Original KILLING JOKE Lineup Reunites After 25 Years For New Album And World Tour

After numerous lineup changes through the years, all original KILLING JOKE members have reunited for a new album and world tour.

Drummer Paul Ferguson has rejoined the band for the first time since 1987, enabling a whole new generation of fans to see KILLING JOKE's legendary original formation. Diehard fans have been waiting for this moment for two decades! Bassist Martin "Youth" Glover also steps back into the live arena after a near-15-year hiatus, having not played live with KILLING JOKE since 1994's Pandemonium tour.

The tour will see KILLING JOKE take up a two night residency in most venues offering a different set on each evening. On the first night, they will play their first two albums in their entirety, 1980's self-titled album followed by the LP "What's This…For!" Their second performance in each city will treat fans to 1994's "Pandemonium" and the Island Records singles of '79 to '80.

Once described by Ferguson as "the sound of the earth vomiting," KILLING JOKE is anthemic and grandiose in its evocation of nightmare visions. Taking a sarcastic jab at authority and perceived reality to a sonically charged mixture of post punk and metal, KILLING JOKE's heavy guitars and pounding tribal drums conjure a primitive atmosphere of doom, gloom and resistance.

Notorious for their use of inflammatory imagery, a backlash against a world they perceived as ever more materialistic, unjust and conservative, KILLING JOKE, railed against the establishment and created a unique sound from their very conception.

Ironically, in the current musical climate with its obsession with rehashing Eighties sounds, the '80s saw KILLING JOKE really pushing music forward, incorporating danceable elements with aggressive, grinding guitars and thumping drums. With elements of proto-techno rock, their post apocalyptic vision has inspired bands as diverse and influential as NIRVANA, MINISTRY, NINE INCH NAILS, FOO FIGHTERS, SOUNDGARDEN and GODFLESH. KILLING JOKE have always been and continue to be more than just a band.

Godfathers of post-punk, KILLING JOKE return with their eagerly anticipated new album to coincide with their world tour. The release date for the new CD will be announced later.

Frontman Jaz Coleman comments: "At last a ray of sunlight to illuminate these dark days. It is indeed my deepest pleasure to announce the dates of the 29th anniversary of the gathering. As usual, we are never content sitting on the laurels of past glories. A new KILLING JOKE recording is scheduled this summer! Both Geordie and myself are thrilled as we hope you are with the lineup. Such anticipation comes as no surprise considering we have not played together since the Brighton Top Rank in 1982. We always knew this day would come after all it was inevitable. We hope all gatherers will join us in warmly welcoming back to active service our brothers Big Paul and Youth. The mysterious chemistry of the original line up is back, let there be gladness in your hearts."

KILLING JOKE live dates (venues to be confirmed):

Sep. 13 - Tokyo, Japan
Sep. 14 - Tokyo, Japan
Sep. 16 - Madrid, Spain
Sep. 17 - Barcelona, Spain
Sep. 19 - Milan, Italy
Sep. 20 - Milan, Italy
Sep. 22 - Geneva, Switzerland
Sep. 24 - Berlin, Germany
Sep. 25 - Berlin, Germany
Sep. 26 - Paris, France
Sep. 27 - Paris, France
Sep. 29 - Brussels, Belgium
Sep. 30 - Brussels, Belgium
Oct. 02 - London, UK
Oct. 03 - London, UK

Two shows in New York City are also in the works.