this is the thread where we talk about how much Living In The 80's by Killing Joke rules.

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I don't know about you, but I like it.

Post your Alex in NYC answers below.

― Mike Taylor (mjt), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Darkness before dawn is pretty cool too, KJ could teach The Clean a thing or two.

― Mike Taylor (mjt), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:03 (twenty-two years ago)

the Clean? surely shome mistake?

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:05 (twenty-two years ago)

So what does Alex think of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, anyway?

― chuck, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I should probably qualify that, I have been listening to The Clean Anthology lately, and I think it is mostly crap except for Point That Thing Somewhere Else, which utterly rocks.

If only PTTSE has the same amount of bombast.

― Mike Taylor (mjt), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:09 (twenty-two years ago)

80's is hardly a boil on "Requiem"'s ass though -- Alex knows I'm right

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Goddammit, it's not "Living in the 80s", it's "EIGHTIES". Get it right, novices!

http://www.an-irrational-domain.net/images/geordie/geordie14.JPG

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry were alright.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 03:55 (twenty-two years ago)

"Livin' in the '80s" by the Zero Boys = also a great song

― Pete Scholtes, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 04:03 (twenty-two years ago)

"Livin' in the '80s by the Zero Boys = also a great song"

My favorite Zero Boys song is "Civilization's Dying". It is nice to see a someone reference those guys, being from Indiana.

― earlnash, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 04:10 (twenty-two years ago)

http://missionofburma.com/bgu/original/Roll5DX-10400.jpg

Sorry, Alex, just had to put up the obligatory non sequitur Clint Conley photo on this thread dedicated to your honor since I like you so much.

― BurmaKitty (BurmaKitty), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 04:30 (twenty-two years ago)

What a great riff, might just take it and make a bundle. Then maybe I wouldn't feel so goddam depressed all the time

― dave qobain, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 11:27 (twenty-two years ago)

While we're on the subject, does anyone know any websites with KJ interviews?

Particularly with Geordie and particularly about his guitar technique?

― mei (mei), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 13:24 (twenty-two years ago)

http://killing-joke.com/index1.html

http://www.an-irrational-domain.net/

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 13:41 (twenty-two years ago)

s'alright... people always talk about "eighties" .. never thought it was that great .. Why don't more people talk about "Change" or "Tension" ?

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 13:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Both great too.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 13:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Main riff from "Change" = "Me & Baby Brother" by War
"Tension" = "My Sharona," of course.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 13:43 (twenty-two years ago)

"Pssyche" is the best.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 13:51 (twenty-two years ago)

And a couple of votes for "Complications" and "Follow the Leader" here...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I had this track on a compilation. I liked it well enough. This has been my only exposure to Killing Joke. I think Alex in NYC is a fruitpeddling crazy.

― Jon Williams (ex machina), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:23 (twenty-two years ago)

I have never peddled fruit in my life.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:41 (twenty-two years ago)

ALEX IN NYC = LATE NIGHT INFOMERCIAL
KILLING JOKE = ENERGY DEVICES THAT VIOLATES LAWS OF ENTROPY

― Jon Williams (ex machina), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Also "The Wait" is just incredibly beautiful

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:47 (twenty-two years ago)

JON WILLIAMS = FIRE-DISHONORING, PABULUM ADDICTED CHEESE MONKEY

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I think "The Wait" may be my fave KJ song, altho "Requiem" is definitely up there.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:53 (twenty-two years ago)

[PICTURE OF METAL DUDE]
HAIL!

― Jon Williams (ex machina), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 14:53 (twenty-two years ago)

No one has yet mentioned my KJ favs: "Night Time" and "The Fall Of Because".

― rex jr., Wednesday, 19 March 2003 18:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I would buy whatever Alex is selling in his informercial, he's very convincing.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 18:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Is it ok that "Adorations" is my favourite KJ song? I let ILX run my life, don't you know.

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 18:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't like "EIGHTIES", heh.

― rex jr., Wednesday, 19 March 2003 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Can we talk about how crap Metallica's "Wait" is?

― dave q, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

It's CRAP! Holy sweet mother of fuck is it CRAP.

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 18:59 (twenty-two years ago)

"Adorations" was a dissapointment to me when it came out, but not nearly as much as "America," the first single off Outside the Gate, which was so bad I nearly cried for a month.

"Eighties" is not only my favorite Killing Joke song, but probably my favorite song of all time (followed swiftly by "She Sells Sanctuary" by the Cult, "Loose" by the Stooges, "[I'm] Stranded" by the Saints and "Hybrid Moments" by the Misfits). That said, Killing Joke -- to my entirely biased ears -- have more great songs than you can shake a flaming broadsword of infernal damnation at, including "The Wait" (and yes, Metallica's rendition is ham-fisted at best), "Wardance," "Let's All Go (to the Fire Dances)", "A New Day", "Pssyche", "Money is Not Our God," and about a bajillion more.

