𝗼𝗺 ever tapped him on the shoulder and wanted to take his place he would be happy to step aside and be the first to welcome him. In the meantime he will continue to enjoy playing the music of 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 with Cliff and David and continue to try to make it sound as it did back in '86 as close as they possibly can and maybe slip in some sneaky new tunes along the way.
Paul hopes to catch you soon at a 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴’s 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 show.
Dave Romeo burst onto the scene in the early 90s with Newcastle and East Coast Cult band FACEplant alongside singer / bassist, Paul Coxon.
He then joined Sydney powerhouse band The Hanging Tree with Lucius Borich and Flynn Gower from Cog. Both groups had local and national success.
He has also entered the music theatre realm and played lead guitar roles in musicals, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Bye Bye Birdie and Lead Roles in Rock Of Ages.
Complimented by his peers and fans alike due to his attention to detail to emulate Michael Weiley's signature playing style and tone. He is honoured to part of the band, its legacy and its future.
𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘃 𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀:
"Harry Reasons"
"Credit Cards"
"What the Future Holds"
MANAGEMENT
Marcus D. Wright - Manager
(e): marcus@bigapachee.com.au
BOOKINGS
Ben Sarros - Permier Artists
(e): bens@premierartists.com.au
