(From Logo, online music news magazine, 18 August 2003.)

Killing Joke Announce British Live Dates

The self-imposed wilderness period is over. The world is unwell and Killing Joke are back to provide the soundtrack, right on time. Miss them at your peril.


"It's not about reclaiming our throne. Anyone who knows music knows who's who. We just know that the time is right for Killing Joke again. And we're ready." Jaz Coleman, 2003

Killing Joke, legendary post-punk pioneers fresh from the success of their top 30 single 'Loose Cannon' and phenomenal album reviews have announced details of a series of live Brirish dates. The dates will follow the release of their new eponymous album on the 28th of July. Killing Jokes line up for the show will be: Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Raven & Ted Parsons.

Few groups have ever matched Killing Joke for sheer rock'n'roll intensity. Formed in Notting Hill in 1978 they lit up the post punk music scene in the U.K thanks to a rhythmic fury, inflammatory imagery and borderline psychotic stage performances. Often misunderstood for both their doom-laden lyrics and their black humour, Killing Joke nonetheless harboured a near uncontrollable rage at authority to match their political pretensions.

Recorded in London and L.A and produced by Andy Gill (Gang Of Four, Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Killing Joke's brand new self-titled album (released on Zuma Recordings) sees them back to their brooding best. Featuring a line-up including all of their original line up plus none other than long-term fan Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters/ Nirvana) on drums, it's the pulverizing hard rock classic Killing Joke always threatened to make. >From the rolling thunder of the opening 'The Death And Resurrection Show’, to the jackhammer blitzkrieg of 'Seeing Red' to the final 'The House That Pain Built ' it captures the band back to their apocalyptic best. Old fans be reassured: the molten dynamite guitars, explosion-in-a-bass bin rhythms and Coleman's signature death-knell vocals are all present in spades.

As far as the live show and what to expect over to Jaz..."We're going to play a hundred and forty shows around the world this year, and every single one will be a life changing experience for whoever is there. It’s a ritual, a religious ceremony. It will be as intense as it’s ever been. I can’t wait to feel the hackles rising that old shiver down the back. When we play live, there's nothing on earth to touch it.."

OCT
Thu 2nd Wolverhampton Wulfrun

Sat 4th Glasgow Garage Barrowlands

Sun 5th Leeds Cockpit Metro Uni

Mon 6th Manchester University

Tue 7th Nottingham Rock City

Thu 9th tbc

Fri 10th Bristol Academy

Sat 11th London Astoria