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Post by Lord Emsworth on Jul 30, 2020 12:05:08 GMT
I was mad on The Pack back in the day, they took the punk rock energy in a new and interesting direction Did you feel as passionate about Theatre of Hate? And what about Spear of Destiny? |
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Post by andyloneshark on Aug 1, 2020 11:27:06 GMT
i heard Theatre Of Hate before The Pack... who then got some attention and demos released retrospectively.
The Pack never really toured, where as Theatre Of Hate did.
Early Spear Of Destiny songs, were actually Theatre Of Hate songs that didn't get released under that name.
i always wondered why Kirk & Stan split TOH just as they were on the cusp of crossing over.
To my ears, all 3 bands are worthy of hearing, but later Spear Of Destiny albums are way too polished.
I think Kirk was getting a bit fed up with the macho chicken dancers at their gigs too.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 1, 2020 14:24:38 GMT
...later Spear Of Destiny albums are way too polished. I think Kirk was getting a bit fed up with the macho chicken dancers at their gigs too. I am a fan of all of it and agree it was getting quite polished towards the end I think he always genuinely thought he could cross over to a more mainstream audience like, say, Echo and the Bunnymen or even U2 |
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Post by andyloneshark on Aug 1, 2020 16:49:16 GMT
This album, that has been released before with different artwork, includes many songs that would end up of the first Spear Of Destiny album " Grapes Of Wrath"  |
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Post by zeopold on Aug 2, 2020 18:45:06 GMT
I was mad on The Pack back in the day, they took the punk rock energy in a new and interesting direction Did you feel as passionate about Theatre of Hate? And what about Spear of Destiny? I followed TOH from their first tour onwards and I thought they were a step forward in terms of musical development. Their stuff isn't that easy to listen to nowadays, but they were highly influential in that post-punk, pre-goth period when music started getting interesting. I saw Spear at their first show (which also happened to be Big Country's first too) at Brixton Ace and on several other occasions. It was clear Kirk was making a bid for the mainstream, and their stuff was more accessible. Much respect to Kirk as an artist, he was still plodding the boards recently... I saw him do an acoustic show in my home town and his voice is still in good shape, great raconteur, too. I'd have to say for sheer impact the Pack are my favourite. I remember seeing them for the first time back in 79 at a show in Deptford (organised by Punk 77's Norm Fasey) and they did this one. I was utterly gobsmacked and went straight out and bought it the next day. |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 2, 2020 19:34:18 GMT
Very interesting
Thanks Zeo - I enjoyed reading that
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Post by zeopold on Aug 2, 2020 22:10:03 GMT
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Post by andyloneshark on Aug 4, 2020 14:07:21 GMT
The Salford Sessions CD/DVD is a MUST for any fan of The Pack  Attachments:
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 4, 2020 14:47:28 GMT
That's Zeo's birthday present sorted
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Post by andyloneshark on Aug 4, 2020 15:21:21 GMT
...Only small size shirts left in the bundle package, so Zeo will have to lay off the pies for a bit, if you do.
Tracklisting is:
Pack of Lies
St Theresa
Thalidomide
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Death to Life
Abattoir
King of Kings
No. 12
The Heathen
Brave New Soldiers
Legion
Vauxhall Savage
Machineworld
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 4, 2020 15:50:56 GMT
...Only small size shirts left in the bundle package, so Zeo will have to lay off the pies for a bit, if you do. He like s snug fit Shows off his ripped torso No point all thouse hours in the gym if you can't flaunt it eh Zeo? |
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Post by zeopold on Aug 4, 2020 18:52:05 GMT
...Only small size shirts left in the bundle package, so Zeo will have to lay off the pies for a bit, if you do. He like s snug fit Shows off his ripped torso The only thing that would be ripped in this scenario would be the T-Shirt, around the midriff  |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Oct 27, 2020 10:42:09 GMT
Spear Of Destiny: World Service @35 (Eastersnow Recordings)
Released on 26th October 2020 Interesting review at Louder Than War.... Kirk was never happy with Rusty Egan's production and for this 35 year edition the opportunity arose to re-work the album
According to Phil Newall.... The first difference being the running order, “World Service” a track many consider to be the bands finest moment opens proceedings. I was able to speak to Kirk Brandon about this shuffling of the material who described the entire recording as “An organic thing as we recorded it” before adding “Hoping it gives people the lift that it gives me”.
