Killing Joke

This article is about the musical group. For other uses, see The Killing Joke (disambiguation).

Killing Joke
(l-r) Guitarist Geordie Walker, vocalist Jaz Coleman, returning drummer Paul Ferguson, and bassist Martin "Youth" Glover
Background information
Origin	Notting Hill, London, England
Genres	Post-punk,[1] new wave,[2] gothic rock,[3][4] industrial,[5] alternative rock,[5] heavy metal[6]
Years active	1978–1996, 2002–present
Labels	Candlelight, Cooking Vinyl, Zuma Recordings, Butterfly, Invisible, E.G., Malicious Damage
Website	killingjoke.com
Members
Jaz Coleman Kevin "Geordie" Walker Martin "Youth" Glover Paul Ferguson Reza Udhin
Past members
Paul Raven Ben Calvert Geoffrey Dugmore Nick Holywell-Walker Martin Atkins Dave Kovacevic Ted Parsons Dave 'Taif' Ball Dave Grohl Troy Gregory Joe Mojica

Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England;^[1][7] other sources report the band formed in early 1979.^{[8][9][10][11]} Founding members Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Geordie Walker (guitars) have been the only constant members.

A key influence on industrial rock,^[12] their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan^[13] as "quasi-metal ... dancing to a tune of doom and gloom", which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synth-pop, gothic rock,^[14][4] and alternative rock,^[6][15] though always emphasising Coleman's "savagely strident vocals."^[12]

Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Porcupine Tree, Napalm Death, Behemoth, Amebix, Big Black, Opeth, Murderdolls, Godflesh, Hole, Dead by April, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Franz Ferdinand, Primus, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Blacklist, Shihad, Pitchshifter, Das Oath, Rammstein, and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to Killing Joke.^{[9][16][17][18]}

History

1978–1982

"Big" Paul Ferguson was drummer in the Matt Stagger Band when he met Jeremy "Jaz" Coleman (from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire) in Notting Hill, London. In October 1978 (or early 1979), after Coleman was briefly keyboard player in that band, he and Ferguson left to form Killing Joke. They placed an advertisement in the music press which attracted guitarist Kevin "Geordie" Walker and bassist Martin "Youth" Glover. According to Coleman, their manifesto was to "define the exquisite beauty of the atomic age in terms of style, sound and form".^[8]

By September 1979, shortly before the release of their debut EP, Turn to Red, they began the Malicious Damage record label with graphic artist Mike Coles as a way to press and sell their music;^[19] Island Records distributed the records, until Malicious Damage switched to E.G. Records (then aligned with Virgin Records) in 1980. The songs on Killing Joke's early singles were primitive punk rock sometimes mixed with electronic ("Nervous System" and "Turn to Red"). Turn to Red came to the attention of legendary DJ John Peel, who was keen to champion the band's urgent new sound and gave them extensive airplay. They quickly progressed this sound into something denser, more aggressive, and more akin to heavy metal, as heard on their first two albums, Killing Joke (1980) and the more abrasive What's THIS For...! (1981). They toured extensively throughout the UK during this time, and both fans of post punk and heavy metal took interest in Killing Joke through singles such as "Follow the Leaders" (1981).^[8]

Killing Joke became notorious largely due to the controversies that arose from their imagery. Typically the images that appeared on their records and on-stage while performing live were bizarre and potentially shocking and inflammatory. One promotion poster featured a photo of a priest walking among rows of soldiers offering Fascist salutes, which was later used for the cover of the band's compilation album, Laugh? I Nearly Bought One!. Shortly afterwards, the band was banned from performing a concert in Glasgow, Scotland. At the same time, some journalists were suspicious about Killing Joke's image and wrote that "Killing Joke's music includes certain fascist tendencies...". Killing Joke had various 'run-ins' with a number of music journalists at the time.

Killing Joke's third album, Revelations, produced by Conny Plank, was released in 1982, and supported by a pair of performances on BBC Radio's The John Peel Show and by the singles "Chop-Chop", "Empire Song", and an unofficial release of "We Have Joy". The LP reached #12 in the UK Top albums.^[8]

By 1982, members of Killing Joke, especially Coleman, had become immersed in the occult, particularly the works of occultist Aleister Crowley. In February of that year, Coleman, with Geordie and Youth following shortly after, moved to Iceland to survive the Apocalypse, which Coleman predicted was coming soon. While in Iceland, Coleman and Geordie worked with musicians from the band Þeyr in the project Niceland. After a few months, Youth decided there was no indication of the Apocalypse, and decided to move back to England. Youth then began the band Brilliant with Paul Ferguson, but the latter defected and travelled to Iceland to rejoin Killing Joke with new bassist Paul Raven (previously of Neon Hearts and the rock / glam band Kitsch) in tow. After spending some time in Iceland, Killing Joke returned to England and began touring and recording again.

The new line-up soon produced, again with Conny Plank, the single "Birds of a Feather / Sun Goes Down / Flock the B-Side" and Ha!, a six-track 10" EP of a live performance recorded live at Larry's Hideaway in Toronto in August.