And yes, "Night Time" and "Fall of Because" are both godlike....but so are "Tabazan", "Darkness Before Dawn", "Follow the Leader", "Tension", "Kings & Queens", "Chop Chop", "Butcher" etc. etc. etc.

http://www.an-irrational-domain.net/images/jaz/jaz84eighties.JPG

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Actually, I was kinda joking about Metallica's version of "The Wait". It's not great, but they did hteir best with their limited abilities. "Adorations" is my fave mostly because it was the first KJ song I got into (thanks to Sean C.) 13 years ago or so. "Let's All Go (to the Fire Dances)" and "Frenzy" are also big faves, well, all of 'Fire Dances', I guess.

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I know people that honestly think the Metallica version of the Wait is far, far better. The way they take about fifteen minutes to play the chorus because they do their plodding, growling palm-muted thing makes me despair.

― Ferg (Ferg), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:16 (twenty-two years ago)

"requiem" and "war dance" are my fave KJ songs.

― Tad (llamasfur), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:19 (twenty-two years ago)

This is my favorited Killing Joke song. I love the video too.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:20 (twenty-two years ago)

My problem with Metallica's version of "The Wait" is Lars's drumming. For one reason or another, he simply cannot match the thumping, tribal wallop of the original (courtesy of Big Paul Ferguson), but instead settles for the bog-standard, high-hat-bothering 4/4 beat....robbing the `choon of its breakneck, galloping stride and peculiar, menacing urgency.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex, did you ever see that one episode of "120 Minutes" back in the Dave Kendall days when they did like a 15 minute piece on KJ?

― hstencil, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah. Have it on tape, actually.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:33 (twenty-two years ago)

The guitar tone is all wrong on the Metallica version of "The Wait" as well. I wonder what song Spencer was talking about? It would also be very nice if someone could CHANGE THE FUCKING TITLE OF THIS THREAD.

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:35 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm not sure if I have it on tape, but I used to. Lots of good KJ concert footage.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 19:35 (twenty-two years ago)

"Eighties" is your favorite Killing Joke song, Alex? And you're a Killing Joke fan? I find this very surprising, I've always thought of "Eighties" as pretty pale next to KJ's mightiest moments (those cited onthread: "Fall of Because," "The Wait," "Reqiuem" especially, "Wardance").

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 20:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Sue me. It is. And as you'd imagine, it's a song that's hotly debated among the faithful (http://www.misera.net/gathering/). Many say it's crap, others praise it. Personally speaking, I think it's perfect, but I can see how some people might balk at its repetitiveness.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 20:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I was in the audience when the video for "Money is Not Our God" was shot. Cabaret Metro - 1989? My brush with fame....

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 20:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Did Martyn Atkins spit water on you? Did you get one of those Jaz dollar bills?

― hstencil, Wednesday, 19 March 2003 20:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Did Martyn Atkins spit water on you?

That's such a clichéd move, and he still does it (he did it onstage with the Damage Manual not too, too long ago, anyway).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 20:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I wish I had gotten one of those bills ... They didn't fall too far from the stage - so only the people in front got them. I probably could have clawed for one .. at the time I thought it wasn't a big deal.. Now, I wish I had hurt somebody for one...

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 20:45 (twenty-two years ago)

I admitted, I forced Bryan to honour the fire. Oddly, I still love a good chunk of side one of Brighter than a Thousand Suns; I totally loved how it was so heavy yet beautiful all at the same time. As far as the previous album, I liked "Eighties" okay but it was always "Love Like Blood" for me (how obvious). And yeah, possibly "The Wait" or "Wardance" kicks all of the above.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 21:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd take "Tension", "Madness", "The Land Of Milk And Honey", "Me or You", or "Let's All Go (To The Fire Dances)" over all of the above... but good choices all 'round.

No one really talks about how much the Joke seemed to co-opt the stomping 70s glam rock sound of Gary Glitter, and give it a ghoulish vibe.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 21:26 (twenty-two years ago)

No one really talks about how much the Joke seemed to co-opt the stomping 70s glam rock sound of Gary Glitter, and give it a ghoulish vibe.

They totally did....also borrowed heavily from the Sensational Alex Harvey band.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 21:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex – do you like Deadsy?

― Fivvy (Fivvy), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 21:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Thanks for the links Alex. I've checked some out and there are a few Tabs but I really want more on his whole approach and style.

Going to get some of the interviews/articles from those sites and print them off tommorrow in work.

The only thing I've got about Geordie's guitar playing yet is a little article in a guitar mag I bought years ago and can't find now where he says how grateful he is to his mother for buying him a Les Paul goldtop when he was young (or was it a 355? or 335?).

