Kirk Brandon, musical and lyrical genius, frontman of Spear Of Destiny, Theatre Of Hate, The Pack and prolific solo artist is always given a heroes welcome whenever he returns to play in the North East.
Spear Of Destiny, formed 40 years ago, continue to look forward, never rest on their laurels, and to this day regularly release albums full of that immediately recognisable SOD sound but which are always bang up to date with the issues they tackle. Personal, political, social. Latest release ‘Ghost Population’ named after Brandon read an article about scientists researching historic DNA samples and realising there was another race as well as Denisovans, Neanderthals etc. They haven’t yet found out who these people were, hence ‘Ghost Population’. An album packed full of those signature guitar licks, rolling drums and throbbing bass lines capped by Brandon’s unmistakeable vocal delivery. Like Spear Of Destiny albums prior to this ‘Ghost Population’ is a real powerhouse. It’s overall sound is huge, rousing and often uplifting.
The current Spear Of Destiny line-up is the longest serving to date and includes Adrian Portas (New Model Army/Sex Gang Children), Craig Adams (Sisters Of Mercy/The Mission/The Cult) and Phil Martin (Jim Jones and The Righteous Mind) as well as Clive Osborne on saxophone and Steve Allen-Jones on keyboard.
Spear Of Destiny released some of the most era-defining post-punk/indie sounds of the 1980’s – Grapes Of Wrath, Stranger In Our Town and Never Take Me Alive to name just three. Today’s Spear Of Destiny is just as relevant, just as powerful and, possibly, an even better force to be reckoned with when they play live.
Spear Of Destiny tour the UK throughout the remainder of November and the first half of December including a welcome stop at The Cluny, Newcastle on Wednesday December 14th.
Remaining tour dates as follows:
NOVEMBER
24 – BIRMINGHAM – Asylum
25 – BRIGHTON – Patterns
26 – SOUTHEND – The Venue
27 – PLYMOUTH – Junction
29 – STOKE – Underground
30 – NORWICH – Waterfront
DECEMBER
01 – HULL – Polar Bear
02 – LONDON – Oslo
03 – DERBY – Hairy Dog
04 – NUNEATON – Queens Hall
06 – SOUTHAMPTON – Joiners
07 – HERTFORD – Corn Exchange
08 – BRISTOL – Fleece
09 – BEDFORD – Esquires
10 – DARWEN – Library Theatre
11 – WORCESTER – Marrs Bar
13 – NOTTINGHAM – Rescue Rooms
14 – NEWCASTLE – Cluny
15 – GLASGOW – King Tut’s
16 – DUNFERMLINE – PJ Molloys
17 – MANCHESTER – Academy
