Theatre of Hate

Theatre of Hate

Theatre of Hate is a London post-punk and gothic rock group led by singer-songwriter Kirk Brandon, who previously appears in the punk band The Pack. The original line-up forms in Britain in 1980 and includes guitarist Simon Werner, bassist Jonathan Werner, and drummer Luke Rendle. The band becomes known as a live act in its early years and records several concert albums before moving into studio work.

Early releases and line-up changes

In 1981, Theatre of Hate releases its debut, He Who Dares Wins Live at the Warehouse Leeds, a live album recorded in concert. After that release, Brandon dismisses the rest of the original group and rebuilds the band with guitarist Billy Duffy, bassist Stan Stammers, saxophonist John Lennard, and drummer Luke Rendle, who later gives way to Nigel Preston. Duffy has previously played in The Nosebleeds, while Rendle also comes from Crisis.

Westworld and chart success

The band records its first non-live album, Westworld, with producer Mick Jones of The Clash. The album reaches the UK Top 20 and includes the Top 40 single “Do You Believe in the Westworld?”. Before and after that studio release, Theatre of Hate also issues the live album Live at the Lyceum in 1982 and He Who Dares Wins 2: Live in Berlin later the same year.

Break-up, later activity, and related projects

Theatre of Hate disbands in 1983. Brandon later fronts Spear of Destiny, while Billy Duffy joins Ian Astbury in Southern Death Cult, which later becomes The Cult. A compilation titled Revolution spends three weeks in the UK album chart. The band also returns for touring in April 2007 around the 25th anniversary of Westworld, which is reissued with newly recorded tracks.

Later releases

Later releases include Aria of the Devil (1998), Kinshi (2016), and Utsukushi-sa (A Thing Of Beauty) (2021).