The original line-up of Theatre of Hate included the charming Luke Rendle on drums(ex Crisiis, went off to develop an intense interest in dance clubs), guitarist Jonh, bassist Stan Stammers (ex Straps and Epileptics), someone called Steve Guthrie on guitar. Apparently. They made their debut at the Marquee, supporting Spizz, where Stan fell off stage. At their second gig they acauired manager Terry Razor and sought out a saxophonist, dirty bugger John Lennard, professional salgarian squash person! They released their debut single "Legion/Original Sin" featuring Kirk's post-casrati tones(the operation was a partial success) toured with The Ruts and Killing Joke, and attracted a following pretty swiftly. Quiffs a-go-go, particularly after touring with the likes off Classix Nouveaux and Blancmange who hardly offered too much by way of competition. Guthrie quit and Kirk took up the monstrously big quitar. Mick Jones produced their next single, 'Rebel Without a Brain', their live work increased, including a massive UK tour and on the famous Royal Wedding day of July 1981 they brought out 'Nero' on 12" only, an epic voyage of touturous howling. They sought a guitarist and got Billy Duffy from Lonesome No More, recorded an album which shared the same name as its proceeding single 'Do You Believe in the Westworld' and when Luke decided it was time to move on there was Nigel Preston who turned up just in time to go on Top of the Pops. Duffy didn't last all that long. There was a live album officially released as well as a Lyceum cassette if memory serves me as well as it should. But ..they did their last gig at Sheffield Poly, as a four piece, then John went back to his squash and a band called the Diodes, Nigel ended up in Sex Gang and Kirk and Stan began their plan. There was a 'Revolution' album in '82 which I don't even remember, and only recently the '10 years After' album featuring material recorded but never before heard featuring the Kirk/Stan/John Boy/Preston/Duffy line-up. Theatre of Hate were as spunky as they were spongy, and always apart from everything else which probably explains why they still attract attention. There was a six day tour in '91 including three days at the Marquee with Mark Thwaite in guitar and Peter Barnacle on drums, and more recently a UK tour with Living in Texas, culminating in a sold out Astoria gig.