[kj] Top 50 songs of 2000-2010

[Alex Smith]

If memory serves, I discovered Killing Joke around the same time I was otherwise immersed in hardcore. My indoctrination to the band was the video for "Eighties." What I liked about them is that at that point in the proceedings, they personified a balance between the aggressive aesthetic of punk and melodic accessibility. From NIGHTTIME, I went backwards and hungrily devoured their earlier stuff, loving the angrier, less polished, more experimental material. Unfortunately, by the time BTATS rolled around, the balance was lost..... KJ was effectively chasing the dragon of mainstream acceptance and ultimately selling themselves out. But circa NIGHTTIME, they were the perfect band for me.

Now in terms of hardcore, I pretty much checked out and stopped really following it by the end of the 80's. I can't say what it was like in other cities, but the NYHC scene was overtaken by hordes of morons who seemed more intent on the "contact sport" element (i.e. burly thugs swinging their arms around, intentionally trying to hurt people) that with the music or the original sentiments. I didn't have any interest in the more slackjawed crop of local bands (Madball, 25 Ta Life and all that bores the shit out of me). It struck me that the "punk" aspect of NYHC was totally excised (both sartorially and musically). What was left was a bunch of sweaty guys in sports jerseys in a glorified rugby scrum. No thanks. Jocks, once again, ruin everything.

That's when I got more and more into Anglo bands like the Mission (who I used to love), the Sisters, the Nephs, Theatre of Hate, etc. etc. and then-christened "college rock" like the Feelies, the Plimsouls, the Hoodoo Gurus and whatnot. After a while, I got tired of worrying about the distinctions. 

Alex in NYC



-----Original Message-----

>From: "B. Oliver Sheppard" <bigblackhair at sbcglobal.net>

>Sent: Apr 16, 2010 1:59 PM

>To: Alex Smith <vassifer at earthlink.net>, "A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)" <gathering at misera.net>

>Subject: Re: [kj] Top 50 songs of 2000-2010

>

>Meh, well - We're passionate about music.  You've turned me into good 

>bands/tunes  -- and we're Gatherers, although I'm a later-comer than you 

>-- I think!

>

>I just got into KJ as, as I've said, they've inncreasingly gone down 

>this path of Motorhead-ization. I now some folks hate it. I like it 

>though. I like bands that go all over map. I transitioned from DIY 

>hc/punk to Hosannas and it"clicked" for me, somehow. Some folks seem to 

>want endless repititions of variations of "Love Like Blood." I've always 

>considered you one of the big guns on this list - I just come at KJ from 

>the Motorhead/"The Wait"/"Tabazan"/"Universe B,"  etc. side of the 

>fence. I've always respected your opinion.

>

>-0liver

>

>

>

>On 4/16/10 12:50 PM, Alex Smith wrote:

>>

>> Read again. I said "That's RIGht" That means, that you were correct and I wasn't.

>>

>>    

>