Killing Joke
When: 6th April 2022
Location: Barrowland
Killing Joke are a post-punk turned visionary art metal act. Coming to Glasgow’s Barrowland for one night only on 6th April 2022.
Killing Joke took shape in London in the late ’70s, formed by frontman Jaz Coleman. He had been part of some reggae bands, decided he didn’t want to be in anyone else’s band anymore. Queuing for the dole, he met a man who boasted knowing the perfect drummer. That led to an introduction to Paul Ferguson. Shortly after, the pair put an ad in Melody Maker. An annoying caller, Geordie Walker, pestered them and even showed up one day with nowhere to live. Coleman said he could stay – and, after finally hearing Walker play guitar, realised he was a brilliant musician. Then Walker discovered Youth, Killing Joke’s fourth member and bassist, living above a brothel.
Like their unusual formation, the band are known for their eccentric behaviour. Their debut self-titled album came out in 1980, with their follow-up What’s THIS For…! arriving in 1981. After the release of the No.12-charting album Revelations in early 1982, Youth left and was replaced by Paul Raven. Later that year, immersed in the occult and fearing an apocalypse, Coleman fled to Iceland, trailed by Walker. They worked with musicians from the band Þeyr, returning to Killing Joke when an apocalypse did not arise.
The group achieved mainstream success in 1985 thanks to the album Night Time. It was produced by Chris Kimsey (The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin).
Throughout the late ’80s, Killing Joke released more albums and but none achieved the same level of success. The band also broke up for a time, but reformed again. In 1990, they unveiled their eighth album Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions showcasing a heavier, industrial sound
Into the 90s
Killing Joke made another ambitious and even heavier, harder-edged album with Pandemonium in 1994. It was recorded in such far-flung places as London, New Zealand as well as Cairo. Where they bribed someone to allow them into the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Throughout numerous differences, line-up changes, side projects and a lengthy disbanding, Killing Joke released six more albums over the next two decades. 1996’s Democracy, 2003’s Killing Joke (their second self-titled album following the 1980 debut). In addition the 2006’s Hosannas From The Basements Of Hell, 2010’s Absolute Dissent. Not to mention the 2012’s MMXII and 2015’s Pylon.
In 2018, Killing Joke celebrated their 40th anniversary with a worldwide tour. While 2020 was filled with a series of album reissues – all coming with revised artwork from Mike Coles, the band’s longstanding designer.
In June 2021, Killing Joke announced the Honour The Fire tour, their first UK headline dates in over three years. Set for 28 March – 9 April 2022, they’ll have their collective nostrils flared and righteous anger carried torch-high.
