Formation and OriginsThe Pack traces its roots back to a group called The Pack of Lies, formed by Kirk Brandon, his school friend John Fuller, and drummer Rab Fae Beith.
In 1978, the band reformed in Clapham, South London, amid the then-emerging punk scene.
The line-up solidified to include Kirk Brandon (vocals/guitar), Rab Fae Beith (drums), and two Canadian brothers, Simon Werner (guitar) and Jonathan “Jon” Werner (bass).
Music and Style
Their music was raw punk — the lyrics “were simplistic, aggressive, confused, funny and silly … much like myself at the time,” in Brandon’s own words.
Their shows were intense: according to Brandon, many gigs “ended up in mini‑riots … many venues were trashed.”
They embraced a DIY punk ethos. As Brandon put it, “The music industry would not touch The Pack … the idea of making money … was just too far-fetched … preferring instead penury bolstered by dole cheques.”
Releases
During their original run, they released two singles in 1979: “Brave New Soldiers” / “Heathen” and “King of Kings” / “No.12”.
In 1980 they issued the Kirk Brandon & The Pack of Lies EP.
After they disbanded, posthumous material was released: notably the Long Live the Past EP (1982) and a compilation called Dead Ronin in 2001.
There was also a live cassette album recorded in 1979, released later.
Breakup
The Pack originally split around 1980.
Their final show was at the 101 Club in Clapham, and it was sold out — ironically, by then “success was not an option the band was willing to take,” according to Brandon.
Legacy and Reunion
The band became somewhat of a cult act: in 2001 Dead Ronin compiled their early work.
In January 2019, almost 40 years after their last show, The Pack reunited for live shows.
For the reunion, the lineup included Brandon, Jon Werner (bass), Steve Grantley (drums, from Stiff Little Fingers), and Warren “Woz” Wilson (guitar).
The reunion was tied to a reissue:
Dead Ronin got its first vinyl release through Overground Records.
Influence on Brandon’s Career
The Pack was essentially Brandon’s entry into the music world.
After The Pack disbanded, Brandon went on to form Theatre of Hate in 1980, a post-punk/new wave band that had a more defined sound.
His time in The Pack helped shape his future work: his later bands, especially Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny, carried forward intense, political, and emotionally charged songwriting.
