999 & Spear Of Destiny Play Concorde 2 On Thursday 13th March
Published 26th Feb 2003 by Alison@c2

Thursday 13th March 999. Loud & brash UK punk band formed in 1977 by Nick Cash (ex Kilburn and The High roads with Ian Dury) + Spear of Destiny performing an 'Anthology' show with songs from Spear of Destiny, Theatre of Hate & The Pack days. In addition, John 'boy' Lennard, the original Theatre Of Hate sax player is flying in to play his first full tour with the band in over 12 years + Psycho Babble. 8pm. ?8.

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999 Biog

999 were formed by Nick Cash (ex Kilburn and The High roads with Ian Dury) They should have been bigger. Originally formed in 1977 and called 48 Hours ( changed after the Clash had a song with the same title) they changed to 999.
"Loud and brash, they demanded to be heard. Armed with a cluster of vibrant and challenging songs they quickly established themselves on the burgeoning live circuit.Entering the studio in July 1977 they recorded their first single, "I'm Alive/Quite Disappointing", an auspicious debut which captured the very essence of the era. Released the following month, all 10,000 copies of the single (on Labritain sold out within weeks. Intense record company interest followed and 999 signed to United Artists Records. Their first single for their new label was "Nasty Nasty",a scathing attack on mindless violence.A truly distinctive style continued to evolve, with the release in January 1978 of "Emergency". An exceptional song by any standards, it was joined by material of the same quality when their eponymous debut album "999" was released. The album's opening track and subsequent single "Me and My Desire" displayed a more measured approach and delivery than that which had been used previously and added a new intensity to their music.


The eagerly awaited second album was preceded by the release as a single of one of it's featured tracks,"Feelin' Alright with the Crew", a sparse almost spartan rhythmical arrangement complemented by a unique vocal inflection. Released in September 1978, "Separates" was followed two months later by "Homicide", a song of anthem-like proportions which was in keeping with the powerful sound prevalent on the LP.The short lived Radar Records released as a single the buoyant "Found Out Too Late" in October 1979. It featured Ed Case deputising on drums for the injured Pablo Labritain." From Jungle records


Excellent singles I'm Alive / Quite Disapointing (1977 Labritain) Emergency / My Street Stinks (1978 UA), Nasty Nasty / No Pity (1977 UA) Me And My Desire / Crazy (1978 UA) Homicide / Soldier (1978 UA) and Feeling Alright With The Crew / Titanic (My Over) Reaction / You Cant Buy Me (1978 UA) .
Album 999 collects most of the singles and b sides. Seperates has Homicide and Feeling and all also great cuts like Rael Rean and Hi Energy Plan. Two tracks on live at the Hope And Anchor - Crazy and Quite Disapointing.
Band. Nick Cash - Vocs / Guitar. Pablo Labritain - Drums. Guy Days - Guitar. John Watson - Bass.


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Spear Of Destiny Biog1

Formed from the ashes of Theatre Of Hate in early 1983, Spear Of Destiny took their name from the mythological weapon which pierced the body of Christ, and was supposedly acquired over the years by Attila The Hun, Napoleon and Hitler. This helped the band to attract quite a volume of destructive commentary in the press. The original line-up featured mainstay Kirk Brandon (b. 3 August 1956, Westminster, London, England; vocals/guitar), Chris Bell (drums), Lasettes Ames (saxophone) and Stan Stammers (ex-Theatre Of Hate; bass). They signed to CBS, but maintained their own label design, Burning Rome, which had appeared on previous Theatre Of Hate releases. The first single Flying Scotsman arrived in 1983, and was featured on THE GRAPES OF WRATH alongside the relentless single The Wheel. Critical response to the group was divided. By July, Bell and Ames had left, for reasons described by Bell as personal and religious. Brandon and Stammers brought in former Theatre Of Hate saxophonist John Lennard (b. Canada, ex-Diodes) and Nigel Preston (ex Theatre Of Hate, Sex Gang Children). A third line-up added Alan St Clair (guitar) and Neil Pyzor (ex-Case; keyboards, saxophone), Dolphin Taylor (ex- Tom Robinson Band and Stiff Little Fingers; drums) and Nicky Donnelly (ex-Case; saxophone). It was this formation which recorded ONE EYED JACKS, arguably the band's best album, and the singles Rainmaker, Liberator and Prisoner Of Love, the latter signalling a change in direction which would be more fully realized on the follow-up album. When WORLD SERVICE arrived, there was considerable disappointment from fans and critics alike. Having built an enviable reputation as a lyricist of considerable vigour, tracks like Mickey seemed grotesque and clumsy. Further personnel changes became commonplace, and by 1987 and OUTLANDS the line-up comprised Pete Barnacle (drums), Volker Janssen (keyboards) and Chris Bostock (bass) alongside Brandon. The summer of that year saw Brandon incapacitated for six months with an ankle injury that left him unable to walk, an affliction from which he still carries a limp. However, the band were soon back in the charts with Never Take Me Alive, and a support tour with U2. Their 1988 singles So In Love With You and Radio Radio saw them switch from Epic to Virgin. By December 1990, old colleague Stan Stammers returned on bass, alongside new drummer and guitarist Bobby Rae Mayhem and Mark Thwaite. 1991 opened with Brandon touring once more under the joint Theatre Of Hate/Spear Of Destiny banner.

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