(From the NME, 21 August 1982)

As the Killing Joke saga enters its 27th exciting week . . .

Now Jaz Calls in Connie

From his hastily-assembled NME outpost, a makeshift tent high on a suburban Reykjavik volcano-side,  our special Icelandic correspondent lays down his flask of warm reindeer milk and files another episode in the Killing Joke saga.  This week: Jaz and Geordie get homesick. . .

Dear London, as per instructions, I am following events here with an ear to the ground and an eye to my telescope - but have to report that things are more confusing than ever.

As revealed in previous instalments, Jaz defected to this country, soon to be followed by fellow Joke Geordie, severing all ties with their former Killing Joke colleagues.  Claiming rights to retain the Killing Joke name, the prodigal pair announced their intention of staying in Iceland, working with top local group Peyr, and opening a new "barbaric" club.

It now transpires that Jaz and Geordie have returned to the UK for a brief business visit, after which they'll come back to Iceland to live in a tiny village outside Reykjavik.  They intend to make an LP with Peyr, to be produced by Connie Plank some time next month.

As for the new club, situated inside Reykjavik University, the opening night turned out to be an anti-climax: Peyr played, Jaz watched, then naffed off after five minutes.

Jaz has already recorded three tracks with Peyr - 'The Catalyst', 'Guess Again' and 'Take What's Mine' -- but the Icelanders themselves are unsure about future collaborations. We learn, for instance, of "personal differences" between them and their English guests, and of conflicting attitudes to their mutual interest, the occult -- Jaz's concern is thought to be more sinister than Peyr's.  In fact, Peyr have written a song called 'All That . . .' dedicated to Jaz and less than flattering in content.

Peyr, meanwhile, have lined up a summer visit to Britain on their own account, and have an LP, 'As Above', to be released by London label Shout Records on May 3.  Peyr also feature in a film called Rokk i Reykjavik, which Shout would like to get screened in England as part of their efforts to popularise Icelandic acts in that market.

First expenses chit follows by next courier.

--Denver Sweetly

(Hey Denny, where's all the black magic puns then? --Ed)

(Well actually, Ed, things are getting a bit eerie over here and I was hoping we could lay off the occult angle this week.  Oh, and Ed--)

(Yes Denny? -- Ed)

(For Christ's sake DON'T CALL ME DENNY! -- D Sweetly)