"Don't you wonder why? They're tearing all the the old houses down Can't they see? That they're the best places around Don't tear it down There's life in it yet..."
First released in 1986, the V Spy V Spy hit Don't Tear It Down was written about the then government's bid to tear down a number of iconic terrace houses lining the Sydney suburb of Glebe. They wanted to build a freeway.
At the time, front man Michael Weiley and a very green V Spy V Spy were squatting in the abandoned terraces, living rent free and trying to make it as a band.
As residents battled the government, trying to protect the rich heritage of the buildings, an artistic take on the impending loss of history soon became Don't Tear It Down, a song that would embed itself in Australia's own history of pub rock.
30 years later, the freeway remains unbuilt. V Spy V Spy is a household name.
And a song written about protecting and appreciating our history once again begins to resonate, as live music venues across the state close down, making way for residential development.
"Don't you know that History
Is written there deep in the walls
But the march of progress
Just wants to pour concrete over us all..."
Off the back of a tour with The Radiators and ahead of the band's upcoming show at Shoal Bay Country Club on Saturday 7 April, Michael says he too can see the relevance of the song in today's world, and how it resonates with current challenges faced by musicians and live music venue owners.
"Many of our live music venues are closing," he said.
"I heard recently The Basement in Sydney, a jazz venue near the Opera House, is closing down and sometimes these things happen.
"But if we can protect our heritage buildings for the future, then I think it's worth holding on to them rather than just tearing them down.
"We need to hold on to what we've got for the generations to come so they can see the history.
"It's how we learn about things, and how we learn about ourselves."