Control: The Legacy of Joy Division

A few months ago, while browsing through feature films at the local library, I came across
one entitled Control.
Initially, the movie seems like a biopic about Joy Division, but quickly establishes itself as a portrayal of Ian Curtis, the band's tragic lead singer.

While reading the synopsis, a feeling of dread started to develop.
At this point in the game, I only knew so much about the band.
I will list that prior knowledge below...

The Things I Knew About Joy Division roughly 3 months ago:

-They existed sometime in the late 70s/early 80s range, but nothing is certain
-The 4 or 5 songs I have heard, I really really love
-I like the way they dress...Very business casual.
-The lead singer has a creepy-sexy voice
-I have a poster of them on the wall that I like to look at
-Their music complements the film Donnie Darko perfectly
-The lead singer killed himself

The last point brings me to a state of hesitation. I had the unfortunate experience of discovering suicide
first hand, and it's not something I would typically volunteer to watch onscreen, as most filmmakers have no idea how to handle the material tastefully (if a tasteful depiction of suicide even exists).
Knowing the film's conclusion before it even started, a conflict arose between wanting to know more about
the band, and not setting myself up to view disturbing content. Curiosity won the battle as usual,
and thus Control was added to my overflowing stack of CDs and brought home.



For nearly 12 weeks, Control sat next to the bed waiting to be watched. I couldn't do it.
Surprisingly, I was never in the mood to witness someone's life disintegrate.
I renewed the movie four times and incrued several dollars in late fees.
(Still cheaper than Blockbuster though! Plus, it helps out the library.)
Finally, I just returned it.
A week later, still sitting on the library shelf...still waiting...
I grabbed the DVD and forced myself to sit and watch for 2 hours, which is well beyond my usual
90-minute-time-limit for films.


As for the movie, I loved it. Completely. There are thoughts about watching it again.

Although this post will get written in a day or two, the process has taken months.
Coming up with a topic is easy, but discovering what the post is about, at its core, can take forever.
Writer's block, anxiety, lost sleep, procrastination...these things fuel any decent piece of writing,
and I would not exchange them for anything......not even for a bag of tater tots...
which would hit the spot about now.


Quick note: the post is much longer than usual.....clocking in at around 2 hours of quality music.

So, take your time, no need to rush, revisit if necessary, the post won't be deleted any time soon!
It is a lot to absorb in one sitting.


A plethora of good music and information can be found on the next page.
You wouldn't want to miss it.


I hope you enjoy reading about one of the greatest bands in existence.





In 1977, soon after the Sex Pistol's first gig in Manchester, a new energy was forming in the wake of
punk music, and the band Stiff Kittens desperately needed a good lead singer.
Luckily, they found Ian Curtis by placing an ad in a local Manchester record store.


Without such 'divine intervention' as this, Stiff Kittens would very likely go on to become just another
(shit) band lost and forgotten in the punk explosion. In one alternate form of reality,
the group never placed an ad, and all members later went into finance instead of changing the entire trajectory of music. With the addition of Curtis, though, the band evolved into something else, calling themselves Warsaw.
This was inspired by David Bowie's brooding and desolate "Warszawa", a mostly instrumental track found on his album Low.

David Bowie "Warszawa"

Despite my love for Bowie, a name like that is hard to market, and eventually...thankfully...
the similarly named punk group Warsaw Pakt forced them to become Joy Division.
So thanks for doing your part, Warsaw Pakt! (thumbs up).
I definitely prefer the version of reality where Joy Division exists.


The name Joy Division comes from a slang term common during WWII, used in reference to concentration camp units that held female inmates who were forced into prostitution by Nazi soldiers. Unfortunately, the band gained a few Neo-Nazi followers as a result. This was far from their intent though, as they probably meant for the name to be taken as more ironic than literal. Just to be clear, Joy Division was not an organizing force for radical fascism.
They are better viewed as creative, nerdy, introspective, passionate musicians.

I mean, the lead singer dances like a fly...and makes it look cool..


And speaking of his fly dance...
Lets get to the first video!


