One Eyed Jacks was the band’s 2nd release on the major label Epic Records.
For many original fans this is ‘the’ Spear of Destiny album.
Kirk Brandon has constantly held and spoken of his belief that this is a fine body of songs played by a fine bunch of musicians that was detrimentally interfered with by a record label that had no idea how to market the sound of Spear of Destiny at that time.
Many fans agree and some fans do not, as the following review confirms :-
“One of the best bands of their era with this their best album. Kirk Brandon excellent lyrics and vocals make this a must buy CD. The band at this time contained arguably one of the best rhythm sections of all time in “The Engine Room”; Stan Stammers on bass and Dolphin Taylor on drums. The driving rhythms are ageless. The songs are good, excellent or superb, this is one of those CD’s that can be put on at track one and listened through without skipping to a specific track. Even though, Prisoner of Love, Attica and Liberator are three of the best songs of the genre” Amazon Music Review
Strangely the label decided to proceed the album’s release by releasing the poppiest track on the recordings as the first single ‘Prisoner of Love’ instead of the live and DJ favourite ‘Liberator’. Had this decision not been made perhaps One Eyed Jacks would not have peaked at No.22 in the UK album charts and would have go on to become a top 10 album as SOD’s then manager had been cajoled into believing when signing the band to a major label…
35 years after releasing ‘OEJ’ Kirk Brandon and the current line up of SOD featuring Craig Adams (The Mission/Sisters of Mercy) Adrian Portas (New Model Army/Sex Gang Children) Phil Martini (Jim Jones/Wayward Sons) were given the opportunity to re-record the album in it’s entirety. Brandon’s longer term keyboard player Steve Allan Jones and current Theatre of Hate sax player Clive Osborne were drafted in to bolster the sound and the recordings are now completed and will be released on CD, Vinyl and Download in time for September 2019’s 35th Anniversary UK Tour. Brandon honestly believes these recordings will at last give the songs the history they deserve.
This SOD line up for this very special set of dates, will for the first time in an age, be expanded by adding both live keyboards and brass, the set will not only be highlighted by playing the full OEJ’s album and B-sides in full but a unique extended encore of fan favourites from the whole SOD catalogue will finish the shows.
SPEAR OF DESTINY ‘ONE EYED JACKS @35 UK TOUR SEPTEMBER 2019
Wed 4th COLCHESTER Arts Centre
Thu 5th GLASGOW Oran Mor
Fri 6th STOKE Underground
Sat 7th LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Sun 8th NORWICH Waterfront
Wed 11th SOUTHAMPTON The 1865
Thu 12th BRISTOL Fleece
Fri 13th WOKING Undercover Festival
Sat 14th BEDFORD Esquires
Sun 15th LIVERPOOL Jimmy’s
Wed 18th EXETER Phoenix Arts Centre
Thu 19th BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds
Fri 20th NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
Sat 21st MANCHESTER Gorilla
Sun 22nd HULL Polar Bear
Tue 24th SWINDON Level III
Wed 25th CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
Thu 26th NEWCASTLE The Cluny
Fri 27th BRIGHTON Boat (outdoor)
Sat 28th LONDON Under The Bridge
