This Edinburgh, Scotland-based band formed in the ashes of punk as TV Art and was influenced by New York bands such as Television, Talking Heads and the Velvet Underground. The original trio of Paul Haig (b. 1959, Edinburgh, Scotland; vocals), Malcolm Ross (guitar) and Ron Torrance (drums) were joined briefly by Gary McCormack (later with the Exploited), before a more permanent bass player was found in David Weddell. After a name change inspired by Franz Kafka's 1925 novel The Trial, Josef K recorded a 10-track demo before committing "Chance Meeting" to release on Steven Daly's Absolute label, in late 1979. Daly, who was also the drummer for Orange Juice, was the co-founder of Postcard Records, and thus signed Josef K to the newly formed label. "Radio Drill Time" was more frantic than their debut, dominated by hectic, awkward chords and Haig's thin, nasal voice.
After numerous support slots, 1980 ended with the more low-key, melodic sound of "It's Kinda Funny". The single fared well and Josef K were all set to release their debut, Sorry For Laughing, during the early months of 1981. However, unhappy with its production, the band scrapped it at the test pressing stage and moved to a Belgian studio, in conjunction with the Les Disques Du Crépescule label. The 1981 session yielded a re-recorded title track (also the strongest single), which joined tracks from the unreleased album as a session for BBC radio disc jockey John Peel, while the band returned to Belgium to work on their album. Back at Postcard, they drafted in Malcolm's brother Alistair to play trumpet on a new version of "Chance Meeting', issued just two months later, coinciding with a full session for Peel. The Only Fun In Town emerged in July to a mixed reception. Its frantic, trebly live sound appeared hurried, and betrayed the fact that it had been recorded in just six days. Josef K announced their demise soon afterwards, prompted by Malcolm Ross" invitation to join Orange Juice. Les Disques Du Crépescule issued Josef K's farewell single, "The Missionary", in 1982, while other tracks surfaced on various compilations.
After Ross had joined Orange Juice, Haig worked with Rhythm Of Life before embarking on a solo career. In the late 80s, Scottish label Supreme International Editions followed the excellent "Heaven Sent" with Young And Stupid, a collection of Peel session material and tracks from the unreleased Sorry For Laughing. Then, in 1990, the entire recorded history of Josef K (plus tracks from their original demo) was compiled onto two definitive CDs by LTM Recordings.
