Killing Joke Album Cover
Find out more on the influence for Killing Joke Album
Did you know that a street in our fine city was the main influence for an album sleeve for British post-punk band Killing Joke? 'What's THIS For...!' was the bands second album and helped to propel them into legendary status as one of Britains most influential bands.
Well we briefly spoke to the man behind the artwork, artist and designer Mike Coles to find out how a simple Norwich street helped to influence his work.
What were you doing in Norwich at the time of taking that photo?
Visiting friends, one of whom was at the art college. I think it was her 21st birthday that weekend.
What inspired you to take a photo of that building in particular? Also, why was it that this was selected to be used as the artwork for Killing Joke's second album?
I was having an early morning walk to try and clear my hangover when I passed the street. I was into surrealism at the time and it reminded me of Giorgio de Chirico. Weeks later I was making an artwork from the original photo, playing around with collages and the band saw it and said they wanted to use it. Who was I to argue...
Have you had any other inspiration from Norwich that you have used in other pieces of artwork?
Unfortunately not...
How did you originally get involved with Killing Joke?
We had mutual friends, and I was asked if I wanted to be involved with the whole project of starting a record label, and launching the band. This was a great idea to me, as I was struggling to get design work. If I was running a label, I could do all the record sleeves, posters etc etc, and so Malicious Damage Records and Killing Joke were born.
Have you been back to Norwich since? If so, what draws you back here?
Unfortunately, I've not been back to Norwich since around early 1982.
Finally, any way of convincing the guys to come back to Norwich for another gig??
I shall definitely put a word in when they're planning the next UK gigs.
You can see more of Mike Coles work at http://maliciousdamage.biz/product-category/artwork/
or on his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MikeColesArtist/
