Kirk Brandon is a British punk and post-punk musician, born in 1956, whose work spans The Pack, Theatre of Hate, Spear of Destiny and Dead Men Walking. He starts his music career in Clapham, South London in 1978, when he forms The Pack, a punk group in which he is singer and songwriter. The line-up includes Scottish-born drummer Rath Fae Beith and Canadian brothers Simon and Jon Werner on guitars. The Pack’s last live performance takes place at a sold-out 101 Club in Clapham.

Early bands

In 1980 Brandon forms Theatre of Hate, a post-punk new wave band. The original line-up includes Stan Stammers on bass, Nigel Preston on drums, Billy Duffy on guitar and John “Boy” Lennard on saxophone. Theatre of Hate’s biggest hit comes from the album Westworld with the single “Do You Believe In The Westworld?”, which reaches number 40 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1982, while the album reaches number 17 in the UK Albums Chart in March 1982. The band disbands in 1983.

Spear of Destiny

Brandon and Theatre of Hate bassist Stammers then join with Lascelles James on saxophone and Chris Bell on drums to form Spear of Destiny. The group takes a more melodic and less aggressive direction, moving away from post-punk and towards mainstream pop. Brandon continues to write about political ideas in the new band, while his lyrics also focus more often on love and romance. The line-up changes repeatedly, growing to a six-piece and later shrinking back to four members. Despite a strong live reputation, the band scores only one Top 20 hit.

Later activity

In 2003 Brandon undertakes a solo tour supporting The Alarm on their Poppyfields tour. His set includes new material performed on acoustic guitar with electric pickup, together with songs from his time in Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny. He also performs in the punk supergroup Dead Men Walking, and later reforms and tours with Spear of Destiny in 2007 and 2008.