Join us on our first trip to Scotland, Edinburgh to be precise to retrace the history of on elf post-punk's most iconic bands, Josef K.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

The band were only around a few years but their influence has grown enormously in the intervening years, biographer Johnnie Johnston takes us through our first look at C81, Postcard Records, & the Sound of Young Scotland.

We talk about the Scotland of the 1970s & how it differs from today, how the band met & came together, The band's connection with the Worlds End Murders of October 1977, Josef K's key influences including the Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, Iggy & the Stooges & of course the advent of punk.

A key gig in the city of Edinburgh took place at the Playhouse in May of 1977 when The Clash, Subway Sect, The Jam, The Slits & Buzzcocks all appearing on the same bill. The band later open for the Clash in 1980. We discuss both as well as the legendary 'Sound of Young Scotland' showcase gigs in Edinburgh & Glasgow. Josef K also got support slots with Magazine, Bauhaus, The Cure, Teardrop Explodes, Echo & the Bunnymen in the wake of those legendary gigs.

Was Postcard was the right fit for the band? We also mention earlier signings to the label including The Go-Betweens, Aztec Camera & Orange Juice.

Along with that we touch on Josef K's unique sound with 3 rhythm guitars but no lead, the John Peel session the band recorded, their subsequent influence on the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Wedding Present & The Smiths.

And of course, Josef K's curious decision to re-record their debut album, their sudden break up & a little about what happened to the members after & much more.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.