"THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR, EVERYBODY CAN FEEL IT"



"HOLY BOOKS AND HISTORY TEXTS FORGET BECAUSE WE KNOW"
"SOULS ARE RECYCLED IN THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION SHOW"

Updated : 29th December 2007
Well, well, well, a late Christmas pressie or what for myself and Henry at his first Premier League match !?! Salomon Kalou appeared to be offside by a country mile but managed to score at the Matthew Harding end in the 87th minute. It's Chelsea 2 Newcastle United 1.
Updated : 26th December 2007
Struggled with the luurgy for the past few weeks, missed the Valencia game but made it to Stamford Bridge for a Boxing Day clash with the Villa. Crazy game, ridiculous ending and well miffed not to win 4-3 after being 0-2 down. Yet again, a poor decision by a linesman costing Chelsea two points. Meanwhile, it appears that Santa got my list as some lovely presents arrived, including a BBC book 'The Peel Sessions' plus a Ruts t-shirt that will look rather nifty at The Ruts DVD screening event at the Shepherds Bush Empire next month.
Updated : 8th December 2007
It was just like 1980 all over again - okay, maybe not so many spiky tops and mohicans in the crowd any more - last night at the Astoria 2 the UK Subs (original line-up) played a fantastic 75 minute set of old school punk rock classics. All the old hits (bar Party In Paris) and Charlie Harper displaying more energy than frontmen a third of his age !!! Memories of the Fulham Greyhound came flooding back. As did those of the Music Machine as original Discharge members Tezz, Bones and Rainy blasted through 40 minutes worth of old classics. For me it was a shame that Cal is no longer singing with the band but current vocalist Rat gave a spirited and faithful performance in a set that included classic old slabs of Clay Records 7" vinyl such as Realities Of War, Fight Back and Decontrol.

Updated : 25th November 2007
Plenty of activity over the past 5 weeks - a 6-0 thrashing of Man City at the Bridge, then Woody and myself raised a few glasses to dearly departed Raven at The Intrepid Fox the following weekend with Love Like Blood, Communion and Pandemonium over the sound system. More recently Cardiacs and the God Damn Whores at the London Astoria with the Feeding Of The 5,000 event last night (Saturday 24th). A thoroughly worthwhile decision it was to pay homage to music that was played with a vital urgency and passion & didn't the punters just love it. A slightly surreal evening but such an excellent performance it was by Steve Ignorant And Friends.

Updated : 21st October 2007
Terrible news has broken today that Killing Joke's legendary bass player Paul Raven died yesterday morning in Geneva from a massive heart attack, aged 46. He died instantly. Raven was both a mate & an awesome bass player. I am absolutely gutted. Further internet news been posted to say that Paul Fox of The Ruts finally lost his battle with lung cancer early this morning. My thoughts are with both their families and close friends. Two iconic musicians lost on the same weekend. "Absent friends shall live by love" ... Rest In Peace.

Updated : 11th October 2007
I'm very excited about the latest batch of Killing Joke remastered CD's which are due follow in early 2008 - Firedances comes with extra tracks including their fifth John Peel session (Dominator, Frenzy, Wilful Days, Harlequin), Night Time includes the infamous Kid Jensen session from 1984 (All Play Rebel, Blue Feather, Eighties, New Culture) - this provides a missing link for KJ fanatics as 1985's Night Time included in Eighties a track that was debuted in late 1983 on CH4's weekly show "The Tube". Up to now, the only version of All Play Rebel and Blue Feather in circulation were recorded off radio on AM, because at the time BBC Radio 1 was only broadcast in AM until 21:00 hrs, at which point it was also available on FM and therefore with the Kid Jensen show on from 20:00 to 22:00, Eighties and New Culture were recorded on the FM band. Unlike with John Peel, Kid Jensen did tend to talk over intros and fades, so the exciting prospect of getting hold of decent versions of these rare tracks after some 23 odd years cannot be understated. Though the Brighter Than A Thousand Suns (1986) remaster only has 3 extra tracks from the original CD release, these are the restored mixes which we all hope are rougher and more reflective of the bands live sound (I must have another listen to the version of Rubicon on the For Beginners CD to verify this). Again, Outside The Gate (1988) has a few alternate versions of songs plus the previously unreleased May Day. By putting the 1983 and 1984 BBC sessions on these remasters, I suspect Killing Joke may now bring out a 17 track BBC Radio Sessions 1979-1981 which would include the first 4 John Peel sessions (1979 - Pssyche, Wardance, Nuclear Boy, Malicious Boogie : 1980 - Complications, Change, Tomorrow's World : 1981#1 Butcher, Tension, The Fall Of Because : 1981#2 We Have Joy, The Hum, Chop Chop, Empire Song) plus the sole Richard Skinner session (1981 - Unspeakable, Exit, Tension). Bring it on chaps.

Updated : 10th October 2007
Downloaded the latest Radiohead album "inrainbows" today for a mere 68p (23p plus a 45p card charge). I really like 'Jigsaw Falling Into Place" which sums up my life at the current time.

