Killing Joke 393562 225428841 2008-07-13T17:23:48Z Brambo 427597 /* Influence */ {{otheruses4|the musical group|other uses|The Killing Joke}} {{Infobox musical artist | Name = Killing Joke | Img = Killing Joke.jpg | Img_capt = | Background = group_or_band | Origin = [[London]], [[England]] | Instruments = | Genre = [[Post-punk]]<br />[[Industrial rock]]<br />[[Industrial metal]]<br/>[[Alternative rock]] | Years_active = 1979-Present | Label = [[Candlelight Records]]<br />[[Cooking Vinyl]]<br />Zuma Recordings<br />[[Butterfly Recordings]]<br />[[Invisible Records]]<br />[[E.G. Records]]<br />[http://www.maliciousdamage.biz/ Malicious Damage] | URL = [http://www.killingjoke.com Official website] | Current_members = [[Jaz Coleman]]<br />[[Geordie Walker|Kevin "Geordie" Walker]]<br />[[Martin Glover|Martin "Youth" Glover]]<br />[[Paul Ferguson]] | Past_members = [[Paul Raven]]<br />[[Ben Calvert]]<br />[[Reza Udhin]]<br />[[Martin Atkins]]<br />[[Dave Kovacevic]] }} '''Killing Joke''' are an [[England|English]] [[post-punk]] [[rock (music)|rock]] band formed in 1979.<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30">{{cite book | last = Hightower | first = Laura | coauthors = Leigh Ann DeRemer | title = Contemporary Musicians. Profiles of the people in music / Volume 30 | year = 2001 | publisher = Gale Research | location = Detroit, Michigan | isbn = 0787646415 | oclc = 51547697 | chapter = Killing Joke }}</ref><ref name="Kyselka-Prague_Pill-5">{{cite journal | last = Kyselka | first = Mike | date = | title = We’re all gonna die! | journal = Prague Pill | issue = 5 | pages = | publisher = Impuls CR | location = Prague | accessdate = 2008-02-15 | quote = In 1979 he founded Killing Joke, whose heavy sound influenced Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. }}<br />'''Related news articles:''' *{{cite web | url = http://prague.tv/print/article.php?name=coleman | title = Prague TV: “We’re all gonna die!” | accessdate = 2008-02-15 | format = PHP | publisher = Prague TV }}</ref><ref name="anikerrang">{{cite web | year=2003 | url = http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/articles/current/kerrang120403.html | title = Conspiracy of two | accessdate = 2008-01-07 | publisher = Kerrang! }}</ref><ref name="Borzillo-Vrenna-Nirvana_Pay_Back_Killing_Joke">{{cite web | last = Borzillo-Vrenna | first = Carrie | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/killingjoke/articles/story/5936629/nirvana_pay_back_killing_joke | title = Nirvana Pay Back Killing Joke: Killing Joke : Rolling Stone | accessdate = 2008-01-07 | authorlink = Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna | date = 2003-04-10 | publisher = Rolling Stone | quote = 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. }}</ref> Founding members [[Jaz Coleman]] (vocals, keyboards) and [[Geordie Walker]] (guitars) have been the only constant members. A key influence on [[industrial rock]]<ref>http://trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=killing_joke</ref>, their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan<ref>http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0ifuxqe5ldse</ref> as "quasi-[[heavy metal|metal]] ... dancing to a tune of doom and gloom," which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of [[dance music]], [[world music]], [[gothic rock]], though always emphasizing Coleman's "savagely strident vocals."<ref>http://trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=killing_joke</ref> Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[Napalm Death]], [[Big Black]], [[Tool (band)|Tool]], [[Prong (band)|Prong]], [[Metallica]], [[Primus (band)|Primus]], [[Jane's Addiction]], [[Soundgarden]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[Faith No More]] and [[Korn]], all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to 'The Joke'.<ref name="Kyselka-Prague_Pill-5" /><ref name="Sounds-Kashmir">{{cite journal | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = [[May 13]], [1989]] | title = Kashmir | journal = Sounds | volume = | issue = | pages = | publisher = South Puget Sound Community College | location = Olympia, Wash | oclc = 42326010 | accessdate = 2008-02-15 | quote = 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." }}<br />'''Related news articles:''' *{{cite web | url = http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/sounds_5-13-89.shtml | title = Unofficial SG Homepage: Articles: Sounds, May 13, 1989 | publisher = startgate.net | accessdate = 2008-02-15 }}</ref><ref