Joy Division "Transmission" (TV performance-September 15th, 1979)

Something Else was a music-oriented show hosted by TV personality Tony Wilson, who featured sounds from The Clash, the Buzzcocks, Siouxie and the Banshees, and so on. Basically, the program gave bands a space to gain exposure, which seemed to pay off pretty well for most of them. Because it aired
on a BBC2 station, this program is fundamentally better than any MTV crap Americans come up with. (Sorry, America!)

In other news...

Both Control and 24 Hour Party People, two films that focus heavily on Joy Division, attempt to illustrate how the band snagged a spot on TV.
Ian Curtis, pissed they haven't been put on yet, approaches Tony Wilson in a bar, calls him a "cock" or something similar, and they end up with the very next gig. Whether or not this is accurate, it is definitely an interesting story, and one that may have lead to an important piece of music history.

The person reading at the beginning/end of the video is the poet and entertainer, John Cooper Clarke.

 -Members-

Ian Curtis-vocals
Peter Hook-bass
Bernard Sumner-guitar
Stephen Morris-drums


Joy Division "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (official video)

Ian Curtis had a lot of love to give. Isolated, brooding individuals often need the most;
they simply require it to survive.
Of those that loved him were: his wife Debbie, their child, and his other love, Annik Honore. 
Debbie had 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' inscribed on Ian's gravestone.

The lyrics seem to illuminate the troubled love triangle Ian found himself in, although they could be interpreted in various ways.


Verse 1:

When routine bites hard
And ambitions are low
And resentment rides high
But emotions won't grow
And we're changing our ways, taking different roads

Chorus:

Then love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear us apart again

Official Control Trailer (2007)


So.

Here we are.

This is the movie that inspired the post.


Dutch filmmaker Anton Corbijn directed Control, a black and white film released in 2007 that highlights
the brief life and death of Ian Curtis. Depicting the content in black and white was a conscious decision, a fact the director confirms in the 'making of'. The band cast themselves into black and white in terms of identity. Visually, both their debut album Unknown Pleasures and sophomore album Closer contain simple black and white on the cover.
In general, when you think of Joy Division, you don't think in color, so naturally, the film had to represent the same absence. To make it look as beautiful as it does without having a grainy element, they shot with high quality color film and switched it to black and white later. 

The director explicitly states that this isn't a Joy Division biopic, although many critics and viewers
have designated it as such. Control is about Ian Curtis, an individual that Corbijn found fascinating;
a person who just happened to have an amazing band.
Although the other members are depicted favorably, they almost seem like an afterthought for what he wants to get across.

According to bassist Peter Hook, Control is a hell of a lot more accurate than 24 Hour Party People.
I decided to watch 24 Hour Party People the other night, and accuracy aside,
Control is a better film. Period. 25% of the movie may be about Joy Division, but the other 3/4ths is about Tony Wilson and Happy Mondays...and....it is boring as fuck. I fast forwarded.

One possible explanation for this increased accuracy could be Anton's past with the band. He did a
photo shoot with them at one point, and has remained a passionate fan throughout the years.

Here is one famous shot:

Although more realistic, the film is still an interpretation, and shouldn't be read as a documentary.

All creative works have to bend the truth to tell a story.

The best aspects of the film lie in the performances, both in terms of acting and music.
Sam Riley does a perfectly haunting job playing Curtis. He really knows how to brood.
I think it's the way he makes smoking cigarettes seem beautiful...

Musically, instead of having already produced Joy Division tracks pumping through the speakers,
which forces the actors to lip-synch and pretend to play the drums, they actually learned to play their instruments live. Sam Riley was already the lead singer of a band in real life,
and figured he could 'do the voice' of Curtis.
Playing together as a group, making mistakes, learning, and finally nailing a song all contributed to a band-like camaraderie that the actors wouldn't have developed otherwise. This gave them the opportunity to actually interact with the music and pass it off as more authentic.

I really love the way it turned out.

Official Control Website

Joy Division "She's Lost Control" (performance from the film Control)

Ian Curtis worked at a job centre for awhile and met a girl with epilepsy. In the film, he witnesses
her have a seizure and fall to the floor convulsing. He wonders if this is where his epileptic condition began.
Right before this performance, he finds out she has died from an epileptic fit,
and responds accordingly by writing a song...

