Legion / Heathen / Brave New Soldiers / St Theresa / Death To Life / Tyburn
Thalidomide / Kink Of Kings / Somewhere / Number Twelve
The Pack arseing about at the end of the tape!
Indebted to Chris ‘Spike’ Low for the lend of this tape, scorching stuff on this cassette. How Kirk Brandon’s voice survived for the next night let alone through Theatre Of Hate to Spear Of Destiny is a mystery to me. He really lets his vocals hit 11 on the screechomiter on this tape, recorded (anyone know where or when?) in the crowd, seemingly by a couple of Derek and Clive’s on the pull at the gig. The amount of times you hear them on the tape. Sluts indeed!
The sound quality and original editing is not the best, but it does give a feel of what it must have been like to hear Kirk Brandons ‘untamed’ vocal style of 1979. The tape itself is over 28 years old so there are a couple of dropouts. Still this tape is as rare as hen’s teeth…so you get what you get!
The arseing about I put up separately to the music, quite amusing little snippets at the end of the tape.
Added kudos points go to Chris for having a personal message inside the cover of his tape by Mr Donut himself, Jim Walker, Straps, Pack, and P.I.L. band member amongst no doubt others I have forgotten at this time.
Jim Walkers first release on Donut Records, The Straps 7″single is on this site somewhere as is more Pack material. Use the search function to find these gems.
Wish someone would go through their boxes in the loft and find some photos of this band. I have none, so I replace any photos of the band with a couple of photos showing some work shy stinky squatters lazing about somewhere off the Caledonian Road, N1 circa 1979. Thank you Stewart.
HOLD THE PRESS
Mick Lugworm has found a photo to put on the site:
And Mike Clarke a flyer for (possibly) this gig uploaded.
davesexgang
November 3, 2008 at 2:10 amNice. I was at that gig and it was such an amazing night. Shit, that and Crisis at Brixton Town Hall. Or was it Southwark. What a great time to be young and fucking eager. I seem to remember seeing the Pack first at The Acklam Hall in Notting Hill for like 50 pence, which was a lot of money when you had none. Jeez, wasn’t that place a hole. We were fearless, cos that Westway was a mean, dark place at night. I have a burned CD of about 15 Pack demos that took me a long time to find cos I live at the very end of the world. Its their set but recorded with a couple of versions of Kings of Kings (and one soon to be Theater of Hate song – Legion). Also; Machineworld, Vauxhall Savage (I remember now, 2 of the Pack lived in the Vauxhall squats), Abattoir, No 12, St Theresa… It wasn’t easy to find this shit. Great fucking times, great bands…up all night, sleep all day.
Nick Hydra
July 11, 2009 at 10:22 amhttp://www.mediafire.com/file/mmzl32ndezm/Pack mp3.mp3
hi,
Thought you might be interested in this, I have no info other than it’s in Brixton in 1979.
The track list is: Saint Theresa/ Pack of Lies/ Pride and Prejudice/ Thalidomide/ British Justice/ Number Twelve/ Somewhere/ Tyburn/ heathen/ Death to Life/ Abbatoir so I guess it’s the same one mentioned above – good quality (better than the ‘official’ release), but no ‘Legion’ I’m afraid.
luggy
July 14, 2009 at 10:36 amThanks for this one, Nick. This isn’t the same gig that I taped but the quality is great! Not as much banter (but what there is great) between the songs but great clarity for something 30 years old. Where did you get it?
Dave (The Straps)
July 4, 2010 at 9:07 pmI was in The Straps with Simon & John Werner + Jim Walker after they left The Pack, basically we swapped band members with Stan & Luke going onto form TOH with Kirk. Simon John & Jim recorded 2 singles & an album between 1980 & 82 with The Straps & we toured with The Damned on the “Black Album” tour in Nov/Dec 1980.
I’ve always understood that the live “Pack” tape was recorded in Brixton, i could always call Jim to confirm ! Simon now lives in Thailand i believe & John has moved back to Vancouver & playing in his first punk band “The Furies” Jim has retired from music & writes & directs horror movies & still lives in London.
I played quite a few gigs in 78/79 with the UK Subs/ The Pack & The Straps on the same bill around South London.
Please feel free to contact me if you need anymore info
Cheers
Dave