What’s On

Hard to believe we know but it is true, Kirk Brandon has now been leading SPEAR OF DESTINY for over 40 years.

SPEAR OF DESTINY were formed in 1983 after the demise of Kirk Brandon’s post punk iconic rockers THEATRE OF HATE. (Brandon had also, before TOH, been the main man in every punk rockers favourite band of that era, The Pack)

The current line up of Spear is the longest serving to date and features Adrian Portas (New Model Army / Sex Gang Children), Craig Adams (Sisters of Mercy / The Cult / The Mission) and Phil Martini (Jim Jones and the Righteous Mind )on drums. During 2019 the line up was boasted by Saxophonist Clive Osborne. Long time Brandon collaborator Steve Allen-Jones completes the band line up on keyboards..

Post Pandemic has seen SOD play some fabulous club shows and festivals including sell out shows at the iconic 100 Club in London, Manchester Ritz and Glasgow Oran Mor. SOD’s performances at Sign of the Times, Rebellion and Kubix festivals have heralded fantastic reviews “Festival Stealing Dream set” wrote The Northern Echo.

Late 2024 will see Spear take to the road with long term friend Richard Jobson who will fronting a revitalised line up of the much loved Post Punk Heroes THE SKIDS. This amazing line will be playing close to 30 shows across the UK in November and December 2024, NOT to be missed.

For SPEAR OF DESTINY 2025 will be the year of ‘Janus”. Janus The Recordings are the choicest cuts from the band’s two biggest selling albums, Outland & The Price You Pay. 24 tracks re-recorded and re-imagined, beautifully packaged and presented on Double Vinyl, Extended Double CD and Download. Janus The Tour will pull a set list from these fantatsic new recordings.

The BBC’s Jeremy Vine says, “@kirkbrandon is one of our greatest musical geniuses”

John Robb’s Louder Than War “Spear of Destiny are criminally underrated and are one of Britain’s best, Boys Own, punch the air, grandiose Rock’nRoll bands.”

Mojo wrote: “Kirk Brandon is on of the UK’s best kept secrets”.

On SOD’s previous studio album ‘31’(Thirty-One).
BBC Radio’s Jools Holland: “possibly [Spear of Destiny’s] best album in 20 years”

Louder Than War: “9/10 Brandon puts his all into every song with epic bombast, coming across as a tragic rock n roll anti-hero. He is the Wagner of rock n roll. And the haircut’s still pretty cool”

Aberdeen Voice: “Forty years together makes for flawless musicianship, a unique sound, and some remarkable riffs and harmonies”

Shonen Knife’s front girl Naoko was inspired to form the band by Beatles, Ramones, Buzzcocks etc. in Osaka on December 30, 1981. The origin of the band name is an old brand name of a pencil sharpener knife.

Their first album “Burning Farm”, released on Zero Records in Japan in 1983, was reissued on legendary American label K Records in 1985.

Their one and only unique sound got popular in North America, UK and Europe; and their first major album “Let’s Knife” was released in Japan, the US and UK in 1992.

Shonen Knife keeps on releasing their rockin albums and touring constantly worldwide!

Wrong Jovi are the UK’s newest and finest tribute to rock legends Bon Jovi. Described by tribute band expert (Channel 4’s The Convention Crasher) and TV celebrity Justin Lee-Collins as “the best Bon Jovi tribute band in the world”, Wrong Jovi features some of the UKs finest professional musicians. With a set list crammed full of sing-along anthems, live favourites and rarities, audiences are guaranteed the ultimate Bon Jovi experience.

With attention to detail in sound and performance, The Wrong Jovi show is second to none.

“His music is simple but joyous, and totally infectious” – Songlines Magazine
“His songs are moving to hear and a spectacle to watch” – Evening Standard

Gasper Nali is a not-so-traditional babatoni player from the small town of Nkhata Bay on the shores of Lake Malawi. The babatoni is an African one-string home-made 3-metre long bass guitar, and with a stick and an empty beer bottle, together with a cow skin kick drum and catchy melodies, he creates the most amazing and danceable original Afro Beats possible!

Gasper’s unique style of Kwela music has received an extraordinary amount of online attention after a video of him playing by the lake shore went viral with over 20 million views. He has been featured by CNN and in the documentary “Deep Roots Malawi”, jammed with Joss Stone, appeared on Wired for Sound – Malawi, remixed by Aroop Roy for Sol Power Sounds and been played by Iggy Pop on BBC 6! His debut album, “Abale Ndikuwuzeni”, roughly translates to ‘People, I want to tell you’. It is a fitting title as Gasper’s songs, all sung in the Malawi national language of Chichewa, talk about life and strife in the country, often including social issues such as the rich and the poor, child marriages etc.

Following on from their award-winning GEBURAH show, occultist comedian Andrew O’Neill returns with their brand new HISTORY OF PUNK.

In 2017, Andrew toured their HISTORY OF HEAVY METAL show to critical acclaim alongside the book of the same name. In 2025, they return with another genre they’re equally passionate about.

“One of the funniest comedians on the circuit at the moment… hitting new heights of comedic brilliance” – Timeout

“clever comedy for those who like their laughs original, off-kilter and cliché-free” – Three Weeks

“…comedian, metalhead, amateur occultist and musician… Sharp, artistic and unique, [their] innate confidence and fondness of absurdity leaves [their] audiences feeling full of glee” – Funhouse Comedy

The Alley Club Presents… INTENSIFIED + DJs

INTENSIFIED. 1990. 35 years of continuous service to ska. Joyous vibes and integrity, original material influenced by the sounds of 60s Jamaica. The band has recently released their 7th album, Hang Fire, to wide acclaim.
https://www.facebook.com/IntensifiedUK/videos/1059113895520359

Wesson (TBC)

Green Mind presents… Acts TBC

Last Gang In Town presents… acts TBA

Beguiled +Allotment

Awards night celebrating local pubs and venues.