Live Previews
Set-list? Dunno. But you can be sure there won’t be a dull moment.
Must-see gigs from Killing Joke, The Night Flight Orchestra, Magnum, Bernie Tormé and The Magpie Salute. Plus full gig listings – find out who’s playing where and when.
Frontman Jaz Coleman and bassist Youth, co-founding members of the UK noise terrorists, preview a 12-show 40th-anniversary circuit of the UK.
Today you’re in Argentina. How’s the tour going so far?
Jaz Coleman: Mind blowing. Everywhere was sold out. Last night people were crying in the audience – the first time we’ve had that in Latin America.
You’re not particularly fond of playing in America, though?
JC: I was extremely apprehensive, I’ll be honest. The place has now become so divisive. But we had such a good time that we’re booking a return visit. The people we met blew us away.
You have a new career-encompassing anniversary box set including sixteen albums, headphones, a signed lyric book and assorted pieces of art, all housed in a flight case. Who is such a high-price product aimed at?
Youth: That’s a good question, and I take your point. It was maybe a little over-ambitious for us, but we’re doing a slimmed-down edition that I hope will be ready for the European tour.
Did you choose Turbowolf as special guests? JC: Who the fuck is Turbowolf? Youth: We were presented with a few options and Turbowolf seemed the least offensive.
For a band with so much to say, it seems odd that you’re playing just a ninety-minute set. Youth: On some nights we play for much, much longer than that. It all depends on the mood and how tired we are.
JC: When you’re jet-lagged you sometimes don’t feel like going on stage, but then [yelling into the phone] you just have to man up!
Jaz, back in 2006 you told Classic Rock: “I’m feeling more pessimistic than ever before about the world’s future”. Do you feel any more upbeat now?
JC: I do, and there’s a reason for that – 2006 was the last time I had a drink. One of the biggest causes of my depression was alcohol.
Youth: One of Jaz’s roles within Killing Joke – and a function of the band itself – is to remind us all how precarious our future is. We may be coming to the end days of the way we’ve been living, but I’d like to think there’s still a future to be had.
What about the world’s future in a musical sense? Gene Simmons is forever telling us that rock is dead.
Youth: Traditional rock isn’t something that we’re really interested in; fuck being cabaret at the end of the pier. We’re much more experimental than that.
But I think the spirit of rock and punk is always there. Especially in countries that face economic challenge.
JC: Look, Gene Simmons is a fucking bonehead.
What is Killing Joke’s greatest achievement? JC: At this time in our lives, to realise that we are one of the world’s most influential bands makes me want to pinch myself. Finding out how important our music is to so many people’s lives is awe-inspiring.
How has it happened? JC: I don’t fucking know!
It’s been said that without Killing Joke there would be no Metallica, Nirvana or Ministry. If the Rock And Hall Of Fame wanted to induct you would you be up for that?
Youth: Though it’s not something we’ve ever aspired to, possibly. It was never on our agenda, but… yeah, I supposed we’d be honoured. Some of the band might want to accept, others might not.
JC: We’ll take everything that’s going. Everything! DL The last dates of the tour is in London on November 17.