Joy Division "Candidate" (from film)

After this gig, the band is approached by Annik Honore, a Belgian "journalist" who wants to interview
them. It becomes pretty obvious she's just interested in meeting Ian though. Clever girl.

   

Joy Division "Dead Souls" (also from Control)

Although we see foreshadowing of his condition during other performances, this is the first time it
occurs dramatically within the film. The typical jerky mannerisms that characterize his 'fly dance'
are exaggerated here, making it difficult to distinguish between a seizure and stage presence, blurring the division between performance and severe lack of control. Audience members were confused, concerned, and entertained, uncertain if it was a real situation or part of the show.

The End...?

Joy Division began gaining notoriety and touring throughout Europe.
As they toured, Ian's fits worsened, and several gigs were canceled due to his poor health.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" was released as a single in April 1980.
In May, the band got 2 weeks rest before embarking on their first U.S. tour.
Sunday morning, two days before taking off, 23 year old Ian Curtis was found dead hanging in his kitchen.
The story goes: he watched a very depressing Werner Herzog film, had a horrible seizure, and decided to kill himself (although no one can know exactly what happened).

As for why he did it, only Ian knows, though he probably felt completely helpless in life.
His epilepsy meds had dangerous side effects and were often combined with loads of alcohol.
The prescribed combinations he was put on were highly experimental at the time.
Also, he probably envisioned his fits getting consistently worse as the years went on.

Romantically, Ian was torn between loving two women, both of them wanting him to make a choice,
one which couldn't be made.
The stress of touring and traveling abroad, only to have a fit in front of bigger audiences, probably
didn't help engender a positive outlook either.

Control actually handled the suicide....creatively, which I can't believe I'm saying.
A tasteful depiction does exist!
They filmed in Ian's real Maccelsfield home, in his actual kitchen, and avoided going for the visually
graphic and obvious.
It is less about what we see, and more about what we hear, especially since we experience the suicide
again as Debbie discovers it, screaming and desperately searching the streets for someone to help.


Joy Division was a band for less than 3 years, yet their small body of work heavily impacts music to this day.
I can't imagine what could have been accomplished had Ian stuck around.

I really wish he would have.

RIP Ian Curtis: 15 July 1956-18 May 1980

You are missed.

 Legacy


Joy Division bridged the gap between punk music and the rise of goth, existing in some sort of post-punk transitory state. They brought necessary sophistication and restraint to punk music. Where punk evoked rage and energy, Joy Division hypnotized listeners with intense mood and expression. Their music is reminiscent of gloomy, grey skies, if only the clouds wore trenchcoats and smoked cigarettes frequently, which in the UK, it turns out they do.

Ian's pain and isolation can be experienced through tortured lyrics and dark bass lines. Each song has
a powerful cathartic effect on the listener, allowing them to embrace an inner existential anxiety.
Brooding, cold, fractured, raw, mysterious, sublime, emotionally resonant, and alienated are a few
appropriate adjectives to describe their sound, and this characteristic sound lead to goth, new wave, and melancholic indie rock, eventually leading to a current trend in post-punk revivalism.


Watching 24 Hour Party People did provide one benefit.

It is this quote:

"No band survives the death of its lead singer."

Before Ian's death, they agreed if any member left, Joy Division would cease
to exist. In January 1981, less than a year after their lead singer killed himself, the 3 remaining
members became New Order, with guitarist Bernard Sumner taking over vocals.

New Order "Ceremony" (1981)

This track was released as New Order's debut single, though it was composed as Joy Division. With lyrics
written by Ian, it was one of the band's last compositions. New Order re-recorded the track, although
3 recordings from Joy Division exist. However, due to barely audible vocals, the rehearsal tape
was put through a graphic equalizer, boosting and cutting certain frequencies so they could
decipher the lyrics.

As New Order progressed throughout the 1980s, they found it difficult to outgrow
their past as Joy Division. Singles such as "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and "Atmosphere" were high
on the charts, many songs and albums were reissued, a tribute album entitled A Means to an End was released, and widow Deborah Curtis wrote a biography about Ian, called Touching From a Distance.

Although their style retained dark elements, it was inherently lighter and more playful than Joy Division. Without Curtis there seemed to be little brooding.

