Talk ’90s to me The KLF! The real story of the band that burnt one million quid
Nov 3, 2025
Joe Muggs, a journalist and writer specializing in electronic music, joins to share the wild story of The KLF, a band that shockingly burnt a million pounds. He discusses their origins, from Bill Drummond's Liverpool roots to their influence on acid house and rave culture. Joe delves into their infamous hits, including a controversial Doctor Who mashup, and explores their artistic provocation with the K Foundation. The conversation wraps up with insights into their lasting legacy, including the innovative People's Pyramid project.
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Origin Story And Strange Name
- Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty formed a band named the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu after Drummond decided to make a hip-hop record in 1987.
- Their early work leaned heavily on sampling and occult/Illuminatus references which shaped their identity.
Myth, Theatre And Rave Fused
- The KLF fused rave, punk and occult references into a deliberately theatrical pop persona drawn from the Illuminatus! trilogy and Ken Campbell's productions.
- This layered mythology made their music an immersive spectacle beyond standard pop acts.
ABBA Complaint And Album Destruction
- After ABBA complained about unauthorised samples, the band sailed to Sweden and destroyed unsold albums, later tossing some copies into the North Sea and burning the rest in a field.
- Their sample-heavy early album thus met literal destruction as a response to clearance disputes.
