[2] Jones co-wrote their debut single, "I Think You're Cute", with their bass guitarist and lead vocalist, Roddy Rayda, which was issued in October.

[6] In August that year Mushroom Records issued their debut album, Highlights of a Dangerous Life, with Ross Wilson producing (Skyhooks, Company Caine, Mondo Rock).

[8][9] Steven Corby of The Canberra Times described Beasts of Bourbon in August 1990 as "a mutation of rock 'n roll, some blues, jazz, country, and a cornucopia of 20th century music as well as fartin' and thumpin', sexy girls, and ladies of the night".

[10] Other groups Jones worked with include Olympic Sideburns (1983),[11] Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls (1985),[12] Legendary Stardust Cowboys (1986), The Rock Party (1986), The Butcher Shop (1988–93), Minced Meat (1989), Hell to Pay (1990–92),[13] Chris Bailey and The General Dog (1992),[14] Maurice Frawley and The Working Class Ringos (1993–2000),[15] Sacred Cowboys (1994–95),[16] Paul Kelly Band (1996, 1998, 2001–02)[12] and Singers for the Red Black and Gold (1997).

[2] The track had been written and first recorded by Minced Meat, a duo of Jones and Perkins, back in 1989; it was later re-recorded by Beasts of Bourbon.

[21] Nimmervoll declared it was Album of the Week: "he's comfortable with the sound of his voice ... You can feel the smoky bar rooms this music was born in.

[21][23] The Barman found the tracks had "simple, but effective, rock tuneage that push the edges in all sorts of little ways and exhibit not an ounce of fat".

[21] Cosmik Debris Magazine's John Sekerka described Jones as one who "knows how to confuse, confound, amuse and delight" with his "various catchy melodies with provocative words, culminating in stupefying songs you'll be hard pressed not to hum".

[21][25] Nimmervoll described Fait Accompli being "filled with the growling impatient restless menace real rock and roll is made of" and with Jones fronting three groups "[he's] in the spotlight, hat on head, cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, guitar in hand, telling you how life is or how he wants to imagine it.

[21] Sleazegrinder's reviewer declared that Jones "writes and plays every lick, every lyric from the bottom of his soul, you can always feel it when someone spills their guts, means every bit of it, when they've not only written some tunes, but lived 'em, too.

[28] The Age's Patrick Donovan opined that it showed his "many moods and styles, from snarling, swampy guitar slinger to tender balladeer, and features his many incarnations".

[28] The Barman described the various line ups as "a star-studded list of drop-ins, drop-outs and dropkicks to be sure, but the real star is Spencer hisself".

[29] The Age's Andrew Stafford cited Jones remembering Rilen "I was playing in Hell to Pay and things started getting messy.

[21] During 2008 Jones performed with a revised line up of the Escape Committee – Cattanach was joined by John Nolan on guitar (ex-Bored!, Hoss, Powder Monkeys); Hamish Marr on keyboards and backing vocals; and Cal McAlpine on drums (ex-The Chosen Few).

[21][30] I-Bar's Simon Li noted that it "enhances his reputation ... as a true National Living Treasure ... [it] features nine classic songs for the world weary and downtrodden, drawn mostly from his Spooky Records catalogue".

[21] While fellow reviewer at the website, The Barman felt it is "[r]aucously rude and liver than your great grandfather will ever be, this bang-up bag of some of Spencer's best-loved tunes dangerously hits the spot – like petrol poured on a barbecue.

[21] That year Jones also produced and played guitar on the self titled debut album by young Melbourne singer/songwriter Jules Sheldon.