County: Dublin

Decades Active: 1970s, 1980s

About The Spies

The Spies were a pop punk/new wave band from Howth originally known as The Dark. The Dark were originally influenced by The Doors, The Kinks, Dylan, Dr.Feelgood and B.B.King. They played Sundays at the Summit Inn in Howth in September/October 1979. The band recorded a 4-song demo in late '79 which led to an appearance on Our Times (RTE) in 1979 and attracted record company interest, including Automatic Records in London. They later changed their name to The Spies, and their music became more consciously new wave. Gerry Daly left in 1980 and was replaced by Stuart McMillan.

The Spies released just one single, 'Thinking About The Sun'. Alex McGrath left just before it was recorded and so Jack Dublin (of Rocky De Valera, Deaf Actor, In Tua Nua and a Howth local) plays bass on both sides. The record label, Phaeton Records, were keen to release a follow up single and a contract was signed for SPIN 4, with 'Saturdays' as the A-side and 'King And I' as the B. However the single never materialised.

Joey Barry was later in Above The Thunderclouds and Thee Amazing Colossal Men. Gerry Leonard was later in Above The Thunderclouds, Hinterland and went on to play guitar for David Bowie among others.