Killing Joke
Contents
Info
Killing Joke formed in England during the height of UK Punk, and growing to become one of the key influences over Post Punk, Gothic, Industrial, and even had an influence over Techno and Trance.
They formed in late 1978/early 1979 out of Notting Hill, London, England. The founding members were;-
Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Geordie Walker (guitars), they have been the only constant members.
Killing Joke were also a major influence over Industrial, due to being one of the first ever bands to mix the feel of Punk with Electronica.
Their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as; "quasi-metal ... dancing to a tune of doom and gloom", which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of Electronic Dance Music, Synthpop, Gothic, Rock, and Alternative, always with an emphasis on Coleman's "savagely strident vocals".
Although finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have been seen as a huge influence over many later artists, including; Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, and Nirvana, (in fact, many believe Nirvana to have stolen riffs from Killing Joke).
Some Videos
Something original from it's day
Was this track the first example of Industrial as we now perceive it??
A copied classic
A classic Killing Joke track, with a guitar riff famously believed to have been stolen by Nirvana.
Possibly their most famous tune
Albums List
1) Killing Joke (1980)
2) What's THIS For...! (1981)
3) Revelations (1982)
4) Fire Dances (1983)
5) Night Time (1985)
6) Brighter than a Thousand Suns (1986)
7) Outside the Gate (1988)
8) Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions (1990)
9) Pandemonium (1994)
10) Democracy (1996)
11) Killing Joke (2003)
12) Hosannas from the Basements of Hell (2006)
13) Absolute Dissent (2010)
14) MMXII (2012)
15) Pylon (2015)
Members Name Check
- Jaz Coleman – lead vocals, keyboards (1978–1996, 2002–present)
- Kevin "Geordie" Walker – guitars (1978–1996, 2002–present)
- Martin Glover aka Youth aka Orion – bass guitar (1978–1982, 1994–1996, 2002–2003, 2008–present)
- Paul Ferguson – drums, vocals (1978–1987, 2008–present)
- Reza Uhdin – keyboards (2005–present)
- Paul Raven – bass guitar (1982–1987, 1990–1991, 2003–2007; passed away 2007)
- Martin Atkins – drums (1988–1991)
- Dave 'Taif' Ball – bass guitar (1988–1990)
- Ben Calvert – drums (2005–2008)
Additional Musicians
- Dave Kovacevic – keyboards (1984–1990)
- Jimmy Copley – drums (1987–88)
- John Bechdel – keyboards, programming (1990–1991)
- Nick Holywell-Walker – keyboards, programming (1994–1996, 2002–2005)
- Geoff Dugmore – drums (1994–1996)
- Troy Gregory – bass guitar (1996)
- Dave Grohl – drums (2002–2003)
- Ted Parsons – drums (2003–2004)
External Links
Live at Gig at The Roundhouse, London, February 2012 reviewed
Killing Joke – Absolute Dissent, Album Review
Live at Brixton Academy, London, November 2016 Review & Pics
Live review & photos from Blackwaters @ Scala, London, 12th June 2017
