I think the Damage Manual *I* EP and *The Complete Murder Inc.* might be better than any Killing Joke albums I've heard since *Revelations*! Thing is, they are both Killing Joke spinoffs with lots of the same people as each other, right? Anyway, not trying to start an argument, I just realized I've never heard you mention these, though it's possible I just wasn't paying attention. (In fact, instead of putting them up aginst the honorable fire itself, how about I just put them up against each other: Which one do you think is better? I'm curious!)
Also, did you ever hear Static X's *Wisconsin Death Trip*? Because that always reminded me of Killing Joke, too. They were actually a pretty good band once, back for their gutiarist starting being charged with kidnapping and sexual assault and stuff.
― xhuxk, Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:00 (twenty years ago)
Chuck -- are you coming to 288 tonight???
I have mixed feelings about both the Damage Manual and Murder Inc. For all intents and purposes, both acts should have been positively brilliant, but I cant' say I harbor a lot of enthusiasm for either (though if I had to pick one, I'd probably go with DM). Murder Inc. had such a stellar line-up, but I can't say I'm especially fond of Chris Connelly's vocals. The title track is nice, and there are one or two other tracks that deliver the goods, but overall, it just sort've lays flat for me. Moreover, I've never understood the whole two drummer thing. Both Big Paul and Atkins are amazing players, but together, the entire rhythm section is just reduced to a dull rumble, like an avalanche of kicks and toms. It's overkill.
The Damage Manual showed a bit more promise (though again with the Connelly --- supposedly Atkins approached John Lydon to handle the vocals first. He declined -- shocker). I quite like "Blame & Demand" and "Sunset Gun" (which, let's face it, is simply a cover of "When the Levee Breaks"). Both Geordie and Wobble were unhappy with Atkins handling of the final mix (all cut up and augmented with scratching, etc.), which is supposedly why Wobble flew the coop. I saw them at Wetlands with the bass player from My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult filling in and one of the Sheep On Drugs guys on keybs. While it was great to see Geordie (this during a long period of Joke inactivity), it didn't leave much of an impression on me. As much of a raving loon as he is, I think they really need Jaz there to provide the focus and propulsion.
I can't get around Wayne from Static X's Don King hair and cookie monster vocals, but I can't say I've listened to that whole album. Think I'd dig it?
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 30 July 2005 21:33 (twenty years ago)
you might, alex! i tend to cringe at most cookie monsters too, but for some reason the ugly vocals didn't bother me here; they had a good forward push to their grunting, or something. never liked anything the band did later, though. (i always thought the kid n play high top fade thing was kinda amusing, though.)
as for tonite's fap, i'd forgotten about it; barely had time to think about it this week, which was even busier than usual workwise. i will see if i can motivate myself, though! (right now, I am making salmon with pesto and noodles.)
― xhuxk, Saturday, 30 July 2005 22:04 (twenty years ago)
damage manual with someone else singing would have been fantastic. connelly couldn't do it justice. ages of urges just screams through speakers though.
― frenchbloke (frenchbloke), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 09:48 (twenty years ago)