1983–1988

Killing Joke's fourth album, Fire Dances (1983), contained music that, like that heard on the "Birds of a Feather" single, was artier and relatively calmer than before, which began a new direction. This was continued with the non LP singles "Me or You" (1983, b/w "Wilful Days") and "A New Day" (1984, b/w a dance remix or dub mix of the same), the latter promoted with a music video.^[8]

Mixing their sound with a slightly pop style, and with Coleman singing and not growling, Killing Joke had developed a variation of new wave on their fifth album, Night Time (1985). They achieved mainstream success with the single "Love Like Blood" which covered all ground from goth^[20] to dance : it peaked at #16 in the UK and #8 in the Netherlands. Night Time also included the singles "Eighties" (1984) and "Kings and Queens" (1985), which both reached the UK Top 75. The album itself reached #11 in the UK.^[8]

The music on Killing Joke's sixth album, Brighter than a Thousand Suns (1986), was mostly similar in sound and mood to "Love like Blood". While no less aggressive and heavy than their older work, Brighter Than a Thousand Suns diverged musically in ways that lead to controversy among listeners. In this case, disagreements between fans and critics alike included opinions on whether the band was conforming with pressures from EG Records to develop a more commercial sound, to whether the songs were relevant for those listeners more comfortable with their proto post-punk beginnings. Those who are strongly approving of the work consider it a milestone - and quite intense - progressive rock album, and their most consistent work to date. Two singles were released from the album - "Adorations" and "Sanity" - and the band continued touring successfully until the end of the year.^[8]

In 1987, Coleman began plans for a solo record of unusual music, and he made demos of his songs, on which he performed with Geordie's assistance. The project ran way over budget and so, despite Coleman's objections, the record company decided that the music would be released under the name "Killing Joke" in order to best recoup the costs. Attempts were made to include Killing Joke rhythm section members Raven and Ferguson, but it didn't work out, and tensions ultimately led to both being dismissed from the band. Session player Jimmy Copley was then brought in to provide the drumming on the songs, along with percussion player Jeff Scantlebury.

The resulting album, Outside the Gate (1988), is Killing Joke's most controversial album, with opinion ranging from admiration to total disgust, owing to its synth-led sonics and disagreement over the quality of the material. It is not signature-sound Killing Joke, being built around Coleman's orchestral keyboards instead of Geordie's distinctive guitar riffs, which were all but drowned out in the final mix. Had the album been released as "Coleman/Walker" (as the cover graphic implies) it might have been better received. Released as "Killing Joke", it was panned by confused critics and fans alike. Two singles, "America" and "My Love of This Land", were released from the album but did little to improve its fortunes. The video for the former features Coleman and Geordie with drummer Jimmy Copley and session bassist Jerome Rimson, who never actually recorded with the band.^[21] No live dates were played to support the album and the band spent much of 1988 in a legal battle as they tried to split from their management and record company, E.G. This struggle resulted in Coleman suffering a nervous breakdown.

On 19 September 1987 Coleman had delivered a lecture at London's Courtauld Institute outlining the thinking behind the then-unreleased Outside the Gate album, touching on numerology and the occult. Geordie and percussionist Jeff Scantlebury provided a minimal musical backing at the event. A recording of the lecture was eventually released under the title The Courtauld Talks on Martin Atkins' Invisible Records in 1989.

1989–1991

Towards the end of 1988, Coleman and Geordie decided to get Killing Joke up and running again as a live band, and they began looking for full-time bass players and drummers. First on board was drummer Martin Atkins, who had gained notability in Public Image Ltd. and later Ministry and Pigface. A suitable bass player proved more difficult. Former Smiths man Andy Rourke was hired, then dismissed after only three days. Eventually the band settled on Welsh bass player Dave "Taif" Ball, and played their first gigs in almost two years in December 1988.^[22] These were seen as a return to form, and featured the best of their 1980 to 1985 work, alongside powerful new material which alluded to the band's earlier, harsher sound. Nothing from Brighter Than a Thousand Suns or Outside the Gate was played (and indeed, never has been since). Touring continued across the UK, Europe and the US until August 1989, when the band took a break to record its new material in Germany, and to allow Jaz Coleman time to record Songs from the Victorious City with Anne Dudley of Art of Noise, which was released the following year.

For reasons which remain unclear, the German Killing Joke sessions were shelved and bass player Taif left the band to be replaced by old hand Paul Raven. The revised line-up began recording again, this time in London, and the result was Killing Joke's eighth album, the ferocious Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions, released on the German Noise International label in 1990. It included some of the heaviest, noisiest and harshest music ever to appear on a Killing Joke record, although the progressive musical spirit of the previous two albums remained as well. The many highlights included "Solitude", "Slipstream", "Age of Greed" and the single "Money Is Not Our God". Once again, the band toured Europe and North America, but by the middle of 1991 this promising new line-up had imploded. Coleman emigrated to New Zealand to live on a remote Pacific island, and it looked as though Killing Joke was over for good.