name="Kerrang-Haughty_Culture">{{cite journal | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = [[April 8]], [[1989]] | title = Haughty Culture | journal = Kerrang! | volume = | issue = | pages = | publisher = EMAP Australia | location = Gladesville, N.S.W. | oclc = 173405184 | accessdate = 2008-02-15 | quote = 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. }}<br />'''Related news articles:''' *{{cite web | url = http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/kerr_4-8-89.shtml | title = Unofficial SG Homepage: Articles: KERRANG!, April 8, 1989 | format = SHTML | publisher = startgate.net | accessdate = 2008-02-15 }}</ref> ==History== ===1979–1982=== [[Paul Ferguson|"Big" Paul Ferguson]] was drummer in the Matt Stagger Band when he met [[Jaz Coleman|Jeremy "Jaz" Coleman]] (from [[Cheltenham, Gloucestershire]]) in [[Notting Hill, London, England|Notting Hill, London]]. In 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 [[Geordie Walker|Kevin "Geordie" Walker]] and bassist [[Martin Glover|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".<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30" /> In late 1979, they began the Malicious Damage [[record label]] with graphic artist Mike Coles as a way to press and sell their music;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maliciousdamage.biz/ |title=Malicious Damage |accessdate=2008-02-15 |publisher=Malicious Damage }}</ref> [[Island Records]] distributed the records, until Malicious Damage switched to [[E.G. Records]] in 1980. The songs on Killing Joke's early singles were primitive punk rock sometimes mixed with [[funk]] ("Nervous System") and [[Dub music|dub]]/[[reggae]] ("Turn to Red") styles. Their 'Nervous System/Turn To Red' EP 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 (music)|heavy metal]], as heard on their first two albums, ''[[Killing Joke (album)|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 music|heavy metal]] took interest in Killing Joke through singles such as "Follow the Leaders" (1981).<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30" /> 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...". This was a common misconception because, if anything, Killing Joke were politically apolitical or "meta-political" - with much of their disturbing imagery acting as ironic or cynical symbols for a world which they perceived was becoming ever more materialist, unjust and conservative. Killing Joke had various 'run-ins' with a number of music journalists at the time. Killing Joke's third album, ''[[Revelations (Killing Joke)|Revelations]]'', produced by [[Conny Plank]], was released in 1982, and supported by a pair of performances on The [[John Peel]] Show and by the singles "Chop-Chop" and "Empire Song". The LP reached #12 in the UK Top albums.<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30" /> 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 (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 lineup soon produced, again with Conny Plank, the single "Birds of a Feather / Sun Goes Down / Flock the B-Side" and ''[[Ha! (Killing Joke album)|Ha!]]'', a six-track 10" [[Extended play|EP]] of a live performance recorded 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]].<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30" /> Mixing their sound with a slightly [[pop music|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 peaked at #16 in the UK. ''Night Time'' was also supported with singles for "Eighties" (1984), "Kings and Queens" (1985) and "Love Like Blood (Gestalt mix)" (1985), which all reached the UK Top 75. The album itself reached #11 in the UK.<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30" /> The music on Killing Joke's sixth album, ''[[Brighter than a Thousand Suns (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.<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30" /> 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 Walker|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 fired 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 (experimentally, there is even a brief [[rapping|rap]] on one song) 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. Had the album been released as "Coleman/Walker" (as the cover graphic implies) it might have been better received. Released as "Killing Joke" however, 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philbrodieband.com/muso_jerome-rimson.htm |title=JEROME RIMSON: Bass Guitarist, Author of the book RENEGADE |accessdate=2008-02-15 |publisher=Phil