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General Category => Everything Else => Topic started by: Master Ray on February 18, 2018, 08:02:30 PM
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A friend of mine recommended me KJ's most recent album, 'Pylon', which I'm listening to at the moment and is just superb. I really need to investigate this band further.
Now, I'm not a complete KJ newbie (I've previously owned 'Brighter Than A Thousand Suns', 'Pandemonium', 'Killing Joke (2003)' and 'Democracy') and am aware of other stuff they've done. But they seem to be a band that I've somehow muchly skipped over when I should have been delving deep into their oeuvre. I love to hear great music that is new to me. These days, as an old bugger, I struggle to find 'new' acts that tickle my fancy, so 'acts that I've overlooked' it is! ;D
Sidenote. I did once see KJ live, Finsbury Park 1991 (?) when they were third on the bill behind The Mission and NMA (Henry Rollins played fourth) but I was so immensely, heroically drunk that I remember nothing about it! ::)
So. Any of you lovely lot got any favourite albums / songs / opinions? Love or hate Killing Joke? Anything? I'm always looking to fall in love with some music and Killing Joke might just be my new ticket... ;)
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Last l.p. I heard was pandemonium n didn't like it, If memory serves me right it was too fast n full on for me , so didn't bother with them after that
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Absolute Dissent is brilliant IMHO
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Absolutely Killing Joke are probably my favourite band after NMA. But like NMA there's a vast back catalogue with some sketchy releases. I've given up buying their stuff at least twice only to discover they've gone and released something that becomes one of my favourite albums.
must have albums...
the first album self titled Killing Joke
What's This For...!
Night Time
Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions (Martin Atkins on drums)
another self titled album Killing Joke 2003 (With Dave Grohl on drums - this is epic)
the last three albums are sort of a trilogy
and in my opinion just get better
Absolute Dissent
MMXII
Pylon
Other albums are good in part I like Revelations, Pandemonium, Brighter Than A Thousand Suns, Hosannas From The Basements Of Hell.
avoid...
Outside The Gate
Hope this helps and you enjoy discovering some of this. Like I say I put them right up there with NMA.
Oh by the way there's an excellent documentary about the band called The Death And Resurrection Show that gives a great insight into the band ethos and history that I'd recommend.
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If you want to hear the greatest Killing Joke song of all time, cue up "The Wait" -- the version done by Metallica!!!
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What can you say? They're excellent. A top band. I have Firedances and Brighter Than Thousand Suns albums. Personally I prefer more early stuff like songs such as Eighties, Wait and probably Firedances album. But there's also some nice, soft things on Brighter than album too.
I've heard Pandemonium was a top album and they're maybe quite tough sounding nowadays compared to 80's neoromantic disco thing.
We had to go see them at a gig and paid the tix in early 2000's. They cancelled the gig as their vocalist was having issues and went to hospital. But glad to hear they're doing well now and still kicking.
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If you want to hear the greatest Killing Joke song of all time, cue up "The Wait" -- the version done by Metallica!!!
opinion not valid
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If you want to hear the greatest Killing Joke song of all time, cue up "The Wait" -- the version done by Metallica!!!
Still here, Space? ???
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Thanks for your posts, I now know I need to delve deep into the Killing Joke universe... keep any recommendations coming!
:D
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Even though the best Killing Joke song is done by Metallica, Killing Joke is still a top band.
They had a very distinct sound. You'd hear a song and instantly say, "Man, that's Killing Joke." It was Geordie the guitarist. He had a very unique tone. Big Gibson hollow body guitar played with a hell of a lot of reverb and chorus....he definitely had a signature sound.
They had some great songs. Two that kind of encapsulate the band quite well and two I really loved were:
"Fire Dances" - a mad rush of excitement
"Birds Of A Feather" - tribal rhythms with that signature Geordie tone along with a catchy chorus
And the band does have one hell of an iconic song. Killing Joke sure hit it out of the ballpark with their masterpiece "Eighties."
