Fruitier Than Thou

I was just discussing with Madam about that recent BBC production.. “Boy George.. My Part In His Downfall.”

“Who was this Kirk Brandon chap then?” I explained that he was the lead singer of a little post punk beat combo called THEATRE OF HATE whom I’d seen play a number of times in the early eighties. I explained that during one such gig I had a bit of a mishap.

It was 9th April 1981 & THEATRE OF HATE was supporting CLASSIX NOUVEAUX on their “2002 Revue” (sic) tour. The lights had gone down, stage pitch black, with the movement of indistinguishable shapes trolling around. Me & friends were at the back of the hall discussing if we liked NAKED LUNCH or not.. In the main is was not but that was more to do with the fact that they played an extended set as EYELESS IN GAZA were not able to appear (I never did find out why, but it was a disappointment) . Out of the pitch blackness of the stage came this long blast of sax… “Blimus.. They’re on!!” I ran towards the front with some others, just to get there as the lights burst on like sheet lightning.. They played for about 35 minutes, of which I spent jumping up & down, in a manner that my knees can only dream about these days, mainly engaging in cheap (accidental, honest) frottage bouncing on the back of a young lady whose aqua net laden bleach blonde bouffant had literally reduced me to tears.. As they finished their set, I went to bar to meet up with my friends, separated in the melee at the front, only to be greeted with “Yeuuch what have you done?” The combination of adrenalin & hairspray chemicals had not allowed to me to realise that my once white DELTA 5 “Mind Your Own Business” T-shirt was now RED ARROW crimson.. What had happened was, whilst I was merrily jumping up & down with my forearms on the shoulders of the lacquered young lady in front of me, I had neglected to notice that the “UK DECAY” in studs on the top of her leather jacket where actually quite sharp!! In fact like razor blades, which had shredded my forearms.. In fact for some weeks I told people I was a “real Goth”.. “Look! Regard my self abuse!!” as I rolled up my sleeves. In fact I still can see the blood stains on my copy of “Original Sin/Legion”

The other things about that gig that really stick in my mind are; Even by May 1981 it felt like the arse end of New Romanticism, but I was actually quite impressed by a couple turning up to the Guildford Civic Hall in full “Romo” gear on… Horseback! & CLASSIX NOUVEAUX finished the set with “The Robot’s Dance” where Sal Solo removed his cape to reveal underneath a flesh tone body stocking, which really did make him look like a 6” 2” cock.. & with no concern for light sensitive epilepsy sufferers, in strobes did perform the robot’s dance….

So here is THEATRE OF HATE’s first John Peel Session