Brodie Band }}</ref> 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. Records|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 (band)|Ministry]] and [[Pigface]]. A suitable bass player proved more difficult, however. Former [[The Smiths|Smiths]] man [[Andy Rourke]] was hired, then fired again after only three days. Eventually the band settled on Welsh bass player [[Dave Ball|Dave "Taif" Ball]], and played their first gigs in almost two years in December 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.taif.co.uk/taifbass/index.cfm?page=biog&more=6 |title=taif-bass: Killing Joke |accessdate=2008-12-15 |format=CFM |publisher=taif.co.uk }}</ref> 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]]. However, for reasons which remain unclear, the German Killing Joke sessions were scrapped 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 Records (Germany)|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 (band)|Ministry]], [[Fear Factory]], [[Prong (band)|Prong]], [[Pigface]], [[Abstinence(band)|Abstinence]], [[False Icons]], [[Ascension of the Watchers]]) added Scottish vocalist [[Chris Connelly]] ([[Finitribe]], [[Revolting Cocks]]) and continued as the short-lived [[Murder, Inc. (band)|Murder, Inc.]], releasing a self-titled album in 1992. ===1992–1996=== A Killing Joke anthology, ''[[Laugh? I Nearly Bought One!]]'', was released in 1992, and during its production, Geordie was re-acquainted with [[Martin Glover|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. The reactivated Killing Joke released two strong and well-received albums on Youth's [[Butterfly Recordings]] label, ''[[Pandemonium (Killing Joke album)|Pandemonium]]'' and ''[[Democracy (album)|Democracy]]'', which saw the band shift back to the simpler arrangements of their early albums. ''[[Pandemonium (Killing Joke album)|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 30 hit. ''Democracy'' (1996) successfully introduced acoustic guitar into the mix, as well as adopting more of a "live band" sound again. 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 (album)|Democracy]]'' and ''[[XXV Gathering (live) (album)|XXV Gathering (live)]]''. Youth bowed out of live performance early in the ''Democracy'' tour and was replaced by [[Troy Gregory]], ex [[Prong (band)|Prong]].<ref name="Hightower-Volume_30" /> Coleman had produced the 1993 debut album ''[[Churn (album)|Churn]]'' by the New Zealand Band [[Shihad]] and Shihad drummer [[Tom Larkin]] played drums on some of the songs on ''Pandemonium''. However, relations later soured between Coleman and Shihad due to a dispute over Coleman's production fee for ''[[Churn (album)|Churn]]'', and the fact that Shihad considered him a "megalomaniac". Shihad's second album, 1995's ''[[Killjoy (album)|Killjoy]]'', includes two songs about Coleman and the dispute: ''Bitter'' and ''You Again''. Coleman has also made a number of disparaging remarks about [[Shihad]] in the media. Shihad singer and guitarist [[Jon Toogood]] says his band have put the dispute behind them, however a song was recorded by Shihad called "Killing Jaz". Killing Joke also sued [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] during this phase, alleging that the riff for the latter's song "[[Come As You Are (Nirvana song)|Come as You Are]]" was copied from the riff for their song "[[Eighties (song)|Eighties]]".<ref name="anikerrang" /><ref name="Borzillo-Vrenna-Nirvana_Pay_Back_Killing_Joke" /> The lawsuit was dropped after the sudden death of Nirvana frontman [[Kurt Cobain]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/music/2003/07/24/killing_interview.shtml | title = Interview with Killing Joke's Geordie | accessdate = 2008-01-07 | publisher = BBC Manchester }}</ref> 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]] and [[The Doors]]. Coleman became Composer-in-Residence for New Zealand and Czech symphony orchestras.<ref name="decibelmagazine.com-Killing_Joke">{{cite web | url = http://decibelmagazine.com/features/jul2007/killingjoke.aspx | title = Killing Joke | accessdate = 2008-01-07 | last = Bennett | first = J. | format = ASPX | publisher = Decibel Magazine | quote = 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. }}</ref><ref name="Telegraph20071022-Paul_Raven">{{cite journal | date = [[October 22]], 2007 | title = Paul Raven | journal = Telegraph | publisher = R. Bostock | location = London | oclc = 11251885 | accessdate = 2008-01-08 | quote = Coleman is presently Composer in Residence to the European Union. }}<br />'''Related news articles:''' *{{cite web | url = http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/articles/raven/telegraph22Oct2007.htm | title = London Telegraph 22 October 2007 | accessdate = 2008-01-08 | publisher = anirrationaldomain.net }}</ref> 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]]").