Musically, they resembled their label mates Orange Juice in fusing post-punk guitars with funk and disco rhythms. However, in terms of their lyrics and image Josef K were always far more downbeat and austere than Orange Juice, and were never to have Orange Juice's commercial success. Mood-wise their sound could be said to be more in the realm of Joy Division to Orange Juice's more upbeat leanings
The band split prior to the release of the 1982 single, "The Farewell Single", which included the John Peel session track, "The Missionary". While the Postcard label was cited as a key influence on the C81 and the later C86 indie-pop movements, Josef K's sound is echoed in acts such as Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party.
"Sorry for Laughing" was covered by German synth pop group Propaganda on their 1985 album A Secret Wish and in 2004 by French New Wave/bossa nova band Nouvelle Vague on their self-titled debut.
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