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KJ is a great band.I owe Brighter Than A Thousand Suns L.P and reading here I realized I have a great archieve of Killing Joke on flac but really not listened enough and decided to revisit them all now.So thanks to Master Ray.Yes The Wait is a great song and good cover by Metallica but in my opinion Love Like Blood is also a very very fascinating song.
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Listened to the early stuff back in the day, seems as though I need to trawl Ebay and Discogs for more :)
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I've been listening to them since the early 80's, love the first 4 or 5 albums, Wardance and Empire song are probably my fave songs.
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So. Any of you lovely lot got any favourite albums / songs / opinions? Love or hate Killing Joke?
I'm a bit mixed about this band, sometimes too agressive sounding (the guitars) to my tastes!
There are still songs that i like, this one for example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9TxkrdPPx0
Also "love like blood" great song! "Eighties", "Millenium", "the wait", "tomorrow's world", "european super state"...
NMA has often been compared to Killing Joke but i tend to like more Justin's songrwriting, not always on the agressive/heavy mood...Justin is a big fan of Killing Joke, i remember reading it many times through the interviews.
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Sidenote. I did once see KJ live, Finsbury Park 1991 (?) when they were third on the bill behind The Mission and NMA (Henry Rollins played fourth) but I was so immensely, heroically drunk that I remember nothing about it! ::)
So. Any of you lovely lot got any favourite albums / songs / opinions? Love or hate Killing Joke? Anything? I'm always looking to fall in love with some music and Killing Joke might just be my new ticket... ;)
Hey Master Ray, I was at Finsbury Park too ! That was actually the first time I saw NMA live, even though I'd liked them since the first album. There was also another band called Bleach who opened things up. I do remember Henry Rollins as he certainly had presence shall we say. Oddly I don't remember much about Killing Joke's set either, and I wasn't drunk !
You can find the setlists for The Mission and New Model Army here - the Army's set was fantastic (but look what the first song was ::) )
I've only got one Killing Joke album, the LP version of Eighties which is superb. I've often thought I ought to check out more of their stuff too, so this is an interesting thread :)
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Thanks for that, Tony, 1991 eh? How the hell did we get so old? ;)
It's a fond memory of my youth, great day out. I kind of wish I hadn't been that drunk so I'd remember it better... but that's what being young and dumb is all about, I just remember I had an amazing day that still resonates to my middle-aged years, with great friends (most of whom I am still in touch with) and here's to many more of the same!
You should investigate Killing Joke some more, they really are excellent, see previous posts as to recommendations. Let us know how you get on with that stuff!
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Just realised, I forgot to put the link in my last post ! Here you go;
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/new-model-army/1991/finsbury-park-london-england-3bc72c54.html
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Cheers for that, mate! Happy days...
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Update. Absolute Dissent, Killing Joke (1980) and Night Time are superb albums.
Why have I not gotten into Killing Joke more? They're bloody awesome!
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Where have you been MR? KJ always have been my favorite band. Its usually been a rite of passage that if you like NMA you like KJ!
Got everything they've done, seen them many times.
4 phases of KJ really;
1. The 1970s/early 80's John Peel, rock'n'dub albums leading up to Fire Dances. Snobs like saying this is their best phase or this is the "real" KJ. In my opinion it isn't but they certainly made some fine music and hit big.
2. The commercial 1980s. Starting with the brilliant Nighttime and ending with the less than stellar (but it did have the brilliant My Love Of This Land still one of the best KJ songs ever) Outside the Gate album. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns is one of their best albums, get the extended version as they put out a slew of excellent 12" singles as well around that time (like NMA did) now included.
3. The Heavy Metal Years, the 1990s. While Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions is unhinged it unlocked the 1990s as a much heavier guitar sound (Age of Greed is a wall of guitar squall classic). That lasted up until 1996s Democracy. These albums I love, but not as much.
