Joy Division were an English post-punk band that consisted of singer Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris. From 1976 to 1980, the band recorded a total of 53 songs, all of which were credited to all four members of the group, with one exception, and almost all were produced by Martin Hannett. Although together for only four years, the band has influenced many artists and the post-punk movement of the late 1970s.[1][2]
Originally known as Warsaw,[3] Joy Division released their debut extended play, An Ideal for Living, in June 1978, which showcased the group's early punk roots.[4] The song "At a Later Date" was released on the compilation Short Circuit: Live at the Electric Circus two weeks later.[5] Their debut studio album, Unknown Pleasures, was released in June 1979.[6] The album's production by Hannett is noted for its unusual methods, such as emphasising space and sound effects such as glass breaking.[6] Its songs are described by AllMusic as "visceral, emotional, and theatrical."[6] The album failed to gain commercial success until the release of their debut single "Transmission". However, Curtis's health began to decline as he suffered from depression and epilepsy.[3] His condition never improved and on 18 May 1980, Curtis hanged himself in his kitchen.[7] The posthumous single, "Love Will Tear Us Apart", was released a month later,[8] while their final album, Closer, followed in July.[9]Closer featured songs that were more choppy and "crumbled up" than its predecessor, and its sound is more "chaotic".[9] Before Curtis' death, the band made an agreement that should any member leave for any reason, the group would disband.[3] Because of this, Joy Division officially ceased later that year.[3] Morris, Sumner and Hook subsequently teamed with Morris' then-girlfriend Gillian Gilbert and formed New Order.[3] Their debut single, "Ceremony" and its B-side, "In a Lonely Place", were two of the final songs written by Joy Division before their break-up.[10]
In 1981, the first compilation album Still was released.[11] The album contained previously unreleased songs and live recordings, including a recording of "Ceremony"[10] and a live cover of the Velvet Underground song "Sister Ray".[11] In 1988, the compilation album Substance saw the release of previous non-album singles "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and "Transmission", among other songs.[12] Its release coincided with the release of New Order's singles compilation, also titled Substance, a year prior.[12][13] In 1994, Joy Division released their planned debut album under the name "Warsaw".[14] The album contained many previously unreleased songs and was recorded in 1977 when the band was still known as Warsaw.[14] Later compilations released by the band include 1995's Permanent,[15] 1997's box setHeart and Soul,[16] 2008's The Best of Joy Division[17] and 2011's Total: From Joy Division to New Order, which featured five Joy Division tracks and thirteen New Order tracks.[18]
^Short Circuit: Live at the Electric Circus (Vinyl track listing). Various. UK: Virgin Records. 1978. VCL 5003.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ abEarcom 2: Contradiction (Vinyl track listing). Various. UK: Fast Product. 1979. Fast 9b.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
