Joy Division rose out of the England punk scene (that exploded and then imploded about as quickly) in 1977. Joy Division were more interested in setting mood and atmosphere rather than just playing fast music and yelling. The members of Joy Division were: Ian Curtis: vocals, Bernard Sumner: guitar, Peter Hook: bassist and Stephen Morris: Drums. Originally named Warsaw the band changed their name to Joy Division after realizing the similiarity of their name to another band (Warsaw Pakt). Joy Division's trademark was the often deadpan (yet still emotional) sounding vocals of Ian Curtis and his frentic performance on stage which was hard to tell if it was self induced or brought upon by his frequent seizures.
The first LP released by Joy Division was Unknown Pleasures in 1979. It garnered great reviews and sold well. Later in this year Joy Division released the song Transmission, but it never appeared on a actual album nor did the subsequent song Love will Tear us Apart a year later. Joy Division cleary defied typical standards bands followed.
Ian was becoming increasingly unhealthy as the years passed from when the band had formed, but Joy Division's second LP (and last) was released in 1980. It recieved more praise and a american tour was being planned. But On May 18th 1980, two days before the tour, Ian Curtis commited suicide. It was a self induced hanging. Possible reasons for his suicide ranged from his depression, seizures or the drugs he used to control them or his desire to die young like his idols.
The band quickly split up after this...but soon re-formed as New Order and went in a more electronic experimental direction and used music as a way to cope with the loss of their previous vocalist and friend. Bernard Sumner took over vocal duties for the new band.
Joy Division's legecy is still honored to this day by the members of the band. In 1998 Heart & Soul was released. A 4cd, 81 track boxset containing both albums, the singles, rarities, demos etc. In 1999 and 2001 Preston and Les Bains Douche were released. They finally showed just how frentic a Joy Division show could be (Preston) but yet just how beautiful it could as well (Les Bains Douche). New Order even put out another generally solid album in 2001. Joy Division's impact on the music industry is hard to put into mere words, but is forever lasting.
Bio written by: LordCyrus |
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