Geordie Walker, Martin Atkins, Paul Ferguson, Paul Raven and the band's live keyboard player John Bechdel (Ministry, Fear Factory, Prong, Pigface, Abstinence, False Icons, Ascension of the Watchers) added Scottish vocalist Chris Connelly (Finitribe, Revolting Cocks) and continued as the short-lived Murder, Inc., releasing a self-titled album in 1992.

1992–1996

Youth and Jaz (1994)

A Killing Joke anthology, Laugh? I Nearly Bought One!, was released in 1992, and during its production, Geordie was re-acquainted with Youth, who suggested that they reform the band with himself back on bass. That same year, two singles (on cassette and CD) appeared featuring the early songs "Change" and "Wardance" in several new versions remixed by Youth, by then a very successful producer.

Coleman had produced the 1993 debut album Churn by the New Zealand Band Shihad and Shihad drummer Tom Larkin played drums on some of the songs on Pandemonium. Relations later soured between Coleman and Shihad due to a dispute over Coleman's production fee for Churn, and the fact that Shihad considered him a "megalomaniac". Shihad's second album, 1995's Killjoy, includes a song about Coleman and the dispute: 'Silvercup'. Coleman has also made a number of disparaging remarks about Shihad in the media. Shihad singer and guitarist Jon Toogood says his band have since put the dispute behind them.

Killing Joke also sued Nirvana during this phase, alleging that the riff for the latter's song "Come as You Are" was copied from the riff for their song "Eighties".^[10][11] The lawsuit was dropped after the sudden death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.^[23]

The reactivated Killing Joke released two strong and well-received albums on Youth's Butterfly Recordings label, Pandemonium and Democracy, which saw the band shift back to the simpler arrangements of their early albums whilst also (on 12 inch remixes) employ young talent, the likes of Waxworth Industries in order to provide an alternative inroad to the bands new and evolving sound. Pandemonium (1994) wove a metallesque ritualistic sound with mosh beats and loops and provided Killing Joke with a memorable Top of the Pops performance for the single 'Millennium', which was a UK Top 40 hit (the album itself made the Top 20). The title track was also released as a single and made the UK Top 30. Democracy (1996) successfully introduced acoustic guitar into the mix, as well as adopting more of a "live band" sound again. The title track was again released as a single and made the UK Top 40. Much of Pandemonium and all of Democracy featured session drummer Geoff Dugmore. He also played live with the band throughout this era. Nick Holywell-Walker joined the band on keyboards and programming for 11 years from 1994–2005, notably on Democracy and XXV Gathering (live). Youth bowed out of live performance early in the Democracy tour and was replaced by Troy Gregory, ex Prong.^[8]

After the Democracy tour, the band went on an extended hiatus. Jaz Coleman and Youth produced a string of well-received orchestral rock albums based on the music of legends such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Doors. Coleman became Composer-in-Residence for New Zealand and Czech symphony orchestras.^[24][25] He seems to have become something of a celebrity in the Czech Republic and made his acting debut with the main role in the film Rok ďábla (Year of the Devil) by Czech filmmaker Petr Zelenka (who later would direct the video for "Hosannas from the Basements of Hell").^[9]

2002–2007

Coleman, Geordie and Youth reformed Killing Joke in 2002, and recorded their second self-titled album. Produced by Andy Gill and released to much acclaim in 2003 on the Zuma/Sony label, it was heralded as a powerful addition to Extremities and other visceral 1990s albums, and considered one of their finest recordings. In 2003 the band played at the biggest open-air festival in Europe (400.000 - 500.000 rock fans every year) - Przystanek Woodstock^[26] in Poland.The War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq were cited as major factors in their reforming, and this is reflected in the lyrical content of much of the album, based on themes of war, government control and Armageddon. The album, which almost reached the UK Top 40, was their heaviest to date and spawned two singles, "Loose Cannon" (a UK Top 25 hit) and "Seeing Red". The songs are all credited to Coleman/Walker/Glover/Gill, although Raven's name is also on the list of musicians on the liner notes, marking his return to the band after more than a decade. It remains unclear who actually played bass on which tracks on the album, and in some interviews with Geordie, he hints that it may have been he who actually played bass on most of the songs, with occasional contributions from Youth. Raven played on the subsequent tour, with Youth appearing to have retired from the band by this point. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Probot, Them Crooked Vultures), a longtime fan of the band, occupied the drum stool for all tracks. The original plan had been to use many different drummers on the album, including Grohl, but he was so enthusiastic about the material that he persuaded the band to let him do the whole thing. The album was accompanied by a tour of the United States, Europe and Australia in 2003/2004, with ex-Prong drummer Ted Parsons on board.

In February 2005, now with young Twin Zero and Sack Trick drummer Ben Calvert, Killing Joke played two consecutive shows at London's Shepherds Bush Empire to commemorate their 25th anniversary. DVD and CD recordings from these concerts were released in on Cooking Vinyl in the fall of 2005 as XXV Gathering: The Band That Preys Together Stays Together.

