Josef K (band)
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C81 (music) : "C81" link correction
'''Josef K''' was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[post-punk]] band active in the early 1980s who released singles on record label [[Postcard Records]]. The band was named after the protagonist of [[Franz Kafka]]'s [[novel]] ''[[The Trial]]''.
Musically, they resembled their label mates [[Orange Juice]] in fusing [[post-punk]] guitars with [[funk]] and [[disco]] rhythms. However, in terms of their lyrics and image Josef K were always far more downbeat and austere than Orange Juice, and were never to have Orange Juice's commercial success. Mood-wise their sound could be said to be more in the realm of [[Joy Division]] to Orange Juice's more upbeat [[Culture Club]]-type leanings (incorporation of upbeat island rhythms, occasional steel drums).
The band split prior to the release of the 1982 single, "The Farewell Single", which included the [[John Peel]] session track, "The Missionary". While the Postcard label was cited as a key influence on the [[C81 (music)|C81]] and the later [[C86 (music)|C86]] indie-pop movements, Josef K's sound is echoed in acts such as [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]] and [[Bloc Party]].
"Sorry for Laughing" was covered by German synth pop group Propaganda on their 1985 album [[A Secret Wish]] and in 2004 by [[French New Wave]]/[[bossa nova]] band [[Nouvelle Vague (band)|Nouvelle Vague]] on their [[Nouvelle Vague (album)|self-titled debut]].
==Band members==
* [[Paul Haig]] - guitar, vocals, songwriting
* [[Malcolm Ross (musician)|Malcolm Ross]] - guitar, violin
* David Weddell - bass
* Ronnie Torrance - drums
All of their songs were written by either Paul Haig or Paul Haig/Malcolm Ross.
Paul Haig went on to have a solo career, releasing a string of albums on his own Rhythm of Life label between 1984 and 2008, while Malcolm Ross joined [[Orange Juice]] and then played with [[Aztec Camera]] and [[Blancmange (band)|Blancmange]] before embarking on a solo career. Drummer Torrance and Bassist Wedell formed the Happy Family with [[Momus (artist)|Momus]], releasing the ''The Man on Your Street'' on 4AD in 1982.
==Discography==
===Studio Albums===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1"
!width="30"|
!width="30"|'''Year'''
!width="175"|'''Title'''
!width="70"|'''<small>[[UK Indie Chart]] Position</small>'''
|-
|Jul
|1981
|''The Only Fun In Town''
|align="center"|#3
|-
|}
===Compilation and live albums===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1"
!width="30"|
!width="30"|'''Year'''
!width="175"|'''Title'''
!width="70"|'''<small>UK Indie Chart Position</small>'''
!width="575"|'''Notes'''
|-
|Feb
|1987
|''Young and Stupid''
|align="center"|
|(1979-1981 singles/session cuts, released with different track listing on CD in Sep 1990)
|-
|Jun
|1987
|''Endless Soul''
|align="center"|#7
|(best of)
|-
|Jun
|1990
|''Sorry For Laughing''
|align="center"|
|(unreleased album from 1980)
|-
|Oct
|2002
|''Crazy to Exist''
|align="center"|
|(live recordings from 1981)
|-
|Sep
|2003
|''Live at Valentino's''
|align="center"|
|(live recordings from 1981)
|-
|Nov
|2006
|''Entomology''
|align="center"|
|(mainly culled from Postcard and Les Disques Du Crepuscules 1980-81)
|-
|}
===Singles===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1"
!width="30"|
!width="30"|'''Year'''
!width="175"|'''Title'''
!width="70"|'''<small>[[UK Indie Chart]] Position</small>'''
|-
|Sep
|1980
|"Radio Drill Time"
|align="center"|#27
|-
|Dec
|1980
|"It's Kinda Funny"
|align="center"|#12
|-
|May
|1981
|"Chance Meeting"
|align="center"|#12
|-
|Mar
|1982
|"The Missionary" ¹
|align="center"|#5
|-
|Feb
|1987
|"Heaven Sent" ¹
|align="center"|#12
|-
|}
¹ post split
==External links==
* [http://www.josefk.net/ JosefK.net - unofficial site]
* [http://www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk/jkbiog.html Josef K biography]
* [http://www.rolinc.co.uk/ Rhythm of Life] Paul Haig's record label
[[Category:Scottish musical groups]]
[[Category:Post-punk]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1981]]
[[br:Josef K]]
[[no:Josef K]]