Josef K (band) 938150 224750047 2008-07-10T07:11:48Z Nono64 2313206 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]]