Turn to Red

Turn to Red
EP by Killing Joke
Released	October, 1979 (October, 1979)
Genre	Post-punk
Length	13:10
Label	Malicious Damage
Producer	Killing Joke
Killing Joke chronology
Turn to Red (1979) Almost Red (1979)
Singles from Turn to Red
"Nervous System" Released: December 1979 (1979-12)

Turn to Red, is the original version of Killing Joke's debut EP, released in October 1979. It lacked the track "Almost Red", which would appear a month later on the 12" release. The 10" release is a collectable, not only for its music, but also for the 4 scarce "art cards" included with the disc in its clear plastic sleeve.

Production and release

In early 1979, Jaz Coleman and Paul Ferguson left Matt Stager Band to form Killing Joke. They placed an advertisement in the music press which attracted guitarist Kevin "Geordie" Walker and bassist 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."

In late 1979, they began the Malicious Damage record label with graphic artist Mike Coles as a way to press and sell their music. Along with the November EP, Almost Red, Turn to Red came to the attention of legendary DJ John Peel, who was keen to champion the band's urgent new sound of Reggae Dub and Punk. Killing Joke was received with extensive airplay. They quickly progressed this sound into something denser, more aggressive, and more akin to heavy metal, as heard on their first two albums, Killing Joke (1980) and the more abrasive What's THIS For...! (1981).

Track listing

Side A

1. "Turn to Red" (04:10)
2. "Nervous System" (04:10)

Side B

1. "Are You Receiving" (04:50)

Personnel

• Jaz Coleman - vocals, synthesizer
• Kevin "Geordie" Walker - guitar
• Martin "Youth" Glover - bass guitar
• Paul Ferguson - drums