In June 2005, remastered and expanded editions of their two 1990s Butterfly Recordings albums, Pandemonium and Democracy, were released by Cooking Vinyl. These were followed in July by their first four albums (Killing Joke to Ha!) on EMI, who by then owned the E.G. Records catalogue. (The second batch of EMI remasters would not appear until January 2008.)

In mid-2005, Frontman from Industrial band, INERTIA, Reza Udhin, joins the band on Keyboards and they supported the British leg of Mötley Crüe's world tour and then began work on their next album in Prague. It was at this time the contribution to the world of rock was recognised when they were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 Kerrang Awards.

Opting for simplicity and raw energy, the band recorded the new album in the basement rehearsal space of Faust Studios, going for live takes with the minimum of overdubs. The result was Hosannas from the Basements of Hell, released in April 2006 on Cooking Vinyl, which made the UK Top 75.

Killing Joke began a European tour in support of the album in April 2006. Bass player Paul Raven abruptly departed after a few dates to tour with Ministry and was temporarily replaced by Kneill Brown. The tour included an appearance headlining the MySpace stage of the Download Festival on 10 June 2006, which received four K's from Kerrang! magazine. Other highlights of the summer included a memorable set in Japan at the Fuji Rock festival where there were joined on stage by Orb frontman Alex Paterson (once a Killing Joke drum roadie) and headlining the Beautiful Days festival in the UK. The band's momentum suffered another blow, when health problems caused the autumn leg of the tour to be cancelled.

In October 2006, it was announced that Coleman had been chosen as Composer in Residence for the European Union. As Composer in Residence he will be commissioned to write music for special occasions.^[24][25]

Early in 2007, Killing Joke released three archival collections via Candlelight Records. The first, Inside Extremities, is a double CD of material taken from the band's preparations for the Extremities album: rehearsals, rare mixes, a previously unheard track, "The Fanatic", and a full live show from the Extremities tour.^[27] This was followed by Bootleg Vinyl Archive Volumes 1 & 2, each of which is a 3 CD box set of live-in-concert bootleg recordings originally released on vinyl in the 1980s, plus the Astoria gig from the Pandemonium tour which was voted one of the greatest gigs of all time by Kerrang.^[28]

In October 2007, the classic 1990 album Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions, which had long been out of print, was reissued in remastered form on Candlelight Records.

On 20 October, Paul Raven died of heart failure prior to a recording session in Geneva, Switzerland.^{[29][30][31][32][33][34]} In his honour, Coleman composed a lament for a 21st century Englishman (The Night Raven, the Tower and the Cenotaph).

On 28 January 2008 the albums Fire Dances, Night Time, Brighter than a Thousand Suns, and Outside the Gate were finally re-issued in remastered form with bonus tracks by EMI. Each of these carries the message "Dedicated to our brother Paul Vincent Raven 1961–2007".

2008–present

Killing Joke plays live in Paris during the 2008 tour (Le Trabendo, 27 September 2008).

After the death of Paul Raven, the original line up of Jaz, Youth, Geordie and Paul Ferguson announced they were to reunite. Coleman told Terrorizer magazine that:

"Everything came together when we all met at...Raven's funeral. It was funny the unifying effect it had on all of us. It made us realise our mortality and how important Killing Joke is to all of us."^[35]

The original line-up of Killing Joke assembled in Granada, Spain, to prepare a world tour consisting of two nights in various capital cities of the world, playing a programme of four complete albums. The rehearsals will be immortalised on Duende - The Spanish Sessions, released in 2008 on Estworld Recordings. The first nights were dedicated to their first two albums, Killing Joke and What's THIS For...!, while the second night featured large parts of 'Pandemonium' plus some early singles released on Island records. The world tour began on 11 September in Tokyo and concluded in Chicago on 14 October.^[36]

Killing Joke performing at the 2009 Ilosaarirock festival.

Killing Joke released an album of radio session recordings, "The Peel Sessions 1979-1981", on 8 September 2008. This is the second time all 17 tracks were released in their live session form. According to Discogs.com, the tracks on this disc were originally unofficially released as a CD-R by Pontiac Records, entitled Unspeakable.^[37] Legal distribution outside of concerts did not apply, and only 1000 copies were sold in 1985 at Top of the Pops, when Killing Joke performed Love Like Blood.^{[citation needed]}

The band continued its reformation by playing the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in May 2009. They performed at the Sonisphere festival in Knebworth, UK on 2 August^[38] and headlined the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.^[39] Killing Joke performed in The Big Top Tent at the 2009 Isle Of Wight Festival after being hand picked by Tim Burgess, frontman for The Charlatans.^[40]

In October–November, Killing Joke record their new CD with the original line-up. All members of Killing Joke have commented that this is the single most important work that Killing Joke have ever done. The new album was released on 27 September 2010 in the United Kingdom and Japan, and on 1 October in Europe on Spinefarm Records under the title Absolute Dissent, marking the 30th Anniversary for Killing Joke.^[41] It was preceded by the In Excelsis EP released on 23 June 2010, and followed by a tour in the UK, Europe and North America for promoting the album.

