Anyone Else Into Killing Joke (The Band)?

Though the comic's good too. Still, the question stands.

Personally, I've always liked 'em, and I've been listening to them a lot lately. It helps that they influenced a LOT of bands I like.

The only records by them I don't like are Outside the Gate (which was never meant to be a Joke record to begin with!) and The Courtauld Talks (pointless spoken-word thing much?). The first several records (roughly from the 1980 self-titled to Brighter Than A Thousand Suns) are the ones I listen to the most, though...

Also, the restored mix of Brighter Than A Thousand Suns is the only one to listen to. Ever. Adds a LOT of muscle to the guitars and bass and turns down the synths a bit.

edited 15th Jul '14 1:11:03 PM by sharkcrap11

I like them, but haven't heard everything - the albums I've heard are the debut, Night Time, and Pandemonium... Also, Laugh? I Nearly Bought One if you count compilations. I remember I initially heard them because "Millennium" was on some label promo sampler, but really decided to check them out when I came to learn 1) they did the original version of "The Wait" (as covered by Metallica) and 2) Nirvana's "Come As You Are" was allegedly a Suspiciously Similar Song to "Eighties".

I'd recommend What's THIS For...!, Revelations, Fire Dances and the remastered/restored version of Brighter Than A Thousand Suns, as well. Pretty seminal Post-Punk / borderline-Alternative Metal / Industrial Metal stuff.

"The Wait" is still an awesome song. Both versions- Metallica did a good job with that one. Apparently there was a big legal kerfuffle around the whole "Come As You Are" similarity to "Eighties" thingy which was finally resolved by having Dave Grohl drum on KJ's 2003 self-titled album. YES. And Foo Fighters covered "Requiem'' and did a good job of it, too.

Also, "Eighties" itself is very similar to a song by The Damned called "Life Goes On". Weird how these things go...

edited 16th Jul '14 2:04:07 AM by sharkcrap11

I like them, but I am by no means familiar enough with their oeuvre to make sweeping judgements. However, if you dig their early work, I might recommend a few post-punk bands that they resemble or took influence from that you might not have otherwise heard of.

Okay, shoot. I may have heard of some of them. I may not. Either way, I'm open to hearing about 'em...

Still waiting for those bands, JHM.

Favorite KJ albums: the first one, What's THIS For...!, Fire Dances and Night Time (the best of their couple of attempts to get poppier). Anyone else have favorite they'd like to share?

I like Hosannas... Go psycho!

That's probly one of their best latter-day albums, I'd say.