Newcastle’s musical journeyman Justin Ngariki has joined legendary Aussie band Spy V Spy.
The band is undertaking a national tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their landmark albums Harry’s Reasons and A.O. Mod. TV. Vers., both released in 1986.
The single from A.O. Mod. TV. Vers. was their breakthrough. Don’t Tear It Down, a protest against the government’s plan to demolish the inner-city squats the band was living in at the time, reached the Top 20 nationally.
To celebrate the anniversary, Spies bass player Craig ‘Bloxy’ Bloxom recruited some of the industry’s best players to deliver the powerhouse shows. Joining Bloxy is former Skyhooks/Angels guitarist Bob Spencer, vocalist Paul Green (who sang with a later Spy’s lineup) and our own Justin Ngariki on drums. Of course, Ngariki is no stranger to performing with legendary acts, having toured internationally with Rose Tattoo.
While the V Spy V Spy national tour is limited to capital cities, Novocastrians have the chance to catch Bloxy, Spencer and Ngariki all together at Tinno’s Guitar Fest and you can bet a Spy’s classic will be on the playlist.
Tinno’s Guitar Fest takes place at Flamingos Live in Lambton on Thursday, 17 September 2026, from 8.30pm to 11pm. Tickets are available now via humanitix.com.
