Theatre Of Hate – T.O.H. Cassettes – 1981

Continuing through the collection of Jon From Bromley, we have here a fine set of songs from Theatre Of Hate, recorded at London’s Lyceum in June 1981. Not too surprisingly, the recording is far superior in sound quality and performance to the Discharge set recorded at the same venue in the same year on the post below this one. Text below ripped from wikkipidea.

Theatre of Hate were a post-punk band formed in Britain in 1980.

Led by singer-songwriter and ex-member of punk band The Pack, Kirk Brandon, the original group also consisted of: guitarist Steve Guthrie, bassist Stan Stammers (The Straps / Epileptics), saxophonist John Lennard and drummer Luke Rendle from Crisis / The Straps.

Inspired of Antonin Artaud’s book ‘Theatre and its Double’, the band took its name from the concept of the ‘Theatre of Cruelty’: “Artaud called for the emotional involvement of the audience. Singer Brandon borrowed the thespian term because “he was trying to do the same.”

The first Theatre of Hate release was the ‘Original Sin’ single released in November 1980, which reached 5 on the UK Indie Chart. Theatre of Hate garnered much early attention as a live act and after their debut 7” single release, made their album debut in 1981 with the concert LP ‘He Who Dares Wins Live at the Warehouse Leeds’.

Shortly after the album’s release however, Steve Guthrie left the band and a new guitarist Billy Duffy (formerly of The Nosebleeds) joined the band, then the drummer Luke Rendle left and was replaced by Nigel Preston.

Another concert recording, ‘Live at the Lyceum’ followed, and in August 1981 Theatre of Hate entered the studio with producer Mick Jones of The Clash to record their first non-live album debut, ‘Westworld’, which was released on February 19th 1982 and went on to reach the UK Top 20.

The album reached 17 in the UK Albums Chart, and also spawned the Top 40 single ‘Do You Believe in the Westworld’.

In February 1982, Theatre of Hate released another live album entitled ‘He Who Dares Wins: Live in Berlin’, and Billy Duffy left the band to join Death Cult, the band continuing for a short time before splitting up later that year.

9 comments

F
May 31, 2009 at 10:42 am

Wow. Had the fortune to see TOH at Northampton Cricket Club about this tyme on the ‘Blitz’ Tour with Naked Lunch, Biddy and Eve, and the noxious rubbish Classix Nouveau. TOH were beyond good and it still burns me. I really didn’t like what came later though…but hey-de-ho.
jon (ex-from bromley)
May 31, 2009 at 6:03 pm

I still think Legion is one of the best singles of all time… But never managed to find out why all the CD re-issues (of which there are many) don’t have the 7″ version on them… They seem to have either a demo, or a remix without the sax… Still awesome, but nothing beats the 7″ version.
Penguin • Post Author •
May 31, 2009 at 7:09 pm

Here you go Jon, add it to your hard – as nails – drive.

https://www.killyourpetpuppy.co.uk/news/?p=424

Ta.
Pete
June 2, 2009 at 9:10 am

I don’t know if it was this gig or not but I saw Theatre of Hate at the Lyceum around this time with The Meteors and Peter & The Test Tube Babies. I bought the “Who Dares Wins” LP and a massive poster of Kirk Brandon’s silhouette, I gave it away a few years later much to my present annoyance…….
David
June 12, 2009 at 1:03 am

Anyone know if this was the concert with Classix Nouveaux and Biddy and Eve supporting? If so, I have it on video… I shot the whole evening (all three acts) but the sound is not great – but the pictures are great…If it is the same show I could synch up this audio with my video… that would be interesting. Any info on the concert I shot would be great… I’ve forgotten where and when I shot it! (If you’re interested I’m posting a lot of my vids from the 80s on YouTube – check out my my channel – R4949 – Rare stuff I shot of the Mo-Dettes, Peter Godwin, Classix Nouveaux, etc…
paul
June 19, 2009 at 10:11 pm

david.
no its not mate its from the March of the Conquistador Tour in June of 81.
with Creation Rebel / Martian Dance / ANL
the 2002 review concert TOH and Classix was January of 81 and also
TOH with Classix Nouveaux was the 2002 Review Tour in March and April of 81.
i have all the dates from that tour if it helps mate?
are TOH on the video you shot? that would be interesting!
kowboy
December 5, 2010 at 4:02 pm

long time since I have heard this..picked this cassette up at the leeds futuramma weekend gig..which theatre of hate where powerful..and a very long belated thankz goes out to there london following..who looked out for us young scots down there .. extra shout to SOAPY??

C/NAULD FOLLOWERS
X
Nasty neale
December 11, 2010 at 10:35 pm

Hi there kowboy,I was one of the London mob who battled any jock hating goofy thugs that day with soapy,al,bob,madge,black Roy,Jon,Simon,jonna,et al.
Mark / Chip
January 11, 2024 at 12:45 am

@Nasty Neale, long time no see, this is Chip the 14 year old smallest member of the TOH, Martian Dance, and Wowzer boot boys 😆 I was there with you & Roy etc at the Queens Hall Leeds gig in Sept 1981, great one wasn’t it 😉 Still going to TOH with Roy, Al, etc. Hope you’re well x