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On this day, 7 March 1982, Post-punk band Theatre Of Hate played Cardiff’s Top Rank with support provided by UK Decay.
Formed in London, England, in 1980 and led by singer-songwriter Kirk Brandon (formerly of the Pack), the original group also consisted of bassist Stan Stammers (formerly of the Straps and the Epileptics), saxophonist John "Boy" Lennard, guitarist Steve Guthrie and drummer Luke Rendle (formerly of Crisis and the Straps).
In August 1981, Mick Jones of The Clash produced Westworld, Theatre of Hate's first (and only) studio album to be released prior to the band's dissolution the following year.
Guitarist Billy Duffy (formerly of The Nosebleeds) joined the band soon after the album had been recorded, and drummer Rendle was replaced by Nigel Preston.
Heralded by the Top 40 single "Do You Believe in the West World" (which afforded the new line-up the band's one appearance on Top of the Pops), Westworld was released in February 1982 by Burning Rome Records, peaking at No. 17 the following month during its seven week run in the UK Albums Chart.
Recorded in September 1981 in Berlin, the live album He Who Dares Wins was also released in February in an attempt to curtail the sale of bootlegged recordings of Theatre of Hate concerts.
Brandon went on to front Spear of Destiny with bassist Stammers. Brandon also was a founding member of the punk supergroup Dead Men Walking, while Stammers formed Plastic Eaters in 1996.
Preston played with Sex Gang Children before joining former bandmate Duffy as drummer for the Cult on their 1984 album Dreamtime. Preston later played with the Baby Snakes and the Gun Club. He died in 1992.