4. Coalescing of all styles. Their absolute one of the best and stone classic Killing Joke album in 2003 started the current era of quality. After Paul Raven died it continued with Youth coming back into the band. After the classic 2003 album, Hosannas from the Basements of Hell was weak in my opinion (save for the brilliant title track), as they tried to rerun the 2003 album success by replicating but the production was crap. Since then though they have produced strong releases and continue to do so.
I always think NMA and KJ go rather hand in hand. Two bands that do well and chart, but should have been much bigger with their massive songwriting talents. But I'm glad they didn't as I think it might have ruined the diamonds they are.
Need any info on KJ. I'm your man! 8)
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Hey ldopas, good to hear from you, sir, hope you're well!
As I said, I've dipped in and out of KJ over the years but have never really indulged, like I am doing now! Loving much of what I'm hearing. I did have the extended version of 'Brighter' long ago, but I lent to to someone ages ago and never saw it again, probably should re-purchase it at some point. And you're right, the 2003 album is superb. 'Democracy' is a personal fave, not least for the superb title track.
Isn't it brilliant to get into a band with a massive back catalogue behind them? It's nice enough to get into a new band with some fresh new sounds, but you run out of their stuff very quickly. But when you've got decades of stuff to immerse yourself in, good or bad... love it. I truly envy the NMA newbie who hears one track they like and thinks 'well, I'll check out the rest of their stuff...' :D
Thanks for your post, i will be back to you for further advice, I'm sure! ;)
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Am I correct in that KJ have released some albums after 2000's as Internet release/mp3s only? A friend of mine once claimed so. ???
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Rusco, after a bit of internet research, I can only seem to find a five track release called 'In Excelsis' that was originally released on MP3... but three of those tracks subsequently showed up on 'Absolute Dissent'... seems like it was a trailer for the subsequent album. A finer mind than mine can probably clarify. ;)
No 'full album' as such.
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....I always think NMA and KJ go rather hand in hand. Two bands that do well and chart, but should have been much bigger with their massive songwriting talents
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I don't see the two bands as going hand in hand simply because based on name recognition Killing Joke would be considered an A-list band while NMA would be lucky to crack the D-list. I am speaking as one from the States and over here Killing Joke were all over our new music radio stations and even had a healthy presence on MTV. I have never ever heard a New Model Army song on the radio over here and just once did I see an NMA video on MTV (and it was a song they didn't even write, "51st State").
No doubt there are similarities between the two bands - main one being sincerity - but over here in the US of Trump the two bands were light years apart in popularity. Heck, just think of all the Metallica fans in America. Every one of them has heard of Killing Joke, while just twelve people here have heard of New Model Army.
(Your post was a great post, by the way. A very nice summary of Killing Joke's career arc.)
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ldopas, seeing as I've being loving so much KJ stuff, I thought I'd check out the 'less than stellar' (as you put it) 'Outside The Gate', just to see if there was such a thing as a bad KJ album... well, it's not as classic as certain others, but it's still a pretty solid effort. And you're right, 'My Love Of This Land' is a cracking good tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GIhuFdaLCw
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Thanks for all your nice comments about my post! Hi MR, yepp I'm still going strong, over two years since THAT event but I keep fit and limit my excesses now....I'm not a fool, when life fires a bullet across your eyes you take notice! 8) Hows things with you?
