Killing Joke

Formed in 1978 by Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Paul Ferguson (drums), Killing Joke quickly established a unique artistic identity through their fusion of post-punk, industrial rock, and gothic rock. With the addition of Geordie Walker (guitar) and Youth (bass), the band released their debut EP, ‘Turn to Red,’ in 1979, which immediately garnered attention from BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel and earned extensive airplay. This early success was followed by their self-titled debut album in 1980 and ‘What’s THIS For…!’ in 1981, both initially distributed through their self-started label Malicious Damage before E.G. Records, solidifying their reputation for distinctive musical style and powerful live performances across the UK.

In 1982, Killing Joke released ‘Revelations,’ recorded in Germany, which peaked at No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart. The mid-1980s marked a period of significant mainstream recognition with the 1985 album ‘Night Time’ and its lead single, ‘Love Like Blood,’ which charted in the top ten in Belgium, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Despite subsequent lineup changes, including the departure of Youth and the introduction of Paul Raven on bass, the band maintained their characteristic sound, releasing influential albums such as ‘Pandemonium’ in 1994 and a second self-titled album in 2003, featuring Dave Grohl on drums.

Killing Joke further solidified their enduring presence with subsequent albums, including ‘MMXII’ in 2012 and ‘Pylon’ in 2015, the latter entering the UK albums chart at No. 16. Killing Joke continues to build on their legacy of uncompromising musical vision, influencing a wide array of artists across genres, including Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and My Bloody Valentine. Their most recent release, the ‘Lord of Chaos’ EP in 2022, further demonstrates their consistent artistic output and continued relevance in the global rock landscape.