In November, the band was honoured with the trophy for Innovator at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2010 marking their unique evolution of sound over the last 30 plus years which has incorporated electronic, synth and alternative rock and influenced a generation of rock acts including Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More and Tool. They were awarded the honour at the Roundhouse in London by long time fan of the band Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.^[42] On 26 November 2010 Killing Joke released a special edition Record Store Day Black Friday 2-CD set called, Absolute Dissent (Deluxe Edition) for independent record stores.^[43]

The bands new album was critically acclaimed all round and they embarked on a European and UK tour culminating in a performance at the Hammersmith Apollo London. This was followed by a performance at Londons Royal Festival Hall in the New Year which was recorded for an upcoming live album and a headlinde slot at the UK's largest urban festival the Camden Crawl. The band were also honoured at The Metal Hammer annual awards receiving The Album of the Year. Summer festivals followed including a memorable performance at Sonisphere Knebworth with the band retiring to Spain to record a new album for 2012.

Discography

Main article: Killing Joke discography

Studio albums

• Killing Joke (1980)
• What's THIS For...! (1981)
• Revelations (1982)
• Fire Dances (1983)
• Night Time (1985)
• Brighter than a Thousand Suns (1986)
• Outside the Gate (1988)
• The Courtauld Talks (1989)
• Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions (1990)
• Pandemonium (1994)
• Democracy (1996)
• Killing Joke (2003)
• Hosannas from the Basements of Hell (2006)
• Absolute Dissent (2010)

Films

Killing Joke are the subject of a feature length documentary film The Death and Resurrection Show scheduled for release in 2012. Two preview trailers have been released combining archive footage of Killing Joke over the last 31 years with new and unseen footage of recent live tours, recording sessions including the Great Pyramid and interview subjects including Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Youth, Jimmy Page, Peter Hook, Chris Kimsey, Mike Coles, Dave Grohl, Alex Patterson and Laurence Gardner discussing Killing Joke, UFOs, mysticism, religion and the end of the world. Locations featured in the trailers include the Egyptian Pyramids, the Nazca Lines in Peru, Snæfellsjökull glacier in Iceland, Iona in Scotland, Glastonbury Tor in England and numerous venues, bars, outdoor locations and rainforests in New Zealand, LA and England. The film is produced by New Zealand's ILC Productions, UK indie Coffee Films and Jaz Coleman, with filmmaker, photographer and lifelong Gatherer Shaun Pettigrew directing.^[44]

Side projects

• Niceland
• Brilliant
• Pigface
• Murder, Inc.
• The Damage Manual
• Transmission
• The Fireman
• Inertia^[45]

Influence

• In 1982 the Canadian dark synthpop band named themselves Psyche after the B-Side of Killing Joke's "Wardance" single although the spelling on the single was Pssyche.
• Also in 1982, GC Green & Paul Neville first came together as Fall of Because, named after the first track on What's THIS For...! and were later joined by Justin Broadrick, setting the foundations of Godflesh, who covered "Requiem" live, with Raven on bass.^[46]
• Justin K. Broadrick cited Killing joke as an important influence in his use of melodies in his music.
• In 1987, Metallica covered Killing Joke's "The Wait" for their E.P. Garage Days Re-Revisited. James Hetfield picked Jaz as one of his top 20 favourite singer for a poll in Rolling Stone.^[47]
• In some early interviews, the members of Soundgarden cited Killing Joke as one of the bands they listen to most.^[16][17]
• In 1989, German gothic band Love Like Blood covered the name-giving track on the Love Like Blood EP and on the Snakekiller album.
• The main riff of Nirvana's song "Come as You Are" bears a striking resemblance to the riff of Killing Joke's single, "Eighties". The band did not file a copyright infringement lawsuit, which, according to Rolling Stone, was "due to personal and financial reasons."
• In 1993, Helmet covered Killing Joke's "Primitive" for the B-side to the single "Born Annoying".
• In 1993, Econoline Crush covered Killing Joke's "Psyche" (a B-side from their "Wardance" single) for their Purge EP.
• In 1994, Hoppy Kamiyama used a looped sample from "Exit" that was used in his God Mountain Orchestra project on the track "Lebanon", released on the Japanese compilation, "Neu Konservatiw".
• In 1995, Icehouse covered "Love like Blood" on their album The Berlin Tapes.
• In 1997, the Foo Fighters covered Killing Joke's "Requiem" for the B-side to the single "Everlong". Dave Grohl, leader and guitarist of Foo Fighters, played drums for the recording sessions of Killing Joke's second self-titled album in 2003.
• In 2001, Amen covered Killing Joke's "Europe" during a session on BBC Radio One in 2001. The recording of this song was later the B-side for their single "Too Hard to Be Free".
• In 2001, The Mad Capsule Markets covered Killing Joke's "Wardance" on their album 010.
• In 2002, Blacklight (Oliver Heydt, Olaf Wollschäger) made a double 12" with their five remixed versions of "Love Like Blood".
• In 2002, Finnish band Kotiteollisuus released an EP ±0 containing a "Tappava Pila remix" of their song "Valtakunta", meaning 'killing joke remix', as tribute to Killing Joke's "Millenium".

