Spear of Destiny is a British rock band, formed in London in 1982 by ex-members of Theatre Of Hate, singer Kirk Brandon and bassist Stan Stammers. It has had an ever-changing line-up through the years. They have had ten UK Singles Chart entries. Four reached the Top 50 but only one made the Top 20 – "Never Take Me Alive" (1987).
Formed in 1982, the band's original line-up consisted of Kirk Brandon, Stan Stammers, Chris Bell and Lascelles James. In late 1983, this line-up was superseded by Dolphin Taylor on drums, Alan St. Clairon guitar, John Lennard on saxophone and Neil Pyzer on keyboards and additional saxophone. In 1984, John Lennard was replaced by Mickey Donnelly on saxophone.
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Links to Peel[]
Peel gave the band the chance to record a session for his show in November 1982 after hearing that the singer and bassist from Theatre Of Hate formed a new group called Spear Of Destiny. The band recorded the session before releasing a record in 1983. Further material from the group were played by Peel until 1984, where he described their 'Prisoner Of Love' as a truly awful record on his 04 February 1984 (BFBS) programme. After 1984, he seemed to have lost interest in the group and never played their top 20 hit, 'Never Take Me Alive'.
Sessions[]
Spear of Destiny - Peel Session 1982
1. Recorded: 1982-11-22. First Broadcast: 29 November 1982. Repeated: 14 December 1982, 12 January 1983
- Black Madonna / O-Men Of The Times / The Wake / Judgement Hymn
Other Shows Played[]
- 1983
- Peel December 1982 to March 1983: Flying Scotsman (7") Burning Rome
- 26 February 1983 (BFBS): The Man Who Tunes The Drums (7" - Flying Scotsman) Burning Rome
- 01 March 1983: Flying Scotsman (7") Burning Rome
- 06 March 1983 (BFBS): Flying Scotsman (7") Burning Rome
- 20 March 1983 (BFBS): Flying Scotsman (12") Burning Rome
- 24 May 1983: Preacher (Live At The Venue, Aberdeen) (EP - The Wheel) Epic
- 11 April 1983: The Wheel (12") Burning Rome
- 17 April 1983 (BFBS): Roof Of The World (album - Grapes Of Wrath) Epic / Burning Rome
- 22 May 1983 (BFBS): The Wheel (2x7") Epic
- 06 June 1983 (BBC World Service): The Wheel (2x7") Epic
- 06 July 1983 (BFBS): The Wheel (single) Epic
- 17 August 1983 (BFBS): Flying Scotsman (7") Burning Rome
- 01 October 1983 (BFBS): The Wheel (single) Epic
- 1984
- 04 February 1984 (BFBS): Prisoner Of Love (single)
- 03 April 1984: Liberator (7") Epic
- 07 April 1984 (BFBS): Liberator (7") Burning Rome
- 16 April 1984 (BBC World Service): Liberator (7") Burning Rome