Updated : 25th September 2007
More details about a propsed double disc Ruts DVD can be found at the Peafish Myspace web page. Disk 1 will feature the live footage of the charity benefit gig held for Paul Fox on 16th July 2007 at the Carling Academy Islington. Disk 2 will feature the first definitive history of the Ruts told through interviews with all of the above plus many, many more. There will also be a free booklet written by Goldblade's John Robb and featuring an exclusive interview by John King with Henry Rollins plus exclusive pictures from the gig and much, much more. Sounds like a fitting tribute to a memorable night for Foxy, Segs, Ruffy & the assembled hordes.

Updated : 24th September 2007
After an inevitable reverse for shell-shocked Chelsea FC at Old Trafford, I was thoroughly glad that I'd been invited to the Cambridge Junction to see Gallows. I very much enjoyed a young spirited onslaught of punk rock from Hertfordshire's finest with a faithful cover of Staring At The Rude Boys to boot - a song they will also be performing on CH4's Transmission show on 28/09/2007.

Updated : 21st September 2007
JOSE MOURINHO - SIMPLY THE BEST

Updated : 20th September 2007
Woken by a 6am text from Rodney - a truly stupid thing has happened - in typical brutal fashion, Chelsea FC have dispensed with the services of Jose Mourinho. Roman, what have you done ?!?!? In football terms, sheer utter madness. Goodbye to the golden era.

Updated : 23rd August 2007
Our desktop PC has crashed - a corrupt hard disk - what a personal disaster !!!

Updated : 17th July 2007
Last night The Ruts tore the house down with a humble though focussed Rollins relishing his part in the proceedings - Something That I Said, Staring At The Rude Boys, Babylon's Burning, West One (Shine On Me), SUS, Jah War, Society, In A Rut ... from what I recall ... Paul Fox looked overwhelmed and also rather frail ... Rollins signed off with "I hope we ALL see you again" ... with bows from Ruffy, Segs and Foxy ... the expectant cries of "more, more, more" were not realised as Robb explained that Paul was exhausted - he really had put his all into it - we quietly dispersed off into the night ... I'd expect details of the DVD release to appear here : http://www.myspace.com/peafish

Updated : 8th July 2007
It was an excellent day up at Welwyn Garden City FC, where the Arsenal Veterans/Celebs played Chelsea Old Boys FC featuring former players such as Kerry Dixon, Paul Canoville, Keith Dublin, Gareth Hall, Ian Britton, Garry Stanley, Steve Finnieston, Clive Walker and Peter Bonetti with the boys in blue ran out worthy 3-1 winners. This charity match and fun day started from mid-day in perfect sunny weather and also included a bouncy castle, face painting and a BBQ - bit like a school fete with a football match !

Updated : 28th June 2007
EXTREMITIES !!! This monster of a Killing Joke album, originally released back in 1990, is finally to be re-issued and completely re-mastered after being unavailable for many years on any format. Special Limited edition version features:
1) 40 page booklet with interview with Jaz Coleman, rare photos, sleeve notes, lyrics.
2) Clam box with CD packaged in inner digi pack.
3) Disc two - Dual Disc featuring 5 extra tracks plus DVD of “Money Is Not Our God” promo clip.
4) Limited to 3000 copies worldwide.
CANDLE144CDSE is due to be released by Candlelight on 29th October 2007.



Updated : 23rd June 2007
A few days ago I heard the very sad news that Paul Fox (former guitarist of the Ruts) has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Foxy had been touring recently with Foxy's Ruts though prior to that I heard him playing on epic singles by the Chelsea Punk Rock All Stars (1997) and The Shed Enders (2000) both recorded in the run up to victorious Chelsea FC appearances at the old Wembley Stadium. The myspace page for the the Crown & Treaty pub in Uxbridge has now advertised that 2 benefit gigs will take place in July 2007, one at the pub and a larger gathering at the Islington Academy, featuring the remaining members of the Ruts, Henry Rollins, Tom Robinson, John Otway, UK Subs, Splodgenessabounds and many, many more. Tickets go on sale soon via Ticket Web and will cost only £10 - a very small price for a bit of musical history and the chance to help both Paul and his family and Cancer Research UK.

Updated : 17th June 2007
It's taken the best part of Sunday morning to recover from the Muse gig at Wembley Stadium. Quite probably my first "stadium gig" after many years of consciously avoiding them at all costs (that's stadium gigs, not Muse !!!) and quite a delight to be allowed to take beer back to your seats, after the restrictions us long suffering football fans have to endure. Glad we popped in early enough to catch Robrigo y Gabriela who were superb, unlike the other two Saturday support acts. We also managed to see the impressive Bobby Moore tribute that I managed to miss at the May's FA Cup Final though my pre-match snap of the Wembley scoreboard was on the ball.