Kotiteollisuus is also on the Killing Joke Tribute-album, with their Finnish language cover of "Pandemonium".

• In 2002, LCD Soundsystem released "Losing My Edge" which is based around b-side "Change".^[48]
• In 2003, German band blackmail covered "Love Like Blood". It was released as a download track on their homepage and as a bonus track on the Japan edition of their album Friend Or Foe? as well.
• In 2003, the German death metal band Disbelief covered "Democracy" on the album Spreading the Rage.
• In 2004, Nouvelle Vague covered "Psyche" on their self-titled debut album.
• In 2005, Swiss band MXD covered "Pandemonium" on their album Frustration Is Fuel.
• In 2005, Fear Factory covered Killing Joke's "Millennium" on their album Transgression.
• In 2009, Swiss cyber-metallers Sybreed covered "Love Like Blood" on their album The Pulse of Awakening.
• In 2009 Behemoth (band) covered Killing Joke's "Total Invasion" off of their 2003 self titled album Killing Joke.
• Other professed fans of Killing Joke include Ministry, Amebix, Front Line Assembly, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Melvins, Faith No More, KMFDM, The Complications, The Freeze, Born Dead Icons, Godflesh, Napalm Death, Jesu, Mr. Bungle, VX, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, I Am Spoonbender, Primus, Queen Adreena, Jello Biafra, Prong, The Red Star Ritual, Burning Image, The Process Void, Big Black, Lycia, Shitakke Fiddlefaddle, Ikon, Whispers in the Shadow, Morgoth, Project 86 and Soulwax.
• A Killing Joke tribute album by some of the most famous artists such as Foo Fighters, Metallica, and many others was released as the second CD of the Deluxe Edition of Absolute Dissent.

