Spear Of Destiny/Jim Knights (of Scarlet Soho)

The Joiners Arms, Southampton

Spear Of Destiny in 2014 celebrate their 31st year and to mark this they have released their new album “31”. This is not as you would expect, another rehashed compilation of hits and rarities. It is a 11 track album of brand new original songs showing the excellent songwriting of frontman Kirk Brandon. This release is supported by a 16 date tour of the UK and tonight rolls into The Joiners in Southampton.

James Knights 1–2–3–4

Jim Knights; singer with Electro/Pop band Scarlet Soho opens proceedings with a short, five song seemingly unrehearsed set. Kicking off with Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy”, Jim slightly uncomfortably stands on the stage with just his electric guitar and about half a dozen people in from of him. His vocals are noticeably really well executed and his delivery on original songs “When The Lights Go Out” and Soft Cell’s “Say Hello Wave Goodbye” are worthy of a much larger audience. The set ends with Jim putting down his guitar to sing the delightful “Two Steps From Heartache” to a backing tape. A song with plenty of 80’s Electronic influences, giving the audience just a small taster of what this man is really capable of.

When “Spear Of Destiny” take to the stage the venue’s audience has swelled considerably and the band get a rapturous welcome from fans who have travelled from all over to be here tonight. The band have gone through many line up changes over the years with tonight’s featuring some notable faces including, Craig Adams on bass (Sisters of Mercy/The Mission/The Cult), Mike Kelly (The Mission) on
drums, and Adrian Portas on guitar (New Model Army/Sex Gang Children).

Spear Of Destiny 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

The band powerfully kick of with “Rainmaker” from the band’s 2nd album “One Eyed Jacks”. As I look around the room there are lots of old 40/50 something guys with smiles on their faces and sloppy grins. Kirk’s much underrated songwriting means a lot to many people. The setlist contains a nice mix of old and new songs with the songs from “31” standing up well against the older ones. One of the new songs “Here Comes the Sun” ironically sounds a lot like a song called “Rain” by one of Kirk’s old bandmates Billy Duffy of The Cult.

The band are really tight with Kirk’s voice sounding as great as ever, with the engine room of the band executing rhythm duties with power and purpose. The audience heckle the band to play a whole host of songs from their huge back catalogue and a huge cheer greets the start of the very popular “Young Men”. The band leave the stage to plenty of adulation from the delighted audience. They soon return with an excellent four song encore including “Never Take Me Alive” and “Liberator” that leaves a lasting memory of a great evening to everyone here at the Joiners.

Set List
Intro
Rainmaker
Rocket Ship
Sputnik
Titanium Man
The Wheel
Land Of Shame
Undertow
Here Comes the Sun
World Service
Cry Baby Cemetery
Come back
The Failure
Pskotik
So in Love With You
Young Men