 There
aren't too many left. Time as always keeps marching
on and bands (and lives) fall by the way the wayside.
Since their inception in 1978, Killing Joke are
one of the few that are still left standing. After
countless band changes and years past, their current
album and tour consists of it's original line-up.
There aren't too many left. Time as always keeps
marching on and bands (and lives) fall by the
way the wayside. Since their inception in 1978,
Killing Joke are one of the few that are still
left standing. After countless band changes and
years past, their current album and tour consists
of it's original line-up.
Tonight they bring us to Nottingham Rock City.
The crowd has an age range rarely seen at many
gigs, yet a fiery temperament which ignites as
Killing Joke grace the stage. Bassist Martin 'Youth'
Glover and guitarist Geordie Walker appear first,
then 'Big' Paul Ferguson makes himself comfortable
behind the drum kit. A huge roar reverberates
around the venue as iconic front man Jaz Coleman
emerges on stage. His body covered in boiler suit,
and his face a harrowing pale white and black
make-up.
 His body judders and shakes rigidly as the band
fire through a set which spans their 14 album
history. Classics such as Love Like Blood and
Requiem sit perfectly in balance next to freshly
cut track European Super State. Each song is led
into the next with a statement. Jaz wastes no
time in questioning our motivations and highlighting
what is wrong with the world. “There are
eight more nuclear power plants due to be built
in the UK. Isn't that depressing? I'll tell you,
it's more depressing that most of us don't even
have an opinion.” Declares Jaz mid set.
And rightly so. Killing Joke and their fans stand
for more than just a musical relationship. Their
methodology and beliefs are a alluring spectacle,
and to be included in these snippets of wisdom
is truly inspiring.
The crowd really erupts during the unmistakably
thumping introduction to fan favourite Asteroid.
The whole room becomes more alive then ever as
the machine gun riffs and Coleman's roar howl
throughout the venue. The audience remain in full
flow as the high energy Depth Charge provides
a perfect second auditory punch to the face.
 The set has it's few hiccups. Issues with the
sound and feedback made for small distractions
from the audio assault before us. But all in all
the band remained tight, supercharged and relentless.
Disgust covers Coleman's face as a glance at
the clock is turned into a quick word from one
of the crew. “They want to cut our set short
due to a strict curfew. Fuck that. We're playing
what we came here to play.” Declared Coleman.
Geordie comically chimes in; “I told you
it was too long when I wrote it out.”
Their encore consisted of one final track, the
unmistakable Pandemonium. A sing along chorus
of “I can see tomorrow, I can see the world
to come” I hit note for note by the audience
is pure amazement. The band leave the stage with
a simple thank you, back into the darkness from
which they emerged.
Jaz asked us earlier within the set, “Are
you happy with your lives? Are you getting a good
deal?”
Yes the world has it's issues, and times most
certainly are tough. But if bands such as Killing
Joke can keep coming back to their native turf
and play shows such as this, which are not only
inspiring, but truly motivational. Then yes, I
think life's not too bad. And tonight was the
best deal this audience received in a long time.
5/5
Review By Phil Davies Photos by: Angela Martin
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