They asked him about the whole Eighties/CAYA/Nirvana thing and particularly Kurt Cobain's suicide and he said "He'd have saved everyone a lot of bother if he'd just shot the wife".

― mei (mei), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 22:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I believe he also said when asked about the lawsuit, "Well he's dead, isn't he?"

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 22:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex – do you like Deadsy?

No, they're embarassing, though I applaud their moxie for attempting to cover a Rush tune.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 23:18 (twenty-two years ago)

I figured. No one finds Deadsy awesome but me. Maybe it's my unshakable and self-damaging love of awkwardness.

And I think they succeeded in covering Tom Sawyer, however grim the results.

― Fivvy (Fivvy), Wednesday, 19 March 2003 23:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Maybe it's the Cher connection.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 20 March 2003 00:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Would you like the music if they severed the Cher connection?

― Fivvy (Fivvy), Thursday, 20 March 2003 00:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Not really. They'd still be kinda embarassing (what's with that whole sinister prep school gimmick?), but any connection to Cher -- however tenuous -- is assuredly a bad thing (just ask Gene Simmons).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 20 March 2003 00:19 (twenty-two years ago)

The sinister prep school gimmick is my favorite! But very ridiculous and hard to take seriously. This is compounded by frontman/Cher-connector's amazing, unflagging pretentiousness. I think this heighten's their greatness.

They cover Joy Division live, usually.

― Fivvy (Fivvy), Thursday, 20 March 2003 00:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex,

I cannot believe I forgot this
BurmaKitty-Clint Conley-Killing Joke connection.

The first official gift I can ever remember giving to Mr. Conley was the first Killing Joke lp for Clint's birthday in 1981. He may have already had it, but he said he didn't and was happy to get it.

Wow!

Alex in NYC and Clint Conley

PRACTICALLY RELATED!

― BurmaKitty (BurmaKitty), Thursday, 20 March 2003 01:25 (twenty-two years ago)

nine months pass...

Can we still talk about this or is it too late?

Any how, I'm listening to "Eighties" this second. RIGHT NOW! The thing is, I want to get through to Alex, even though I don't think I really have any chance of, is that Killing Joke have better songs.

And I'd also like to say that the original Killing Joke line up was the best! The line up on the new album is second best! It's just great when Raven is in the band!

― Aja (aja), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 16:40 (twenty-two years ago)

three months pass...

And where was I when this thread happened?

[consults 2003 diary]

Oh cruel fate, I was on holiday 'til the very next day!

Otherwise, of course, there's absolutely no way that I'd have failed to fulfill my contractual liability to state, every time anyone (particularly, but not exclusively, anyone whose name begins with the letter "A", rhymes with "lex" and who lives in or around the NYC area) mentions "Eighties" by Killing Joke, that THEY STOLE THAT BASSLINE FROM "LIFE GOES ON" FROM THE ALBUM STRAWBERRIES BY THE DAMNED!

Glad we've got that straight now.

My fave 'Joke songs? Turn To Red, Nervous System, Are You Receiving?, Pssyche, Wardance, The Fall Of Because, Tension, Unspeakable, Follow The Leaders, The Hum, Empire Song, We Have Joy, Love Like Blood, Money Is Not Our God.... please don't make me choose!

Aja's right, the original line-up was best.

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Friday, 16 April 2004 08:50 (twenty-one years ago)

That version of "Chop Chop" off the telly where Jaz had nicked off to Iceland.

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 16 April 2004 08:52 (twenty-one years ago)

You mean the TOTP appearance where "Jaz" "appeared" wearing what I believe was a white fire-fighters suit and helmet / mask?

That was "Empire Song" rather than "Chop Chop" wasn't it?

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Friday, 16 April 2004 09:39 (twenty-one years ago)

weird that the Lorries are refernced high in this thread.. i saw the Lorries supporting the Joke @ Leeds Uni in 87. K-Joke were not on form .. they were rotten live whereas the Lorries were blinding .. (were there connections between bands??)
i fully realise that the recorded output does indeed idicate that this is reverse logic .. but Jaz and the gang had got lost on the way to the uni and were very late on stage and obviously in a foul mood. they just blasted the songs out in a ruch, overly distorted the pa and generally p*ssed off the audience (a desired result perhaps ..)
but a good night all in all ..

― mark e (mark e), Friday, 16 April 2004 09:59 (twenty-one years ago)

The one I'm thinking of was on the Oxford Roadshow, or similar. Jaz was represented by a scarecrow, and the drummer 'sang' although it might have been a mimimg. I'm almost positive it was "Chop Chop".

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 16 April 2004 10:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I found this: It was "Riverside" apparently.

http://www.noise-online.com/killingjokearticle.html

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 16 April 2004 10:03 (twenty-one years ago)

"(a desired result perhaps ..)"

Quite possibly.

Particularly at a Uni.

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Friday, 16 April 2004 10:04 (twenty-one years ago)

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