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Spear of Destiny is a British rock band, founded in 1982 by singer and songwriter Kirk Brandon (born 3 August 1956 in London) and bassist Stan Stammers (born 19 May 1961). It has had an ever-changing line-up through the years.[1]

Spear of Destiny
London 2012
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Post-punk, alternative rock, indie rock
Years active	1982–present
Labels	S.S., Burning Rome, Epic, Virgin, Eastworld, Do-Little
Members	Craig Adams Kirk Brandon Adrian Portas Phil Martini Steve Allan Jones
Past members	Pete Barnacle Steve Barnacle Chris Bell Stevie Blanchard Chris Bostock Mark Celvallos Mickey Donnelly Robin Goodridge Lascelles James Volker Janssen John Boy Lennard John McNutt Marco Pirroni Mick Proctor Neil Pyzer Luke Rendell Art Smith Alan St. Clair Stan Stammers Dolphin Taylor Mark Thwaite Graham Wilkinson James Yardley Mike Kelly
Website	Kirk Brandon’s Website Spear of Destiny on Myspace Stan Stammers' Website

They have had 10 UK Singles Chart entries. Four reached the Top 50 but only one made the Top 20 - "Never Take Me Alive" (1987).[2]

History

Formed in 1982, the band's original line-up consisted of Kirk Brandon, Stan Stammers, Chris Bell and Lascelles James.[1] In late 1983, this line-up was superseded by Dolphin Taylor on drums, Alan St Clair on guitar, John Lennard on sax and Neil Pyzer on keyboards and additional saxophone. In 1984, John Lennard was replaced by Mickey Donnelly on saxophone.

Spear of Destiny recorded one session for John Peel (recorded 22 November 1982, transmitted on BBC Radio 1 on 29 November 1982).^{[citation needed]}

"The band played a punk-influenced form of power rock, which often had an anthemic feel."[3]

Their second album, One Eyed Jacks was released in 1984.[1] It reached No. 22 in the UK Albums Chart[4] Spear of Destiny’s reputation in the mid-1980s depended to a greater extent on their live performances.^{[citation needed]}

In 1985, their album, World Service reached the UK Top 20.

On June 22nd 1985 they were one of 5 bands supporting U2 at the Longest Day concert at the Milton Keynes Bowl. The other acts were The Faith Brothers, Billy Bragg, The Ramones and R.E.M.

Founder member Stan Stammers left in 1986.[1] In the wake of the release of the fourth album, Outland (1987) and its Top 15 hit "Never Take Me Alive", the band began achieving some chart success and staging sell-out concerts, including a support slot to U2 at Wembley Stadium. However, ill fortune struck on the eve of the band’s appearance at the Reading Festival, as Brandon developed reactive arthritis which obliged the band to put all their plans on hold for nearly a year.[5]

In addition to Brandon and Stammers, past members of the band in the 1980s included former Gillan drummer Pete Barnacle, former JoBoxers bassist Chris Bostock, former Adam and the Ants guitarist Marco Pirroni, and former Tom Robinson Band and Stiff Little Fingers drummer Dolphin Taylor.[6]

Brandon was also a member of the supergroup Dead Men Walking.

Discography

• Grapes of Wrath (1983) - UK No. 62
• One Eyed Jacks (1984) - UK No. 22
• World Service (1985) - UK No. 11
• Outland (1987) - UK No. 16
• The Price You Pay (1988) - UK No. 37
• Sod's Law (1991)
• Religion (1997)
• Volunteers (2000)
• Morning Star (2003)
• Loadestone (2005)
• Imperial Prototype (2007)
• Omega Point (2010)
• 31 (2014)
• Tontine (2018)
• Ghost Population (2022)

See also

• List of post-punk bands
• Theatre of Hate
• Kirk Brandon's 10:51

References

External links

• Kirkbrandon.com (official website)
• Stanstammers.com (official website)
• The Engine Room (the Spear of Destiny rhythm section)

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