The track literally sparkles, the delicately nuanced piano motif leading us in, Brandon’s distinct voice, a voice that has matured yet retained all its strength, as he soars into “I hear music” a cacophony of crashing drums and guitars join the fray, a joyous celebration of a band at the top of their game; the track has real energy, a sense of vitality enhanced by the elegant production as it ascends on that meaty sax.
Similarly with “Cole Younger” the excess flourishes have been stripped away allowing the song to stand on its own merits, by removing the bombast associated with the original release the song has filled its widescreen potential, the guitars punch in all the right places, Brandon sings with the experience of a seasoned performer.
“I Can See” now has real bite, that opening guitar riff is savage, perfectly complimenting the huge drum sound as the song is propelled along by electric piano as opposed to the messy squelchy synths of the original.
“Come Back” retains its reggae vibe though it is much more subtle, its far from my preferred track, the essence of the song structure is entrenched in the mid-80’s, yet this new recording has added a certain liveliness from which it benefits; similarly original opener “Rocket Ship” – another track bogged down in 80’s sheen, once again that gloss has been dispensed with, the track retains its mid-pace tempo, yet the guitars have been (rightly) turned up, so what we now get is an anthemic sax led rabble rouser perfect for the chorus of “We’re nothing special, nothing at all / I want to love you, my whole life through”.
“Mikey” (stemming from Brandon’s observations of the Falklands conflict) has been re-worked with a tin whistle, providing an Irish tinged, more personal, introspective review.
“Once In Her Lifetime” always seemed to have been better suited to the earlier ‘Grapes Of Wrath’ album, though was smothered with a difficult pop production, here it reaches back and literally shakes of its shackles, as does ‘Harlan County’ which by dispensing with its original polished to within an inch of its life production has revealed both its fragility and its emotion, the lyric “the working class have got their pubs and TV” has been brought up to date as “…their Facebook and TV”.
“All My Love” was lifted as a single upon the albums release, I always considered this to be a less satisfying choice; particularly when you have the beauty of “World Service” primed ready to go; yet someone at Epic thought this had Top 20 stamped on it and paid for a glitzy pop video complete with a trio of over-permed models in white stiletto’s offering backing vocals – the new version remains a pop song, albeit one with a much more palatable harder edge.
The inclusion of “Young Men” surprised me, not least as it was originally released on the sophomore “One Eyed Jacks” album, but the fact it has been entirely reimagined as a beautiful piano and vocal lament, the arms aloft grandeur of the original has become a haunting expression of grief.
Spear Of Destiny should (now) be proud of “World Service” – by finessing the power of his band; essentially adding the required grunt, they have allowed the album to finally glisten, and rightfully assert its position within the band’s canon. |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Oct 28, 2020 7:52:49 GMT
I got into The Pack, after belatedly buying the wonderful "King of Kings" single, about a year after after it was issued. The b-side "Number 12" was a great punk tune also. Some guy in a record store fobbed me off with a Theatre Of Hate (live) elpee, insisting it was 'really just The Pack under a different name' a bit later, and I was very disappointed when I got it home and played it.. I exchanged the record at a later date, but it still put me off them for life.  I have some sympathy with the record store guy - there are more similarities than differences between The Pack and TOH, or so it seemed to me |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Dec 17, 2020 17:56:08 GMT
To coincide with their 40th Anniversary Theatre Of Hate have just announced a new studio album entitled “A Thing Of Beauty“. The double album comprises twenty one tracks released as either a double gatefold CD, or a double gatefold LP pressed upon clear vinyl, the release is also available digitally. Geddit here (+ listen to excerpts from songs).... kirkbrandon.com/athingofbeauty |
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