As a teenager growing up in the '90s, I was never attracted to the mainstream sounds of grunge or whatever else was playing on the radio at the time. I didn't understand why everyone had to be screaming to get their point across. Instead, I latched onto bands from earlier years. Obviously, The Cure was an important band as were Siouxsie and the Banshees, Depeche Mode and New Order. Internet was just getting started during those days so finding music was not as simple as a quick download and to find the music I wanted to listen to required a little digging and research. I was probably about 14 when I had learned that New Order was first an entirely different band named Joy Division.
Joy Division, a band synonymous with the post-punk movement in music, credited as pioneers in the darker sound that came with it thanks to their driving bass lines, haunting melodies and singer Ian Curtis' deep, baritone voice. The first Joy Division song I remember fully embracing was actually a cover of "Dead Souls" by Nine Inch Nails from The Crow movie soundtrack. From there, Joy Division became one of those bands that were more than a band to me. I was going through a pretty rough time during my teenage years with my parents' divorce, that feeling of not fitting in that most teens feel and just the overwhelming urge to escape and find my own place in the world. Their music was like an old friend that understood everything I was feeling. Joy Division released two albums in their short career. Prior to their U.S. tour, Curtis took his own life and the band eventually continued on as New Order.
This Friday, a few friends and I will be making a trek to Dallas to see bassist Peter Hook and his band The Light as they perform those Joy Division albums Closer and Unknown Pleasures in their entirety along with a special set of New Order tracks. As I have gotten older, those songs have taken on a whole new meaning to me as I am able to relate more to the words because of my own life experiences. Friday night will definitely be a special night for the young teenage girl that still lingers inside me who would spend hours in her room listening to these songs over and over. Below are a few of my favorite tracks.
"Transmission" was released in 1979 as the band's first single and has since been covered by Bauhaus/Peter Murphy, Hot Chip, and the cast of the Ian Curtis biographical film Control.
"She's Lost Control" first appeared on Unknown Pleasures before it was released again as a more electronic version in 1980. This song features a bass sound where Peter Hook played higher up on the neck.
One of the earliest songs recorded by Joy Division, and it is also said to be the last song performed at their May 2, 1980 show.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is probably the most popular or at least most recognizable Joy Division song. The lyrics not only represent Curtis' deteriorating marriage to his wife Deborah, but also his state of mind at the time. It is still my favorite of all their songs, followed very closely by the next one.
I'm not sure words would describe the love I have for this song. It was one of the last songs that Ian Curtis penned. When New Order formed, they re-released the song and that version has gained more popularity over the years. Curtis' words, "Heaven knows it's got to be this time" will probably just always clutch a special place in my heart. RIP Ian.
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