Updated : 5th June 2007
Today has seen a relaunch of the official Killing Joke website. Detailed on the Latest News page is an expanded CD release for 1990's Extremities Dirt And Various Repressed Emotions album on 29th October 2007, plus news of a Geordie solo album. The website design is splendid and a vast improvement on a previous official website created back in 2003. At this point, it is worth paying homage to all those who have spent endless time and effort over the years keeping the embers burning, more especially Jester (RIP), Ana, Andreas, Michael J Salo, Rangecroft, Snet, Tangento, Martin Dupras and plenty of others ... cheers to everyone. My own homepage is a bit of a Jeckyll and Hyde affair, primarily a personal website with a large dash of Killing Joke - much of my own archive press cuttings were used on the long demised www.the-last-laugh.com site (circa 2001) and probably now sit in a dusty loft somewhere ooop in the norf !

Updated : 11th May 2007
Very sad news has arrived, courtesy of < lonestyle@aol.com > on The Gathering :

Dear Gatherers, I am very sad to inform you the news I have just received from Jester's wife Elana that Jester and his daughter Jeanie died in a car accident yesterday. It seems that Joe may of had a seizure and had a head on collision with an on coming car. Details are sketchy at the moment for she just found out 4 hours ago from Joe's family. We only talked for a few minutes for she was almost at Joe's Mom's house. Please have them in your prays and thoughts at this troubling and sad time. I am total shock! I have lost a brother that I thought would have beat this thing called Cancer. And he was getting better too. It is sad that it had to happen in this terrible way. I will inform you all when I have more details of funeral arrangements and whatever else. Take care. ~ Lonely Boy

A few years ago Joe Mojica gave me his support & encouragement when I was having my own trials and tribulations - somehow during the evening I didn't manage to get to speak to him at the Camden Barfly gig which I do regret - this really is utterly tragic. Antoni

* http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2007/05/11/father_and_daughter_killed_in.html *

Updated : 2nd May 2007
Oh dear, on the TV again, eh !!! Just ten minutes from an ominous penalty shootout at Anfield and the ITV cameras clock Fuzz and myself really feeling the TENSION. Oh well, so there was no trip back to Athens for me but maybe that's £500+ saved and now plenty of time to wash my AC Milan scarf (bought at the San Siro in 1999) in time for UEFA CL Final. Bring on Wembley instead.

Updated : 24th April 2007
Despite managing to see The Damned play a low key gig in a Welwyn Garden City pub last week, I've been slacking quite a bit recently but finally I've got my hands on the latest Killing Joke CD releases from Candlelight Records. The latest releases are Bootleg Vinyl Archive Volume 1 and 2 - triple CD sets combining a number of well known bootleg releases such as Live In London, Live At The Venue, Live At Odeon, The Bum's Rush, The Act Is Done, Live At Joker Place plus an Astoria gig from 1994 and the legendary 1988 gig at the Porchester Hall in London. This is just the ticket and not before time. CANDLE180CD and CANDLE181CD are well put together releases and benefit greatly from both Colesy's artwork input and the archives and in depth knowledge of Joker Jon.

Updated : 24th March 2007
Brrrrr, it's cold out there - but nothing was going to spoil our day at the first ever football match at the new Wembley Stadium.
And quite a match it was too - England U21 vs Italy U21 and a 3-3 draw.

Updated : 26th February 2007
Blimey, I am knackered. A very long 'driving' day trip to Cardiff for the Carling Cup Final 2007. Deadly Didier Drogba duly delivered (Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2) and that made Fuzz and Rodney and myself very happy indeed.

Updated : 16th February 2007
In a very welcome development for all Killing Joke fanatics, Candlelight Records are to release a 2CD set "Inside Extremities, Mixes, Rehearsals and Live" - CANDLE177CD - a great era for the Joke revisited & hopefully a sign of things to come.

Updated : 10th February 2007
Check out the UK Decay website for details on how to get hold of "Death, So Fatal", the first ever offical CD release from the legendary Luton emsemble. Rather than being an expanded "For Madmen Only" album, this appears to be a "limited to 100 copies" compilation of studio and live tracks including several tracks from the superb John Peel sessions.

Updated : 6th January 2007
FA Cup 3rd Round - Chelsea FC 6 Macclesfield Town 1 - not exactly a glamour tie for young Henry Roman to start with at Stamford Bridge but a first match at under 18 months with a 41,000+ crowd and SIX Chelsea goals !!!

ARCHIVED NEWS : 2006 : 2005 : 2004 : 2003 : 2002

"IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE GAME, THEN YOU'RE STILL PART OF IT"



"I WONDER WHO CHOSE THE COLOUR SCHEME, IT'S VERY NICE"

Better known as a long time fanatical follower of both Killing Joke (the highly influencial & legendary post-punk experimental rock band) and Chelsea Football Club (thanks Fuzz), I have now become somewhat infamous for being a victim of rough justice. Thankfully, with this bitter experience behind me, now I can just get on with my life and enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
*** Honour The Fire ***

"LOOK AT THE FACES, IT'S DARK OUTSIDE"
"YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN, STAY INDIFFERENT"

*** Please feel free to contact me via e-mail ***

"WHOSE TRUTH IS YOUR TRUTH ?"