Killing Joke

Immensely powerful UK post-punk band who combined a furious rhythm section with near psychotic performances from Jaz Coleman (b. Jeremy Coleman, Cheltenham, England; vocals/keyboards). The band came about when Coleman, of Egyptian descent, was introduced to Paul Ferguson, then drumming for the Matt Stagger Band. Coleman joined as a keyboard player, before they both quit to form their own group. This first incarnation added 'Geordie' (b. K. Walker, Newcastle, England; guitar) and Youth (b. Martin Glover Youth, 27 December 1960, Africa; bass), who had made his first public appearance at the Vortex in 1977 with forgotten punk band the Rage. After re-locating to Notting Hill Gate they paid for a rehearsal studio and borrowed money from Coleman's girlfriend to release the TURN TO RED EP. Picked up by DJ John Peel, the band provided a session which would become the most frequently requested of the thousands he has commissioned. Via Island Record the band were able to set up their own Malicious Damage label, on which they released Wardance in February 1980, notable for its remarkably savage b-side, Psyche. A succession of fine, aggressive singles followed, alongside live appearances with Joy Division. They were in a strong enough position to negotiate a three album deal with EG, which allowed them to keep the name Malicious Damage for their records. After the release of a typically harsh debut album, the band were banned from a Glasgow gig when council officials took exception to posters depicting Pope Pius giving his blessing to two columns of Hitler's Brown Shirts (a genuine photograph). It was typical of the black humour which pervaded the band, especially on their record sleeves and graphics. After the recording of the third album was completed the band would disintegrate when Coleman's fascination with the occult led him to the conclusion that apocalypse was imminent, and he fled to Iceland. He was followed later by Youth. When Youth returned it was to begin work with Ferguson on a new project, Brilliant. However, having second thoughts Ferguson became the third Joker to flee to Iceland taking bass player Paul Raven (ex-Neon Hearts) with him. Brilliant continued with Youth as the only original member. The Killing Joke output from then on lacks something of the menace which had made them so vital. However, NIGHT TIME combined commercial elements better than most, proffering the hit single Love Like Blood. While OUTSIDE THE GATE was basically a Coleman solo album wrongly credited to the band, they returned with their best album for years with 1990's EXTREMITIES, DIRT AND VARIOUS REPRESSED EMOTIONS, which saw the drumming debut of Martin Atkins (ex-PiL). Regardless, the band broke up once more with bitter acrimony flying across the pages of the press the same year. While his former co-conspirators pronounced Killing Joke dead, Coleman pledged to continue under the name. He did just that after a brief sojourn into classical/ethnic music via a collaborative project with Anne Dudley. PANDEMONIUM saw Youth return to join Geordie and Coleman, with the addition of new drummer Geoff Dugmore. This saw a revitalized Killing Joke, notably on Exorcism, recorded in the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid in Cairo. They were welcomed back by a wide cross-section of critics (at least those who Coleman hadn't physically assaulted at some point) and friends. Indeed, bands claiming Killing Joke as a direct influence ranged from the Cult, Ministry and Skinny Puppy to Metallica and Soundgarden, while many noticed an uncanny similarity between the band's Eighties and Nirvana's Come As You Are.