See also

• Wikipedia books: Killing Joke

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Killing Joke discography at Discogs
2. ^ What's THIS for...! at Discogs (list of releases)
3. ^ NME. Release The Bats - It's The 20 Greatest Goth Tracks. By Luke Lewis «  11. Killing Joke – Love Like Blood Aligning love and sex with blood is a standard goth trope, but Jaz Coleman's lyrics always cut deeper than the usual 'doomed romance' cliches. On this 1985 single, one of the few times KJ ever troubled 'Top Of The Pops', he uses martial imagery to create a sense of apocalyptic struggle.
   Most gothic moment: "Strength and beauty destined to decay". »
4. ^ ^{a b} Murray, Robin. "Killing Joke 2010 Uk Shows". Clash (magazine). « One of the first bands to be labelled 'gothic' Killing Joke helped inspire a movement that has travelled across the world. »
5. ^ ^{a b} "Extremities at Discogs.com". http://www.discogs.com/Killing-Joke-Extremities-Dirt-And-Various-Repressed-Emotions/master/15828. Retrieved 18 November 2009. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Pandemonium". http://www.discogs.com/Killing-Joke-Pandemonium/master/15856. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
7. ^ Joke "Killing Joke at Last.fm". http://www.last.fm/music/Killing Joke. Retrieved 25 February 2009. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Hightower, Laura; Leigh Ann DeRemer (2001). "Killing Joke". Contemporary Musicians. Profiles of the people in music / Volume 30. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research. ISBN 0787646415. OCLC 51547697. 
9. ^ ^{a b c} Kyselka, Mike. "We’re all gonna die!". Prague Pill (Prague: Impuls CR) (5). "In 1979 he founded Killing Joke, whose heavy sound influenced Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails and Ministry." 
   Related news articles:
   • "Prague TV: "We’re all gonna die!"" (PHP). Prague TV. http://prague.tv/print/article.php?name=coleman. Retrieved 15 February 2008. 
10. ^ ^{a b} "Conspiracy of two". Kerrang!. 2003. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071214052447/http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/articles/current/kerrang120403.html. Retrieved 7 January 2008. 
11. ^ ^{a b} Borzillo-Vrenna, Carrie (10 April 2003). "Nirvana Pay Back Killing Joke: Killing Joke : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/killingjoke/articles/story/5936629/nirvana_pay_back_killing_joke. Retrieved 7 January 2008. "Twelve years after Nirvana borrowed heavily from Killing Joke's "Eighties" to create "Come as You Are", the reunited U.K. band is borrowing the defunct Seattle band's drummer to make its first studio album in seven years." 
12. ^ ^{a b} "Killing Joke". TrouserPress.com. http://trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=killing_joke. Retrieved 26 July 2008. 
13. ^ Erlewine, Thomas; John Dougan. "Killing Joke > Overview". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4677. Retrieved 26 July 2008. 
14. ^ NME. "Release The Bats - It's The 20 Greatest Goth Tracks" By Luke Lewis «  11. Killing Joke – Love Like Blood Aligning love and sex with blood is a standard goth trope, but Jaz Coleman's lyrics always cut deeper than the usual 'doomed romance' cliches. On this 1985 single, one of the few times KJ ever troubled 'Top Of The Pops', he uses martial imagery to create a sense of apocalyptic struggle.
    Most gothic moment: "Strength and beauty destined to decay". »
15. ^ "Outside the Gate". http://www.discogs.com/Killing-Joke-Outside-The-Gate/master/16069. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
16. ^ ^{a b} "Kashmir". Sounds (Olympia, Wash: South Puget Sound Community College). 13 May 1989. OCLC 42326010. "Kim: "When we started the band we were all listening to hardcore and new wave: The Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Husker Du, Joy Division, Wire, Killing Joke, Bauhaus. At that time, in Seattle, The Melvins were slowing down their music. Malfunkshun, Green River and Soundgarden, all the bands that had started playing fast, started to slow down. This is, like, 1984 and everyone was sick of trying to be Minor Threat."" 
    Related news articles:
    • "Unofficial SG Homepage: Articles: Sounds, May 13, 1989". startgate.net. http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/sounds_5-13-89.shtml. Retrieved 15 February 2008. 
17. ^ ^{a b} "Haughty Culture". Kerrang! (Gladesville, N.S.W.: EMAP Australia). 8 April 1989. OCLC 173405184. "The name Soundgarden ("Not intentionally meant to throw people off", laughs Kim) is supposed to represent the many roots of the group's style, a virtual plethora of cutting edge rock that spans Sabbath, Velvet Underground, Meat Puppets and Killing Joke. There's some Zep and some Metallica; Gothicism and sublime poetry. The almost ethereal flavour of the name betrays the brutality of the music but never pins Soundgarden in one corner." 
    Related news articles:
    • "Unofficial SG Homepage: Articles: KERRANG!, April 8, 1989" (SHTML). startgate.net. http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/kerr_4-8-89.shtml. Retrieved 15 February 2008. 
18. ^ "Official Sonisphere Festival UK – 2012 – Knebworth House, 6 – 8 July 2012". Uk.sonispherefestival.net. http://uk.sonispherefestival.net/2009/08/killer-covers/. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
19. ^ "Malicious Damage". Malicious Damage. http://www.maliciousdamage.biz/. Retrieved 15 February 2008. 
20. ^ Fun & Games: Killing Joke in the mid-‘80s by Adrien Begrand, PopMatters.com. « Punk, goth, new wave, dance, pop, “Love Like Blood” covers all that ground with astonishing grace.  »
21. ^ "JEROME RIMSON: Bass Guitarist, Author of the book RENEGADE". Phil Brodie Band. http://philbrodieband.com/muso_jerome-rimson.htm. Retrieved 15 February 2008. 
22. ^ "taif-bass: Killing Joke" (CFM). taif.co.uk. http://www.taif.co.uk/taifbass/index.cfm?page=biog&more=6. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
23. ^ "Interview with Killing Joke's Geordie". BBC Manchester. 2003. http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/music/2003/07/24/killing_interview.shtml. Retrieved 7 January 2008. 
24. ^ ^{a b} Bennett, J.. "Killing Joke" (ASPX). Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071016193752/http://decibelmagazine.com/features/jul2007/killingjoke.aspx. Retrieved 7 January 2008. "Coleman is a Composer in Residence to the Prague Symphony Orchestra, the nation of New Zealand and, as of October 2006, the entire European Union." 
25. ^ ^{a b} "Paul Raven". Telegraph (London: R. Bostock). 22 October 2007. OCLC 11251885. "Coleman is presently Composer in Residence to the European Union." 
    Related news articles:
    • "London Telegraph 22 October 2007". anirrationaldomain.net. http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/articles/raven/telegraph22Oct2007.htm. Retrieved 8 January 2008. 
26. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
27. ^ "Rarities release for Killing Joke" (PHP). LATEST NEWS. SIDE-LINE.com. 21 March 2007. http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=21492_0_2_0_C. Retrieved 15 February 2008. "Killing Joke just released the double album "Inside Extremities" via Candlelight Records. On this double CD you find Killing Joke material taken from the band's preparation for the "Extremities" album, rare mixes, a previously unheard track "The Fanatic" and a full live show from the Extremities tour. The track list displays a journey through the making of this album and beyond. The release contains 100% previously unreleased material with the exception of one track which was previously on a flexi disc only." 
28. ^ "A UK Heavy metal specialist publication". rocklist.net. http://www.rocklist.net/kerrang_p2.htm#gigs. Retrieved 15 February 2008. "70. Killing Joke ~ The Astoria, London 20 April 1994" 
29. ^ "Killing Joke bassist Raven dies". BBC News. 22 October 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7056986.stm. Retrieved 24 October 2007. 
30. ^ Killing Joke. "Killing Joke - Official site!". Killing Joke. http://www.killingjoke.com/killingjoke_home.html. Retrieved 15 February 2008. "Our beloved Paul Raven died unexpectedly of a heart attack in Geneva in the early hours of Saturday 20 October 2007. Paul went to bed and did not wake up.
    
