• 1978-

  Jaz ColemanLead vocals, keyboards1978-

  Geordie (Kevin Walker)Guitar1979-2023

  Paul FergusonDrums1978-

  Youth (Martin Glover)Bass1979-

  Paul RavenBass1982-2007

  Reza UhdinKeyboars2005-
• Jaz Coleman is a tortured soul. He claims to suffer from constant panic attacks and to get about three hours of sleep every night. Killing Joke music is his outlet, providing relief from his pain.
• In 2012, the band was slated to tour with The Cult and The Mission, but they begged off in a very public way: announcing on Facebook that they weren't going, and never wanted to in the first place. The post, signed by "Black Jester" (assumed to be Coleman), stated: "The only reason we allowed ourselves to be talked into it was to blow both bands off the stage and to steal their respective audiences."
  
  It continued: "Then there would be a problem with the dressing room and witnessing The Cult charge the fans $200 per head for a Meet & Greet. Lastly, all their songs suck!"
• The band has an interest in the occult and supports various conspiracy theories. In 1982, Coleman moved to Iceland, claiming the apocalypse was coming and he would be safe there. His bandmates followed, but they all returned to England when they were satisfied that the world was not ending.
• Killing Joke claims to have little interest in hit songs or commercial success. Coleman says the goal has always been "complete control over our environment."
• In our 2015 interview with Jaz Coleman, he cited some of Beethoven's symphonies as a musical influence, but said there was no contemporary music he liked. Said Coleman: "Half the motivation for being in a band is making music you can't find anywhere else."
• Early in the career, the band kept their surnames secret, just going by Jaz, Paul, Geordie and Youth.
• Jaz is from Cheltenham. His parents were both teachers, and of blended ancestry. He says that he doesn't claim any culture as his own, as he is a mix. "I don't relate to anybody and I'm really proud of that," he said.
• The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl is such a huge fan of Killing Joke, he did all of the drumming on their self-titled 2003 album free of charge.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Passionate KissesLucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams wrote and recorded "Passionate Kisses" four years before it was a hit for Mary Chapin Carpenter.

KokomoThe Beach Boys

"Kokomo" gave The Beach Boys their first #1 hit in 22 years. They picked the title because it sounded tropical.

Only The Good Die YoungBilly Joel

"Virginia" in "Only The Good Die Young" is named after a real girl Billy Joel was trying to impress.

You're BeautifulJames Blunt

The James Blunt song "You're Beautiful" is not romantic: it's a about a creepy subway encounter with an ex.

All I Wanna DoSheryl Crow

"All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow started with the first line from an obscure poem called "Fun" that read, "All I wanna do is have some fun."

Handle With CareThe Traveling Wilburys

"Handle With Care" started as a George Harrison song with guest appearances by Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, but it went so well the five of them decided to form a group - The Traveling Wilburys - and record an entire album.

Editor's Picks

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."