Someone asked about Killing Joke stuff not on albums or "unreleased. Here are some;
I BUY, unreleased except on a compo disk with a magazine about 5 years ago KJ with Tim Burgess on vocals, its brilliant! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMrHDdlqvFs
FEAST Of FOOLS, one of my favourite KJ tracks should have been on the album MMXII. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVDlbQaZdqE
NEW UPRISING, again excellent and was a difficult to get bonus track on MMXII. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ238quPaLI
INFERNO, great track, limited bonus track on Killing Joke 2003 release. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYoCRG0P1kg
DRUG, song recorded for a computer game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEnKwtb8Cs4
PENNY DROPS, B Side of In Cythera single, again rare. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8haktZDmO0s
SIXTH SUN, unreleased track from Absolute Dissent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehVc0-RodoA
HOLLYWOOD BABYLON, unreleased track on KJ albums (NOT the Misfits song btw!!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vsl5E1d54Y
AFTERBURNER, B Side of Hosannas single. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wff6fBSGLyo
TRANSIENT PLACE, KJ with Peter Hook on bass, only released on a compo disc with other bands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWL3JGYkUQs
MAY DAY, unreleased should have been on Outside The Gate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcDT6JNdnKQ
ZENNON, B side of Loose Cannon single. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95X_L3eiA0A
If I think of any others, or anyone else knows any please post!!!!! :)
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Hey! Glad you're well and yes, my old ticker still keeps on pumping in a timely and regular fashion... I still do a bit of 'excess' every once in a while, but it's a rare thing these days...
Thanks for your KJ rareties, I will check them all out, is anything on THIS Youtube post new to you ( I know you've already mentioned a couple)?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-H96qJM4-4
If KJ ever tour the UK again, let me know. I would bloody love to see them live again!
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This just in. 'Extremities Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions' is a cracking good listen. :D
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So glad you're enjoying the discovery MR. Money is not our god! On a current update Jaz is currently in St Petersburg recording Symphonic Killing Joke. A collection of Killing Joke songs performed by the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Knowing Jaz's credentials this will be an epic undertaking, a fitting tribute to mark their 40th anniversary and yet another display of the band's diversity. I for one am looking forward to it and like you wondering where the time went.
Also thanks to Idopas for sharing those links!
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So glad you're enjoying the discovery MR. Money is not our god! On a current update Jaz is currently in St Petersburg recording Symphonic Killing Joke. A collection of Killing Joke songs performed by the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Knowing Jaz's credentials this will be an epic undertaking, a fitting tribute to mark their 40th anniversary and yet another display of the band's diversity. I for one am looking forward to it and like you wondering where the time went.
Also thanks to Idopas for sharing those links!
Blimey, that sounds like a good listen, can't wait for that one!
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A friend of mine recommended me KJ's most recent album, 'Pylon', which I'm listening to at the moment and is just superb. I really need to investigate this band further.
Now, I'm not a complete KJ newbie (I've previously owned 'Brighter Than A Thousand Suns', 'Pandemonium', 'Killing Joke (2003)' and 'Democracy') and am aware of other stuff they've done. But they seem to be a band that I've somehow muchly skipped over when I should have been delving deep into their oeuvre. I love to hear great music that is new to me. These days, as an old bugger, I struggle to find 'new' acts that tickle my fancy, so 'acts that I've overlooked' it is! ;D
Sidenote. I did once see KJ live, Finsbury Park 1991 (?) when they were third on the bill behind The Mission and NMA (Henry Rollins played fourth) but I was so immensely, heroically drunk that I remember nothing about it! ::)
So. Any of you lovely lot got any favourite albums / songs / opinions? Love or hate Killing Joke? Anything? I'm always looking to fall in love with some music and Killing Joke might just be my new ticket... ;)
Having pooped on Placebo, I should add some balance. I love Killing Joke. Even the crap stuff (Outside the Gate in particular) has a certain allure to it that makes me give it more chances than perhaps I should.
I first heard them in 1994 when Geordie and Jaz reunited with Youth for the 'Pandemonium' album, so that is a high water mark for me (combo of personal discovery along with what is generally seen as a return to form). Nothing since then has been anything less than good, and the first two albums, along with Nighttime pretty much essential for me.