<ref name="Kyselka-Prague_Pill-5" /> ===2002–present=== Coleman, Geordie and Youth reformed Killing Joke in 2002, and recorded their [[Killing Joke 2003 (album)|second self-titled album]] with producer [[Andy Gill (musician)|Andy Gill]], released to much acclaim in 2003 on the Zuma/Sony label - a powerful addition to ''Extremities'' and other visceral 1990s albums, and considered one of their finest recordings. 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 was their heaviest to date and spawned two singles, "Loose Cannon" and "Seeing Red". The songs are all credited to Coleman/Walker/[[Martin Glover|Glover]]/Gill, although [[Paul Raven|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 however, with Youth appearing to have retired from the band by this point. [[Dave Grohl]] ([[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Foo Fighters (band)|Foo Fighters]], [[Probot (band)|Probot]]), 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 (band)|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, they supported the British leg of [[Mötley Crüe]]'s world tour and then began work on their next album in [[Prague]]. Opting for simplicity and raw energy, the band recorded the new album in its basement rehearsal studio, 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. Killing Joke began a European tour in support of the album in April 2006. However, bass player [[Paul Raven]] abruptly departed after a few dates to tour with [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]] and was temporarily replaced by [[Kneill Brown]]. The tour included an appearance headlining the [[MySpace]] stage of the Download Festival on [[June 10]] [[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 [[The Orb|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 however, 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 [[artist in residence|Composer in Residence]] for the [[European Union]]. As Composer in Residence he will be commissioned to write music for special occasions.<ref name="decibelmagazine.com-Killing_Joke" /><ref name="Telegraph20071022-Paul_Raven" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=21492_0_2_0_C |title=Rarities release for Killing Joke |accessdate=2008-02-15 |date=2007-03-21 |format=PHP |work=LATEST NEWS |publisher=SIDE-LINE.com |quote=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. }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklist.net/kerrang_p2.htm#gigs |title=A UK Heavy metal specialist publication |accessdate=2008-02-15 |publisher=rocklist.net |quote=70. Killing Joke ~ The Astoria, London April 20, 1994 }}</ref> 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 October 20th, [[Paul Raven]] died of heart failure prior to a recording session in Geneva, Switzerland.<ref name="bbc2007">{{cite news |title=Killing Joke bassist Raven dies |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7056986.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2007-10-22 |accessdate=2007-10-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.killingjoke.com/killingjoke_home.html |title=Killing Joke - Official site! |accessdate=2008-02-15 |author=Killing Joke |authorlink=Killing Joke |publisher=Killing Joke |quote=Our beloved Paul Raven died unexpectedly of a heart attack in Geneva in the early hours of Saturday October 20th 2007. Paul went to bed and did not wake up. <br /> <br />Jaz Coleman - Geordie Walker, front man and Guitarist of Killing Joke:<br /><br />''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. }}<br />'''Related news articles:''' *{{cite web |url=http://www.killingjoke.com/killingjoke_gallery_raven.htm |title=PAUL RAVEN TRIBUTE GALLERY |accessdate=2008-02-15 |author=Killing Joke |authorlink=Killing Joke |publisher=Killing Joke }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thirteenthplanet.com/raven/ |title=Paul Raven - Tribute Page |accessdate=2008-02-15 |publisher=thirteenthplanet.com |quote=Saturday, October 20, 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. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=26593_0_2_0_C |title=Paul Raven - Bass player with Killing Joke, Ministry, Prong Dies in Geneva Aged 46 (Jan 16th 1961) |accessdate=2008-02-15 |date=2007-10-22 |format=PHP |work=LATEST NEWS |publisher=SIDE-LINE.com |quote=Paul Raven Bass player with Killing Joke has died unexpectedly in Geneva in the early hours of Saturday October 20th 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. