The Pack Return With Summer UK Tour Dates

The origins of The Pack started with the original band the Pack Of Lies. It consisted of Kirk Brandon (Spear Of Destiny / Theatre Of Hate), John Fuller and Rab Fae Beith, they rehearsed and got the songs together at John’s uncle’s house in Stanmore. The Pack itself was formed sometime in 1978 in Clapham, South London amongst the punk anarchist scene set amongst the backdrop of the totalitarian government of Margret Thatcher, at a time when the country stood at the abyss of total chaos. Looking back, the lyrics to the songs were simplistic, aggressive, confused, funny and silly, as Kirk admits, much like himself at the time. Life consisted at the time of trying to survive on the streets and squats of the south London, the whole period was funny, violent, grim and all at the same time, the band mirrored its surroundings, so no excuses made. The band’s first gig, featured Kirk Brandon, two Canadian brothers John and Simon Werner and Rab. The gig was as much a shock to the band as to the startled filmgoers. Kirk remembers them showing Marlon Brandon in The Wild One before they went on, so we were all juiced up for some kind of riot.

“What actually happened was about 150 people with thousand yard stares stood stock-still, stunned at the power at the noise of the band – we were f**king angry! A lot of the shows The Pack played ended up in mini riots and many venues were trashed, one night we played Deptford, South London at The Crypt, I recall thinking to myself great everybody’s dancing – but only when we had finished our set everybody was still dancing – in fact they were all trying to kill each other. We left the stage as The Crypt was being deconstructed.” (Kirk Brandon)

This is a period that only now filmmakers are beginning to see the significance of. With all the violence, drugs and with one member of the band becoming religious in the end it had to implode sooner or later. The music industry would not touch The Pack with a barge pole. For the band it was a lifestyle, the idea of making money out of it was just too far fetched and in their own strange way seemed dishonest, preferring instead penury bolstered by dole cheques. The last ever gig by The Pack took place at the 101 Club in Clapham. Ironically it was completely sold out by the time the band went on stage, however, by then success was not an option the band was willing to take.

Now The Pack are back for a fresh run of UK shows this Summer. After a successful run of shows back in 2019, their first for some 40 years, The Pack will be hitting the road once more for a spate of dates in July and August 2024 including an appearance at this year’s Rebellion Festival. Tickets for all dates can be purchased here.

Live photography from The Pack‘s 2019 appearance at The Star & Garter in Manchester courtesy of Gary Hough from Shot From Both Sides