    Jaz Coleman - Geordie Walker, front man and Guitarist of Killing Joke:
    
    We are all deeply stricken with grief at the unannounced departure of possibly the funniest man on planet Earth and a brother to us all. Paul Vincent Raven unimaginable sadness is felt by all If you wish to leave a message of respect and condolence, please do so at the Killing Joke MySpace." 
    Related news articles:
    • Killing Joke. "Paul raven tribute gallery". Killing Joke. http://www.killingjoke.com/killingjoke_gallery_raven.htm. Retrieved 15 February 2008. 
31. ^ "Paul Raven - Tribute Page". thirteenthplanet.com. http://www.thirteenthplanet.com/raven/. Retrieved 15 February 2008. "Saturday, 20 October 2007 - The 13th Planet family is saddened to confirm the devastating news of the sudden and unexpected death of Ministry's bassist, Paul Raven. Raven was working with French recording artists Treponem Pal on their new collaboration with Ted Parsons (ex-Prong/ex-Killing Joke/Jesu) and members of The Young Gods in a small village on the French/Swiss border. Initial reports indicate Raven's passing was the result of a heart attack." 
32. ^ "Paul Raven - Bass player with Killing Joke, Ministry, Prong Dies in Geneva Aged 46 (Jan 16th 1961)" (PHP). LATEST NEWS. SIDE-LINE.com. 22 October 2007. http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=26593_0_2_0_C. Retrieved 15 February 2008. "Paul Raven Bass player with Killing Joke has died unexpectedly in Geneva in the early hours of Saturday 20 October 2007. Paul had been recording with Ted Parsons and Marco Neves in Geneva for the band Treponem pal. After a days recording Paul retired to bed and did not wake up." 
33. ^ "MINISTRY/KILLING JOKE Bassist PAUL RAVEN Dead At 46" (ASPX). NEWS ARCHIVE. BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 21 October 2007. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83199. Retrieved 15 February 2008. "MINISTRY bassist Paul Raven was found dead yesterday (Saturday, 20 October) in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border after suffering an apparent heart attack. Raven (who is also known for his work with KILLING JOKE and PRONG) was in Geneva working with French recording artists TREPONEM PAL on their new release alongside drummer Ted Parsons (PRONG) and members of THE YOUNG GODS." 
34. ^ "Drummer TED PARSONS Comments On PAUL RAVEN's Passing" (ASPX). NEWS ARCHIVE. BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 21 October 2007. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83206. Retrieved 15 February 2008. "Drummer Ted Parsons (PRONG, SWANS, GODFLESH, JESU) — who has spent the past few days in a Swiss studio collaborating with French recording artists TREPONEM PAL on their new release — has released the following statement regarding legendary bassist Paul Raven's (MINISTRY, KILLING JOKE) passing:" 
35. ^ Terrorizer May 2008 Issue 170
36. ^ "Killing Joke reform and tour" (PHP). LATEST NEWS. SIDE-LINE.com. 6 March 2008. http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=29846_0_2_5_C. Retrieved 14 March 2008. 
37. ^ "Unspeakable". http://www.discogs.com/release/972802. Retrieved 28 December 2008. 
38. ^ "NINE INCH NAILS, ANTHRAX, AIRBOURNE, KILLING JOKE Confirmed For U.K.'s SONISPHERE" (ASPX). BLABBERMOUTH.NET. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=115739. Retrieved 1 May 2009. 
39. ^ "Bands – SUNDAY 9th AUGUST 2009" (PHP). Rebellion Festivals. http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/index.php?page=bands. Retrieved 1 May 2009. 
40. ^ "Horrors, Black Lips, Killing Joke for Isle Of Wight" (XHTML). News. NME.COM. 30 April 2009. http://www.nme.com/news/the-horrors/44372. Retrieved 6 July 2010. 
41. ^ "Absolute Dissent > Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/absolute-dissent-main-entry-r2047776. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 
42. ^ Barton, G. (10 November 2010). "Classic Rock Roll Of Honour Winners Revealed!". Classic Rock. http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/classic-rock-roll-of-honour-winners-revealed/. Retrieved 5 January 2011. 
43. ^ "Absolute Dissent (deluxe edition)". Recordstoreday.com. http://www.recordstoreday.com/Page/958. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
44. ^ Death and Resurrection Show website "The Death and Resurrection Show at Coffee Films". http://www.coffeefilms.com/killingjoke. 
45. ^ Inertia official website.
46. ^ "Godflesh covers Requiem". http://www.godflesh.com/downloads/sounds. Retrieved 25 February 2009. 
47. ^ "Rolling Stone on The Wait". http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/24160218/the_100_greatest_singers_inside_t/photo/9. Retrieved 25 February 2009. 
48. ^ "Losing My Edge music video at YouTube". http://www.youtube.com/watch?fmt=18&v=gIk4oFkorbc. Retrieved 25 February 2009. 

External links

• Official website
• An Irrational Domain - Extensive KJ resource
• Killing Joke discography at MusicBrainz
• Complete official & unofficial discography
• Live & Photo Report (165 pic) @ Rolling Stone, Milan at Miusika.net
• Jaz Coleman interview at Rockdetector.com
• Early Killing Joke photos
• The Death and Resurrection Show Killing Joke documentary