The band formed in Notting Hill, London, England around the late 70s. The group was initially started by drummer Paul Ferguson and singer Jaz Coleman. They were briefly in a band together led by Mataya Clifford, but left to form their own group. Ferguson and Coleman put up flyers around town to recruit new members for their project and eventually got responses from bass player Martin Glover and ex-Rage guitarist Kevin Walker. Not long after the group’s formation they established their own record label Malicious Damage with Mike Coles, who provided the graphic art.
They released their first EP “Turn Red” on 26 October 1979, which racked up quite a bit of attention before it was even put on the shelf. Influential critic/DJ John Peel was impressed with the group’s EP and frequently played it on his radio station. The band’s reputation further grew with John Lyndon’s supportive statement in the new NME publication. With all the positive attention the band was receiving Island Records signed a contract with the band and re-released their first EP.
The band’s early releases channeled the primitivism of punk rock, but dressed it up with eccentric electronic sounds. Their first self-titled full length release ventured into dark sludge rock territories and extreme metal tendencies. It was their first recording to be released through the E.G. label and was moderately successful on the charts, reaching No. 39 in the UK.
The band’s eclectic display of musical ideas appealed to many different crowds, including the metal and punk scene. With their more upbeat, but nevertheless warped songs like “Psyche” and “Follow the Leader” they even gained the interest of disco fiends. Their second album “What’s THIS For....!” went in an even more abrasive direction. The band’s third album “Revelations” was released in 1982 and entered the UK charts at No. 12.
During this time lead singer Coleman became infatuated with the occult and the teachings of Aleister Crowley. He believed that the Apocalypse was coming soon and convinced bandmate Walker to come to Iceland with him to escape it. Youth joined them slightly after. The members formed the project Niceland with some of the musicians from the group Þeyr; however Youth was not convinced that the Apocalypse was coming and joined Ferguson back in England to form the band Brilliant. Ferguson left Brilliant to rejoin the Killing Joke in Iceland and the members of Þeyr went on to form KUKL and eventually the Sugarcubes with lead singer Bjork.
The Killing Joke moved back to England and began recording and touring again. In 1983 they put out their fourth LP “Fire Dance”, which exhibited a more artistic and softer tone than their previous albums. The band continued to release albums in this vein; however, they consequently lost touch with their formative fans. Coleman wanted to make a solo album in 1987, but with pressure ensuing from his label he released it under the name of Killing Joke in hopes of selling more copies. Despite efforts to have other members of the band perform on the album; Coleman, was the only member of the group featured on this release. Unsurprisingly it featured a stylistically different sound, built largely around keyboard leads.
Killing Joke went back to their earlier sound in the 90s and also toured more frequently. The group was back on track with the release of 1994’s “Pandemonium” and 1996’s “Democracy”. Both albums were praised by critics and fans alike. After the “Democracy” tour Jaz Coleman and Martin Glover began crafting heavily orchestrated rock albums in the style of Pink Floyd and the Doors. These releases were also very well regarded critically.
Killing Joke put out their follow up to “Democracy” 7 years later. Their second self-titled album was their first to feature Nirvana/Foo Fighter member Dave Grohl and was also their first to be produced by Andy Gil of Gang of Four.
Killing Joke has since gone on to release “Absolute Dissent” in 2010 and “MMXII” in 2012. They have toured extensively throughout the 2000s and in 2008 they toured with all the original lineup.
Killing Joke has influenced a countless number of artists ranging from industrial troopers like Ministry and Marilyn Manson, heavy metal giants such as Metallica, alternative rock superstars like Nirvana and Soundgarden, and even ambient house groups like the Orb (frontman Alex Paterson was once a roadie for the band).
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Charli XCX