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83199 |title=MINISTRY/KILLING JOKE Bassist PAUL RAVEN Dead At 46 |accessdate=2008-02-15 |date=2007-10-21 |format=ASPX |work=NEWS ARCHIVE |publisher=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |quote=MINISTRY bassist Paul Raven was found dead yesterday (Saturday, October 20) 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. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83206 |title=Drummer TED PARSONS Comments On PAUL RAVEN's Passing |accessdate=2008-02-15 |date=2007-10-21 |format=ASPX |work=NEWS ARCHIVE |publisher=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |quote=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: }}</ref> On January 28 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''". Killing Joke have announced a world tour commencing in September 2008. The band will be reuniting with their original lineup and they will be playing two nights per venue. The first night they will play their first two albums '[[Killing Joke (1980 album)|Killing Joke]]' and '[[What's THIS For...!]]' in their entirety. The second night will feature the whole of '[[Pandemonium (Killing Joke album)|Pandemonium]]' plus their early singles released on Island records. The world tour will begin on September 13 in Tokyo and conclude in Chicago on October 14.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=29846_0_2_5_C |title=Killing Joke reform and tour |accessdate=2008-03-14 |date=2008-03-06 |format=PHP |work=LATEST NEWS |publisher=SIDE-LINE.com }}</ref> A new album is planned for summer 2008 release. ==Discography== ===Albums=== *''[[Killing Joke (1980 album)|Killing Joke]]'' (1980) UK #39 *''[[What's THIS For...!]]'' (1981) UK #42 *''[[Revelations (Killing Joke album)|Revelations]]'' (1982) UK #12 *''[[Fire Dances]]'' (1983) UK #29 *''[[Night Time]]'' (1985) *''[[Brighter than a Thousand Suns (album)|Brighter than a Thousand Suns]]'' (1986) *''[[Outside the Gate]]'' (1988) *''[[The Courtauld Talks]]'' (1989) *''[[Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions]]'' (1990) *''[[Pandemonium (Killing Joke album)|Pandemonium]]'' (1994) *''[[Democracy (album)|Democracy]]'' (1996) *''[[Killing Joke (2003 album)|Killing Joke]]'' (2003) *''[[Hosannas from the Basements of Hell]]'' (2006) {{seealso|List of musicians with multiple self-titled albums}} ===Singles & EPs=== *''Turn To Red EP'' 10" (October 1979) *''Nervous System'' 7" 12" (December 1979) *''Wardance/Pѕyche'' 7" (March 1980) *''Requiem/Change'' 7" 12" (October 1980) *''Follow the Leaders/Tension'' 7" 10" (May 1981) &ndash; UK #55 *''Empire Song/Brilliant'' 7" (March 1982) &ndash; UK #43 *''Chop Chop/Good Samaritan'' 7" (June 1982) *''Birds of a Feather/Sun Goes Down/Flock the B side'' 7" 12" (October 1982) &ndash; UK #64 *''Let's All Go/Dominator'' 7" 12" (June 1983) &ndash; UK #51 *''Me or You/Wilful Days'' 7" 12" (October 1983) &ndash; UK #57 *''Eighties/Eighties Common Mix'' 7" 12" (April 1984) &ndash; UK #60 *''A New Day/Dance Day'' 7" 12" (July 1984) &ndash; UK #56 *''Love Like Blood/Blue Feather'' 7" 12" (February 1985) &ndash; UK #16, Germany #24, Ireland #30, NL #8 *''Kings & Queens/The Madding Crowd'' 7" 12" (March 1985) &ndash; UK #58 *''Adorations/Exile'' 7" 12" (August 1986) &ndash; UK #42 *''Sanity/Goodbye to the Village'' 7" 12" (October 1986) &ndash; UK #70 *''America/Jihad'' 7" 12" (April 1988) &ndash; UK #77 *''My Love of This Land/Darkness Before Dawn'' 7" 12" (July 1988) &ndash; UK #89 *''Money is Not Our God'' CDs 12" (1991) *''Change: The Youth Mixes CD'' (1992) *''Exorcism'' CDs 10" (1994) *''Millennium'' CDs 7" 12" (May 1994) &ndash; UK #34 *''Pandemonium'' CDs (July 1994) &ndash; UK #28 *''Pandemonium in Dub'' CDs (July 1994) *''Jana'' CDs (February 1995) &ndash; UK #54 *''Jana Live EP'' (February 1995) *''Jana/Millennium'' Double CDs (1995) *''Democracy'' CDs (March 1996) &ndash; UK #39 *''Democracy dif. Mix'' CDs (March 1996) *''[[Love Like Blood/Intellect]]'' (March 1998) *''Loose Cannon'' 12" CDs DVDs (July 2003) &ndash; UK #25 *''Seeing Red'' CDs (2003) *''Hosannas from the Basements of Hell/Afterburner/Universe B'' CDs (April 2006) &ndash; UK #74 *''Hosannas from the Basements of Hell/Afterburner (Alternate Vers.)'' Limited 7" (April 2006) ===Singles on cassette=== *''Adorations (The Supernatural