They have a compilation called 'Laugh ... I Nearly Bought One' that was the second of theirs that I bought and still stands up. Around the mid-90s many of their albums weren't readily available so this lasted me for years until everything gradually got reissued. It's a good gateway (as is 'Killing Joke for Beginners', which covers lots of ground without resorting to the obvious tracks). They have had a lot of labels, managers and deals over the years, meaning there is a lot of half baked albums out there. It's a messy back catalogue, but that's been part of the enjoyment for me.
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Speaking of Killing Joke, they're embarking on a world tour for their 40th Anniversary, including a slew of UK and US dates.
http://www.post-punk.com/killing-joke-announce-laugh-at-your-peril-40th-anniversary-tour-including-us-dates/
And, since nobody has mentioned it, a couple of years ago they released an album of experimental dub versions of many of their singles from over their career, remixed by Youth. "Killing Joke In Dub." Some tracks are old dubbed out b-sides, and some were brand-new mixes. While not for everyone, it was my absolute favorite record of 2014. Deep, neighbor-inciting bass and interesting 'industrial' dub, sort of like Scorn, only better. Here's a sample.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSve0o8xJRQ
(Best on a BIG sound system. It was released on red black and green vinyl, too.)
Steve
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Ok, Malderor that sounds very interesting to me. Gotta take a look at the album. :)
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Well, like I said, I love it, but I also like industrial dub a la Scorn, Dubblestandart, Techno Animal, etc. Most of the songs are largely unrecognizable, having been altered so deeply from their original forms, but they retain the unmistakable audio "fingerprints" of Youth, somehow. Since I've heard "Love Like Blood" and "Eighties" so many times over my lifetime, I was happy to hear them reinterpreted in new ways.
Steve
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Great! Me too I'm a dub geezer 8). Love the stuff Scorn (M.Harris) does and Techno Animal too. Have you heard an album called Vevé, by Harris, Laswell and Bernochi? Crackin good stuff.
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No, but it'll be next on my morning playlist after some album called "Winter" I'm giving a spin alongside my coffee. Cheers.
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Shit, Killing Joke are touring the UK? At a couple of my favourite venues... :D
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Thoughts on this 40th Anniversary merch.
As an occasional listener who has a few of the early albums I think its ok, but a lot of seasoned fans seem to be rather miffed on the book of face.
I suppose if I already had everything it would be a different story.
https://www.killingjoke.co.uk/
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Yes definitely going to see KJ. Seen them 3 times previously and they didn't disappoint
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Oh Glasgow barrowlands Nov 6 .
No real thoughts on the merch, if you're a fan you would already most of it . If nma were to do the same most of us would think the same. £550 for the vinyl box seems ott to me tho.
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Dependant on how the cash situation goes, I'll deffo be doing Manchester, Nottingham or London... :-\
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Let it be known that I've decided that I'll be seeing Killing Joke in London this November with me best mate. Probably make a mini-break of it of it and do other London related stuff. Can't wait!
Here's 'Democracy' if you fancy listening to an awesome track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXZSF13pM-I
:)
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So, reactivating this thread! KJ are on tour in the UK right now, anyone going to any of those gigs? I'm off to that old London town on Saturday, can't wait! :D
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I went to see them in Manchester last week and thoroughly enjoyed their performance which was peppered with some brilliant life observations from Mr Coleman in between songs. A pretty descent turnout and my audio recording of their show turned out to be very listenable as well.
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I went to see them in Manchester last week and thoroughly enjoyed their performance which was peppered with some brilliant life observations from Mr Coleman in between songs. A pretty descent turnout and my audio recording of their show turned out to be very listenable as well.
Cheers, mate, that made me all the more excited for Saturday! I'll get back to you with a review!
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Ok. Saw Killing Joke in London last Saturday. And my verdict...?
Absolutely superb. Truly one of the best gigs I've seen over the last few years. Intense as heck. A bunch of brilliant musicians of pretty much pensionable age playing harder, tighter and louder than any band half their age would dream to do. Utterly astonishing gig.
Here's 'Wardance'... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5dNG1wMwhk