Turn to Red

Turn to Red is an EP and the debut release by English post-punk band Killing Joke. It was released as a 7-inch EP on 26 October 1979 by Malicious Damage and re-released as a 12-inch EP on 14 December by Island Records (sometimes known as Almost Red).

Turn to Red (7-inch)
EP by Killing Joke
Released	26 October 1979
Recorded	August 1979
Studio	Gooseberry Sound (London)
Genre	Post-punk dance-punk
Length	13:10
Label	Malicious Damage
Producer	Killing Joke
Killing Joke chronology
Turn to Red (7-inch) (1979) Killing Joke (1980)
Singles from Turn to Red
"Nervous System" Released: December 1979

Turn To Red (12-inch)
EP by Killing Joke
Released	14 December 1979
Genre	Post-punk
Length	16:58
Label	Island
Killing Joke chronology
Turn To Red (12-inch) (1979) Killing Joke (1980)

History

In 1978, Jaz Coleman and Paul Ferguson left Mat Stagger Band to form Killing Joke. They placed an advertisement in the music press which attracted guitarist Kevin "Geordie" Walker and bass guitarist Martin "Youth" Glover. According to Coleman, their manifesto was to "define the exquisite beauty of the atomic age in terms of style, sound and form."[1]

In late 1979, they began the Malicious Damage record label with graphic artist Mike Coles as a way to press and sell their music.[2]

An advance of the EP was sent to legendary DJ John Peel, who was keen to champion the band's urgent new sound, and the release received extensive airplay. The band was immediately invited to record a John Peel Session for the BBC on 17 October 1979, which was aired on 29 October.

Release

On 26 October 1979,[3] the EP was officially released in 10" format by Malicious Damage. Melody Maker made it Single of the Week on 10 November 1979.[4] A supportive namecheck by John Lydon in NME[5] secured more interest in the new band.

On 14 December 1979,[6] it was re-released in 7" and 12" format by Island Records, now with "Almost Red" added, a dub remix of the title track.

The Turn to Red release became a collectable for the four scarce "art cards" that were included with the disc in its clear plastic sleeve. The track "Turn to Red" featured a locked groove, repeating the word 'red' infinitely. The building featured on the sleeve is Centre Point Tower in New Oxford Street, London.

Killing Joke quickly developed this sound into something denser, more aggressive and more akin to heavy metal with their debut studio album, Killing Joke.[1]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Killing Joke (Jaz Coleman, Kevin "Geordie" Walker, Martin "Youth" Glover, Paul Ferguson).

Original 7" Release

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Turn to Red"	4:10
2.	"Nervous System"	4:10

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Are You Receiving"	4:50

12" Release

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Almost Red"	3:48
2.	"Nervous System"	4:10

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Are You Receiving"	4:50
2.	"Turn to Red"	4:10

Personnel

Killing Joke

• Jaz Coleman – production
• Kevin "Geordie" Walker – production
• Martin "Youth" Glover – production
• Paul Ferguson – production

Technical

• Mark Lusardi – engineering
• Jonz – mastering
• Mike Coles – sleeve graphic design

References

1. Hightower, Laura; DeRemer, Leigh Ann (2001). "Killing Joke". Contemporary Musicians. Profiles of the People in Music / Volume 30. Detroit, Michigan, United States: Gale Research. ISBN 0-7876-4641-5.
2. "The Label". maliciousdamage.biz. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
3. Adverts in New Musical Express Saturday, 27 October 1979 (pages 4, 28, 50 and 73)
4. Bohn, Chris (10 November 1979). "Singles Reviewed by Chris Bohn". Melody Maker: 30.
5. Goldman, Vivien (8 December 1979). "The Meaning Behind the Moaning". New Musical Express.
6. Adverts in New Musical Express Saturday, 15 December 1979 (page 38) and Melody Maker (page 22)

External links

• Turn to Red at Discogs (list of releases)