Mix)/Ecstasy/Exile/Love Like Blood (The ’86 Remix)'' (1986) *''Sanity/Sanity (Instrumental Mix)/Goodbye to the Village/Wardance (The Naval Mix)'' (1986) *''Change (Re-Evolution 23 Mix)/Change (Spiral Tribe Mix)/Requiem (Malicious Damage Mix)/Requiem (Acapella Dub)'' (1992) *''Millennium (Cybersank Edit)/Millennium (Cybersank Extended Remix)'' (1994) *''Pandemonium (Cybersank Edit)/Pandemonium (The Dragonfly Mix)/Pandemonium (Waxworth Industries Mix)'' (1994) *''Democracy (Album Mix)/Mass'' (1996) ===Live albums=== *''[[Ha! (Killing Joke album)|Ha!]]'' 10 inch live EP (1982) UK #66 *''[[BBC In Concert]]'' (1995) *''[[No Way Out but Forward Go]]'' (2001) *''[[XXV Gathering: Let Us Prey]]'' (2005) ===Compilations=== *''[[An Incomplete Collection 1980-1985]]'' (1990) *''[[Laugh? I Nearly Bought One!]]'' (1992) *''[[Wilful Days]]'' (1995) *''[[Alchemy: The Remixes]]'' (Remix Album) (1996) *''[[Wardance (Killing Joke)|Wardance]]'' (Remix Album) (1998) *''[[The Unperverted Pantomime?]]'' (2003) *''[[Chaos for Breakfast]]'' (2004) *''[[For Beginners]]'' (2004) *''[[Inside Extremities: Mixes, Rehearsals and Live]]'' (2007) *''[[Bootleg Vinyl Archive Vol. 1]]'' (2007) *''[[Bootleg Vinyl Archive Vol. 2]]'' (2007) ===Videography=== *''Rok Dabla/Year of the devil feat. Jaz Coleman'' Czech Rep. (2002) *''[[XXV Gathering: The Band That Preys Together Stays Together]]'' [live] (2005) ==Side projects== *[[Brilliant (band)|Brilliant]] *[[Pigface]] *[[Murder, Inc. (band)|Murder, Inc.]] *[[The Damage Manual]] *[[Transmission (band)|Transmission]] *[[Niceland]] ==Influence== * 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.[http://www.godflesh.com/downloads/sounds/] * In 1987, [[Metallica]] covered Killing Joke's "The Wait" for their [[Extended play|E.P.]] ''[[Garage Days Re-Revisited]]''. * In some early interviews, the members of [[Soundgarden]] cited Killing Joke as one of the bands they listen to most.<ref name="Sounds-Kashmir" /><ref name="Kerrang-Haughty_Culture" /> * In 1989, German gothic band [[Love Like Blood (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 (Nirvana song)|Come as You Are]]" bears a striking resemblance to the riff of Killing Joke's single, "Eighties." The band, however, did not file a copyright infringement lawsuit, which, according to <i>[[Rolling Stone]]</i>, was "due to personal and financial reasons." * In 1993, [[Helmet (band)|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 (band)|Icehouse]] covered "Love like Blood" on their album ''[[The Berlin Tapes (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 drummer of Foo Fighters, played drums for the recording sessions of Killing Joke's second self-titled album in 2003. * In 2001, [[Amen (band)|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, [[Mad Capsule Markets|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, [[LCD Soundsystem]] released "[[Losing My Edge]]" which is based around b-side "Change".[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIk4oFkorbc] * In 2003, German band [[Blackmail (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 (album)|Transgression]]''. * Other professed fans of Killing Joke including [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], [[Amebix]], [[Front Line Assembly]], [[Tool (band)|Tool]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[Melvins]], [[Faith No More]], [[KMFDM]] [[The Complications]], [[Born Dead Icons]], [[Godflesh]], [[Napalm Death]], [[Mr. Bungle]], [[VX (band)|VX]], [[Red Lorry Yellow Lorry]], [[I Am Spoonbender (band)|I Am Spoonbender]], [[Primus (band)|Primus]], [[Queen Adreena]], [[Jello Biafra]], [[Prong (band)|Prong]], The Red Star Ritual, [[Burning Image]], Morgoth and [[Project 86]]. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.killingjoke.com Official site] * [http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/ An Irrational Domain - Extensive KJ resource] * {{last.fm|Killing+Joke}} * {{musicbrainz artist|id=f5aca88c-e3c1-4bc2-af33-68a9a9f7b56a|name=Killing Joke}} * [http://www.rockdetector.com/interviews/artist,4922.sm?id=99 Jaz Coleman interview at Rockdetector.com] {{Killing Joke}} [[Category:English musical groups]] [[Category:Post-punk]] [[Category:Rough Trade Records artists]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1979]] {{Link FA|fr}} [[cs:Killing Joke]] [[de:Killing Joke]] [[es:Killing Joke]] [[fr:Killing Joke]] [[it:Killing Joke]] [[nl:Killing Joke]] [[ja:キリング・ジョーク]] [[pl:Killing Joke]] [[pt:Killing Joke]] [[ru:Killing Joke]] [[sk:Killing Joke]] [[fi:Killing Joke]]