SPEAR OF DESTINY - Religion

Went to the local newsagents the other day for a packet of fags and came back with this as well; Spear of Destiny’s 1997 album Religion. I found it nestling next to compilations of Irish Folk Songs, The Best Of Tammy Wynette and Aled Jones Christmas Songs. You know the score, those sort of things shops have near the till, so when yer queuing up, they hope you’ll buy something else as well as what you originally went in the shop for…. SUCKERED! I fell for it, never mind cos it was well worth the £2.99 I paid for it. The fags I bought were more expensive and have long been smoked, but I’ve listened to this quite a few times since I purchased it. It finds the band in a stripped down and anthemic rock mode, good stuff and far better for you than smoking.

THEATRE OF HATE - The Hop (second hand 7" vinyl rip)

Dragged myself away from the computer today, for a bit of retail therapy down at the local Oxfam shop, while looking through their 7 inch vinyl selection, amongst the usual charity shop shite I came across this , and as my original copy had long gone, lost, sold or swapped, I thought 99p bargain! I’ll have that. The Hop, not included on their Westworld album, even though the b side Conquistador is. Not their best offering, but a good single all the same, and you don’t even have to leave you computer to get hold of it, all you have to do is click if you wanna hear about the “Eighties Revolutionary Hop” and while yer listening to it lets start thinking about the noughties one.

THEATRE OF HATE - Live @ Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage 18/1/81

This is the last recording from the two gigs that Theatre Of Hate played in Stevenage. Not much that I can really say about Kirk and his boys that I haven't said in previous posts, but talking of Boys I don't think I mentioned that Boy George was in attendance at one of the gigs, not that I knew who he was at the time, he was just a bloke in make up. Talking of make up, if you take a trip to Punks On Postcards there's a scan of a review from March 1981 in Sounds of He Who Dares Wins, a right made up hatchet job piece of journalism. Anyway here's some more live Hate for yer...Click!

THE PACK - Dead Ronin

From outta Brixton in 1979 came The Pack, fronted by the soon to be iconic 80's positive punk pinup Kirk Brandon. Theatre Of Hate were really a more finely tuned and refined version of Kirks first band, with added sax appeal. Included in these 12 tracks is an early version of the classic track Legion. Went to see The Pack live once, I'd love to be able to tell you all about it, but unfortunately I can't 'cos the venue the local youth club Bowes Lyon House wouldn't let me in because get this; I was too young, and there was a bar. The problem I had with this was that I'd previously seen Chron Gen there twice (or Chronic Generation, as they were then called) and it wasn't a problem then (the bar was separate and you needed ID to get in there) neither was it a problem with any other gigs I went to there. (Crass, Theatre Of Hate and tons of others) I still occasionally see the Youth Worker that refused me entrance. She hasn't changed in the past 27 years; still looks like a miserable sour faced cow. Not that I'm still bitter about it, I have 'moved on', talking of which I'm sure you'd rather be listening to The Pack rather than hearing about my memories of not seeing 'em live. Well here yer go...CLICK!, CLICK!, CLICK!

THEATRE OF HATE - Live @ Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage 9/11/1980

Right then folks. First off this post hasn't gone entirely to plan. Due to a technical difficulty I've had to do this as one whole MP3, (not individual tracks) Was gonna pull the post until I'd sorted the problem. Worked fine last time I used software, just not today. But after listening to it I thought, nah you guys need to hear this, however, whatever not when ever. It's an audience recording be warned, but it's a document of an early Theatre Of Hate gig, and worth a listen. As for the gig, well... I shall hand you over to a 16 year old me writing a review for the fanzine; Verbal Abuse that me and my mate, Del produced...."When Theatre Of Hate came on, they got a mixed reaction from the crowd the rockabilly's certainly enjoyed them. I only remember a couple of their songs 'Legion' and 'Original Sin' (their new single) they use the saxophone well and have an original sound. Also there was no trouble which made the gig even more enjoyable."....Listening to the recording now it sounds wild, feral and animal. I've also got a recording of the second time they played in '81. I'll post that soon, when I've sorted out the issues. Any way enough waffle here's Theatre Of Hate live in 1980.

'HERE WE STAND THE JUDGE AND JURY, DEAF AND BLIND AND FULL OF FURY'

Probably one of the most important band of the early 80's, along with Crass, in my mind anyway. THEATRE OF HATE. Saw them live a couple of times in Stevenage during 1980 and 1981, was hoping to post a tape of these shows, but sound aint the best, needs a bit of work. So instead here's a recording from The Lyceum, London (14/6/81) Theatre of Hate sounded like nothing that had been before them, they married that post punk Joy Division/Gang of Four sound with the rebel stance of The Clash and came out with their own unique style'n'sound. Pounding drums and bass, discordant guitars, stretched out saxophone solos, topped off with the high pitched warbling of Kirk Brandon and his soon to become fashionable quiff. Awesome. Lyrically they touched on the sins of the Catholic Church, Cold War politics and historical figures. 'Legion' remains one of my favourite songs ever! Theatre Of Hate were full of fury, but certainly not deaf, dumb or blind and neither were the fans to whom they offered hope, freedom and community in an age of Thatcherite politics, that were destroying everything. Westworld, their album is a landmark. Minimal, atmospheric, bleak and brooding yet uplifting. A classic! It also showcased Mick Jones(The Clash) production techniques, used to great effect on the first Big Audio Dynamite L.P and also his later work with The Libertines and Babyshambles. Anyway enough of my ramblings here is: Love is a Ghost Live at The Lyceum 1981 - http://www.sendspace.com/file/3lej44