Spear of Destiny / Rescue Rooms / Nottingham
Kirk Brandon and Spear of Destiny arrived at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham on Sunday night to celebrate their classic album “World Service” turning 35 (and a bit extra because of Covid lol). Hard to believe it was released back in 1985 reaching #11 in the UK charts. They released a number of outstanding albums, including “One Eyed Jacks” but none more notable than “World Service” and this tour plays the album in its entirety along with some B sides, rarities and a couple of classics from other albums.
The show kicked off with the title track World Service The track had a fantastic clarity to it with sharp guitar (courtesy of Adrian Portas - Theatre of Hate) and the drums (Phil Martini) sounding refreshing as the track builds to a riotous finale.
Next up we’re treated to Rocket Ship which has an anthemic feel to it and a wonderful saxophone solo (Steve Allan Jones) which shines through, as well as a cracking guitar solo midway through. I loved the heavy bass beat driving through this one too thanks to Craig Adams (who has also worked with The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission, The Cult, the Alarm and Theatre of Hate).
Cole Younger was the B Side for Come Back and it has a rockier feel to it. It tells the story of Thomas Coleman Younger was an American Confederate guerrilla during the American Civil War and later an outlaw leader with the James–Younger Gang. As you’d imagine, it has a much more grungy sound to it. Followed immediately by it’s A side partner in crime Come Back, which is a track I’ve always loved and has a wonderful SKA/Reggae rhythm to it. Always a favourite live, a track the audience always sing along to with gusto.
All My Love came next and is another song with a real anthem feel to it, the drumming of Phil Martini shining through keeping the pace and allowing Kirk’s vocals to shine and drift over the top. Walk in my Shadow was on the B side to All My Love. It’s a wonderful piece with some fantastic rock riffs and with some heavy 70’s metal overtones.
We’re rewarded with the wonderful drum intro next from Phil to Up all Night which keep up a blistering beat throughout the track, underpinning the guitar licks, one of the more expansive tracks for me. Next up we had Somewhere in the East followed by (as it is on the album) by Once in her Lifetime, the pulsing bass intro gives it an edge right away and a sense of power, amplified by the sax sections. A track that really let the instruments get a fair chance to shine.
I can See hit us next, allowing Kirk’s vocals to take centre stage once again. An easily identifiable sound it complements the instruments so effectively almost as if it’s another instrument and it really shines on this track and shows Kirks excellent tonal range. Another fan favourite live as they sing along to the ‘Ah ah ah ah’ sections. It sounded amazing.
The main set ended with probably my favourite Spear of Destiny song Mickey. With a simple penny whistle intro it adds a real sense of emotion to this track. The track tells the story of the lack of opportunities for disadvantaged young men that are then swept up by the armed forces and experience terrible consequences and for me it’s one of the best songs to be written on so many levels and still stands up today. In today’s world of post punk and edgy ballads (such as “Oh Such a Spring” by Fontaines D.C.) it stands tall and is as good today as it was 35 years ago. It’s message still as poignant as ever and Micky’s pain is almost tangible. Delivered with such passion and emotion by Kirk…. Simply stunning.
The band returned for an encore and started with the final track from “World Service”
Harlan County a beautiful ballad of about the south eastern Kentucky county often the centre of labour strife between coal mine owners and union workers. A stripped back, almost tender track that let Kirk’s lyrics convey the emotion of the track.
Followed by the excellent Solution from “Grapes of Wrath”, Afrikan Proverb from their latest studio album “Tontine”, Transmission from “Loadestone” and Their England a rarity a track made after “World Service” that didn’t appear on a studio release. As we reached the end we were treated toa couple of tracks from the equally stunning album “One Eyed Jacks” in Playground (of the Rich) and last but by no means least Liberator. Probably what Spear of Destiny are best known for and a huge fan favourite, the crowd were bouncing as they enthusiastically sang along.
And that was it…. Or so the crowd though as Kirk and the band left the stage and downhearted everyone headed for the doors. Then with a rye smile Kirk bounded back on to the stage and shouted the crowd back….. ‘time for one more ?’ Oh go on then…...
Sometimes you can’t have enough of a good thing and they performed one last track Never Take Me Alive the B Side on “Uphill Backwards”. The track builds slowly as it tells the tale of a guy ringing his mum to tell her he’d killed a man, will go down fighting. A perfect closing track as it builds and builds, the crowd screaming out the chorus with Kirk, arms in the air.
Then suddenly it’s all over….. again !
Spear of Destiny were always a force to be reckoned with live and I can see why Kirk Brandon has the cult following still today that he does. It was a fantastic show to experience and one that will live long in the memory. If you get the chance to see a show on this tour, grab it…….
Support was provided by the excellent JP Aston, co-founder of Gene Loves Jezebel formed in early 1980s with his twin brother Michael a cult gothic rock, new wave, alt rock group. Their best UK album release was “Discover” in 1986 which reached #32 in the UK album chart, but their 1983 debut album “Promise” reached #8 in the UK Independent chart. They had three top ten independent chart single successes with “Bruises” (#7 1983), “The Cow” (#9 1985) and “Desire” (#4 1985). A wonderful ‘simple’ solo performance with electric guitar of slower tracks and ballad like tracks. A joy and a great introduction to the main set.
