After re-visiting the albums of one of my favourite groups, 'killing Joke' recently, it struck me how, although being a vocalist (and a very talented one), his use of synths was quite a signature sound in some of the albums ('Brighter than a thousand Suns', being most notable).

I know he used an Oberheim OBX, but can definitely hear other synths in some of the songs.

ie, In the song below (Adorations), it sounds like the 'voices' patch on the JX8P.

Does anyone know of what other gear he used? because I have rarely seen it mentioned. He's a very interesting guy, but doesn't mention synths much in the interviews I've watched.

JX8P @ 3:04? [Instrumental version so you can hear it better].

Definitely OBX on earlier recordings but when I saw them live in 2003 the keyboard rig had an Alesis Andromeda in it. I couldn't see what the other keys were. I have seen live footage with an Emax II being used from about 1995 'ish. Whether Jaz himself used these in the studio I am not sure but interested to know.

Listening to that instrumental there is certainly a hint of JX there but couldn't say for sure, likewise some familiar OBX sounding stuff too.

Thank you for the info. I can find very little on line on the subject.

Alas with Geordie and Raven gone, I will now never get the chance to see them live.

Really love Killing Joke.

In this interview, Jaz makes some interesting remarks about the OBX and his distaste for the OBXa... can't say I agree with him about the OBXa, but hey. :D

https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/killing-time/12484

Maybe someone slipped in a bit of JX8P when he wasn't looking...

Thank you for the link. I have just read it:


I guess this bit from the article sums up the synth question:


Jaz's opinions about his keyboards are as firmly held as his other views:

"The Oberheim OBX — not the OBXa. It's got a ring mod and all sorts of things I use, like distortion, which aren't even on the OBXa, which I think is a pathetic instrument. The OBX is the only synthesizer compatible with the sound of Killing Joke. I couldn't even consider another keyboard."

"And it's probably as temperamental as we are," muttered Paul.

"You can hear it on the LP, on Darkness Before Dawn, I use this string sound — it's a cross between a really distorted Mellotron and the nicer side of a Hammond... quite a decadent sound. I've only ever heard this richness of tone on the OBX, and this is the only thing we could ever use with Killing Joke."




I particularly liked this answer to a question:

"Our main effect is alcohol"

That's a bummer, the last time I saw them in 2018, they were still fcking phenomenal and on top of their game.

(Raven hadn't played with them since 1991, Youth has been back where he belongs this entire time)

It's odd, all the times/phases I have listened to, or watched them, Paul Raven had always been present.

Envy you having seen them live. What a great experience that must have been.