The Pack Live Review – Dockyard Club
The Pack – Dockyard Club, Southsea, Live Review
Kirk Brandon is a very busy man, with what seems to be a constant tour of his various incarnations. Last year saw both Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny taking to the road, as well as a handful of smaller venues playing solo.
However, the Pack at the Dockyard Club in Southsea was to be somewhat special. Performing just 4 dates, this was the first time the Pack had played live together in 40 years. It returns Kirk Brandon to the start of his musical career, one that was certainly more punk rock than that of Theatre of Hate or Spear of Destiny.
Desperate Measures
Desperate Measures – The Dockyard Club
Another band who date back to the turn of the ’80s provided main support. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Desperate Measures were even more traditional punk rock than Kirk Brandon’s the Pack.
The first thing to mention is you had to feel sorry for guitarist Anzi, clearly battling against technical issues throughout the set. The pedal board seemed to have faulty connections, an impromptu guitar change resulting in things coming to a temporary standstill.
Desperate Measures
Although it’s all punk rock. I don’t think Desperate Measures were ever going to be anything else. “Good job all our songs are only 3 minutes long, takes us 10 minutes to f*ck them up!” exclaimed frontman Eugene.
Even their first new song in 35 years was pretty much based on the same 3 chords. Eugene’s stage presence and vocals (albeit NZ accent rather than Australian) would suit a Bon Scott era AC/DC. However, musically this was classic punk music, fast, brash and very messy.
The Pack
The Pack – the Dockyard Club
While a fan of Kirk Brandon’s past work, I must admit I wasn’t that aware of the Pack prior to reviewing tonight’s show. Having given them a listen before the Dockyard Club show, it was obvious this was the sound of a more youthful Kirk.
There was a great turnout and as the intro tape started running, there was an air of anticipation around the venue. After all, 4 decades is a long time to wait to hear these songs being played live. It was, however, obvious that while the Pack hadn’t performed together in all that time, they’d certainly revisited the old tracks in preparation.
In fact, live the band seemed even tighter than listening to the Pack on record. Kirk’s voice has come a long way since his early work. There may have been the odd higher note he didn’t quite make, but you’d never have guessed this was a band from their younger days.
The Pack – Live Review
As for those early times spent together, the singer was in a reminiscent mood in-between songs. Theatre of Hate fans were also in for a treat, as Kirk introduced the Pack version of ToH tune “Legion”. Whereby the originally demo apparently having been under lock and key at Barclays Bank for all these years.
Then, with the last song of the night, the Pack would have the audience singing along to “King of Kings” from the 1980’s Pack of Lies EP. At which point, as if we were in any doubt, it was clear the Pack had made an impact on the punks just as much as Kirk’s later incarnations.
Read the Mr Teeth Reviews interview with Kirk Brandon here (from last year).
Along with a review of the Spear of Destiny gig at the 1865 in Southampton.
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The Pack Live Review
