Interview: Kirk Brandon

Kirk Brandon is a busy man. Having finished playing a batch of intimate solo gigs, Kirk is now getting ready to head back out on the road with Spear of Destiny, followed by Theatre of Hate. Mr Teeth caught up for a phone interview with Kirk Brandon, as the singer sat down for some time out and a cup of tea.

Firstly then, how have your recent shows gone?

Yes, so the acoustic shows have been doing well. Enjoyed them, just done a batch of dates with Sam Sansbury on cello. He’s a very talented guy so a pleasure to play alongside.

Smaller venues too, the Tea Tray café in Portsmouth for example was only 40 people capacity?

Yeah, most were a little bigger, I loved that one though. it was literally just a café. Think it was more like 60 in the end, which the owner probably wasn’t too happy about! It was sold out within a couple of hours apparently, could have been 2 or 3 times over too by all accounts, which is always nice to know.

It was a very vocal gig, a lot of these sort of shows are, but this one in particular with people shouting out… in a good way. It was obvious what people wanted to hear and they knew the songs too. I love the interaction, it’s partly why I do the acoustic stuff.

Having already mentioned Sam on cello, how do you guys know each other?

Mutual friends really, like I say, he’s a talented guy and was up for doing it. He runs his own business but like many people, just got stuck in a rut a little bit I guess. So wanted to do something different, fun and what’s better than playing rock n roll you know?

You’ve already put out a couple of acoustic albums previously. How do the ones with Sam compare, how do you go about writing them with the cello?

Very different, definitely. It’s still me, but Sam brings a lot to them. Although there’s no right way of writing. Sam comes from a classical background, has come from playing in an orchestra so is used to learning every single note correctly.

Sam scores everything, it’s weird seeing pretty much every song I’ve written over the years put down on paper. Scribed in a way I’ve never done before. Like I say, talented, very talented guy.

What about your older songs, are some easier to translate to cello than others?

Yes totally, but one thing that Sam soon learnt was I don’t always play them the same each time anyway. I don’t always know what I’m doing really!

He’d turn up at practice having written everything down, very precise way of working, but I’d also encourage him to do his own thing. I’ve been playing these songs for 10, 20 or in other cases over 30 years, so it’s nice to hear someone else interpret them.

Going on tour with Spear of Destiny and then Theatre of Hate, how different are those shows going to be to each other?

Again, very different. Each is their own entity. Hardest part is getting everyone together you know, with a couple of the guys living in America and such like. We all live our own lives, so it takes some organising.

Everyone’s a bit mad in Theatre of Hate, it’s a cliché thing to say but guess we have to be to keep doing it! As for Spear’s, if anything I’d say it’s more professional, a musicians band. Both are just as good fun, but with different people.

So, who have you got playing with you these days?

Line-up has been pretty steady for a while now to be fair, same guys but different drummer.

When you go on tour as Spear of Destiny and Theatre of Hate, do you cross over in the songs you play with each band?

Not at all these days, I like to keep them separate. They should be too really, plus it keeps things interesting for me going on tour with both.

In the early days, there was a cross-over in Spear and Theatre of Hate, so we would do then with a couple of songs. I guess not having so much material, but not now, completely different set lists.

Then in terms of new music, the latest Spear of Destiny album has just come out – what can fans expect from that?

Yeah, “Tontine” came out last month. It’s being very well received, more so than I could have imagined to be honest. Not just by the fans, but it’s been getting really good reviews in the press too. I don’t like to take too much notice of the media, you can’t afford to really, but at the end of the day, it’s good reviews coming from people that know their music.

I could be fickle about it and say where were they 20 or 30 years ago, but I’m not like that really. So yes, some people have been saying it’s the best Spears album yet. Which is kind of strange to hear,  but we’re really proud of the outcome you know. The fans seem to be liking it too so far, which again firstly you write it for yourself, but it’s always good to hear you’re doing something right!

You mention the music press, how much have you seen music journalism change over the years?

I think we’ve always been lucky with Spear of Destiny and Theatre of Hate in that we appeal to people that just love their music. It’s not about trends, although trends are always fascinating. Some of the press are the ones that have grown up with us. Writers in Mojo and Uncut, they know their stuff and what they’re writing about.

If however, they don’t like something, it’s their opinion. I wouldn’t get too offended by it, especially if I’ve written something that deserves to get slated! Luckily though, “Tontine” is getting some great feedback.

We’ve talked about Spear of Destiny and Theatre of Hate, what about Dead Men Walking – is that still an ongoing project?

Again, it’s one of those things that happens as and when it can. For example, the guys from the Ruts have been busy with Ruts DC lately, but it’s great fun when we get together.

Back when I got to see Dead Men Walking, it was yourself, Mike Peters, Captain Sensible and Glen Matlock – quite a line-up, anyone else you’d love to work with?

Yeah and Slim Jim from the Stray Cats would have been involved around that time, a lot of people come and gone. Quite a legacy I guess! As for anyone else, would be great to get someone like Peter Hook involved for sure.

What about any other projects you’d like to get involved in?

There are loads of great artists out there, but I’ve got enough to be getting on with for now I think!

Apart from the current tour, what’s next for Kirk Brandon?

There are still some more dates to organise abroad, although we are making it over to Poland and then Belgium later in the year. There’s a few festivals happening, Rebellion in Blackpool should be a good one.

Also, I should have mentioned earlier talking about the new album. There’s the track “Mr Livingstone” being released as a single, that I need to plug. It’s a slightly edited version available if anyone wants to play it on the radio etc, nothing really taken out as such.

The song is pretty personal, in honour of a friend who passed away too young. I’d like to say though, it was a pleasure to play it in Brighton recently. His family were there, so a proud moment to play in front of people that it meant a lot too.

Thanks for your time Kirk, was an absolute pleasure chatting with you.

Kirk Brandon’s tour with Spear of Destiny kicks off this week, starting in Crewe with other dates including Southampton at the 1865 club in June. Check his official website for further details, along with gigs later in the year with Theatre of Hate.