In 1980, Kirk Brandon formed Theatre Of Hate from the ashes of heralded punk band The Pack.  Joining Kirk on vocals were notable punk musicians Stan Stammers and Luke Rendall, along with old school friend, Steve Guthrie and Canadian born John “Boy” Lennard, who revolutionised the band’s sound with his haunting sax lines.

Theatre Of Hate’s debut double-A-side single, ‘Legion’/‘Original Sin’, topped the independent chart in 1980, and ‘Westworld’, their debut album, produced by Mick Jones from The Clash and released in 1982, held the number one position for 21 weeks.  The single taken from the album, ‘Do You Believe In The Westworld?’ has become an anthem and is still widely played in clubs and on international radio, as well as featuring on numerous compilation albums.

Theatre Of Hate imploded in 1982, with Kirk taking Stan forward to form Spear Of Destiny, but the band has resurfaced over the years to play some very special shows. Having been asked by John Curd to join The Damned for a massive show at London’s infamous Roundhouse in December 2014 the band once again joined the fray. A short set of dates around the London anchor show attracted rave reviews, as did a six night Sold Out run in December 2014.

Kirk, Stan and John will be joined by current Spear Of Destiny band member Adrian Portas (New Model Army) on guitar and Chris Bell (Hugh Cornwall) on drums to pay homage to the iconic TOH sound. 

DECEMBER

Mon 3rd BRISTOL The Fleece

Fri 7th DUNFERMLINE PJ Malloys

Sat 8th HUDDERSFIELD The Parish

Sun 9th WREXHAM Live Rooms

Thur 13th NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms

Fri 14th SOUTHEND Chinnerys

Sat 15th MANCHESTER Academy – SOLD OUT

Sun 16th LONDON Islington Assembly

Skunk Anansie have shared the video for ‘Charlie Big Potato’, the second track to be taken from their career-spanning live album 25LIVE@25, which sees the band celebrate 25 years of unparalleled influence. The album will be released on January 25 via Republic Of Music. Featuring performance footage across the years, the video perfectly encapsulates why Skunk Anansie have been hailed around the globe as one of the greatest live acts of all time.

Drummer Mark Richardson reflects, “It’s amazing to see all these clips in the same video. It really brings home to me how much we achieved and how far we have come. When we started we ran alongside popular culture and we still do, but one thing remains unchanged. Namely, our ability to capture the audience, fire their imagination and to kick their arses into the middle of next week. Bands like Skunk come along once in a lifetime and I for one can’t wait to be getting back on the road to do what we do best.”

In the brand new issue of Dazed & Confused magazine, which contains a stunningly shot and fascinating feature with frontwoman Skin, Skunk Anansie are hailed as the vanguard for afropunk, “one of the most unforgettable bands of the ‘90s… a beloved artist for a generation of outsiders, Skunk Anansie made you FEEL it [as] a band that became history.”

This follows Skin being honoured earlier this month with the Inspirational Artist award at the 2018 Music Week ‘Women In Music Awards’ and a major feature in Kerrang! magazine which cites Skunk Anansie’s “indomitable live presence across a career that has taken them around the world… always producing a forward-thinking and perennially modern sound that takes in everything from classic rock to punk and delightful smatterings of drum’n’bass or techno.”

Skin was also one of the cover stars of Classic Rock magazine’s special She Rocks issue earlier this year which featured individual covers of Kate Bush, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett and Skin, cementing her place as one of the greatest frontwomen of all time.