(from the NME, 29 May 1982)

T-zers

Hi! I'm this week's installment of The Killing Joke Story. (Cue groans of boredom and disbelief, cries of "is that the best thing you could bring back?") And I go something like this . . . .

It was a day much like any other day at the NME office, when a furtive, hooded figure was seen to cast his shadow across our door.  In the stranger's bony grip was a plain brown envelope, only the printed legend "Reykjavik" to betray its place of origin.  Wordlessly, the messenger left his missive and scurried away, who knows where?  Inside, an unsigned letter headed "Dear Readers" -- that's you, wake up -- presumably from those Icelandic abscondees, Geordie 'n' Jaz. In the letter, the pair denounce their supposed partners, the local band Peyr, as a "vile enterprise" who shall no longer be allowed to associate themselves with Killing Joke. However, KJ (Icelandic chapter) say they are working with some local musos, will record a single 'The Gathering/Spill The Beans' at the end of this month, followed by some UK, US and European dates, and an LP. They conclude: "As far as our longterm future goes we intend to stay in Iceland and continue our studies of strategic locations, geomancy and wind directions, and . . . .

PS We bitterly miss being spat on by potential squaddies.  PPS: We're only Joking. "  Phew, that's a relief.