You can hear this new identity in two of their well-known singles...
"Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle"


New Order "Blue Monday"

New Order "Bizarre Love Triangle"

 Although I won't spend much time on The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen today, as they
are reserved for a future post, they were important contemporaries/followers of Joy Division and deserve to be mentioned. The influence on bass progression and vocals is particularly noticeable.

The Cure "Lovesong"

Echo and the Bunnymen "The Killing Moon"

Nine Inch Nails "Dead Souls"


I originally associated this song with Nine Inch Nails, so I had no idea it was Joy Division until I watched Control. The song was featured in The Crow......as you can see from the video...

Here is a list of Joy Division tribute bands and song covers (of which there are many):
List of Joy Division Covers and Tribute Bands

Post-Punk Revival--Joy Division in the 21st Century:


I like to think of these bands as what Joy Division could have become.
I am so glad post punk is still being revived, although by tomorrow it will have a different name (insert
some genres). Regardless of what they are called, these bands evoke the essence of Joy Division, and the soul of Ian Curtis. I like to pretend that when he died, he planted little pieces of his creativity in the minds of these future artists, and they grew up determined to fulfill that legacy.

We Are Scientists "Ghouls"


They started in California as a trio, but didn't develop their sound more fully until moving to Brooklyn. Despite a modest following in the states, their sound deeply resonated in the UK, leading their debut album With Love and Squalor to become a gold-selling hit. The second album was executed as a duo, debuting at number 11 on the 2008 UK album charts, a fact that demonstrates their immense popularity overseas.
In general, I would describe them as math-rock, though they are definitely crucial to the post-punk revival.


I love this video.

The Bravery "Tyrant"

The Bravery. Yep.

The Organ "Brother"


This group appeared on an episode of the L Word (Season 2), and the girl's voice alone demands inclusion to this post. They are Canadian, which also helps.

Moving Units:

Both tracks by Moving Units featured below can be found on their 2004 album Dangerous Dreams.

Since I am getting lazy, and I just want to publish this post already, I will include some lyrics to flesh out these next two songs, although I really do think the subject matter is very reminiscent of something Ian would write. Very cerebral and mysterious.

Moving Units "Scars"

Lyrics:

Scarred in the heart
Slashed in the vein
Nothing is changing
Nothing's the same
Lost in the head
Batteries dead
Crawling inside a stranger instead while you're

Waiting for somebody else (Waiting)
Somebody else (We're waiting)
Somebody else (For something / For someone / For something)
Whatever helps
While you're waiting for somebody else (Waiting)
Whatever helps (We're waiting)
Somebody else (For something / For someone / For something)
Cover the welts
Between here and tomorrow

Moving Units "Anyone"

Verse 1:

Somehow we survive, we don't even try,
We don't like who we are, but we pretend anyway
Because we're human and such, we long for someone to touch
A little death to escape, a shallow grave with a face

(chorus)

Verse 2:

Somehow we collide, we don't even know why
We can't quite comprehend, what makes us crawl in our skin
Because we're empty inside, we get no thrilled from this life
Consumed by pillars of fire, convicted by our desire

The Editors "All Sparks"

This group was originally dubbed 'Snowfield'.
I think The Editors sounds more fitting.
They formed sometime around early 2003 in Birmingham, England, and were one of the leaders in reviving the post-punk scene. The lead singer's baritone voice has an uncanny resemblance to that of Curtis.

Snake Rattle Rattle Snake:

If Joy Division were fronted by a woman, it might resemble this band.
I mean that as the highest compliment possible.

I featured SRRS briefly in the post, Denver Music: Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, ManCub, Iuengliss,
which you should check out as well.

They have a dark energy and raw power unlike anything I have ever heard.
Put simply: I love this group.

"Break the Same" and "Like a Moth" are both very entertaining and somewhat creepy videos,
while "Kafka and the Milk" is a live performance at TitWrench2010.

All of their music can be found here:

Snake Rattle Rattle Snake--bandcamp site

or here

"Break the Same"
 

"Like a Moth"

"Kafka and the Milk" (TitWrench 2010)

Daytrotter Live Session (free download)




She Wants Revenge "Tear You Apart"

Trust me when I say that this is their tamest video. All of the others are very......sexy?
This band is made up of LA DJs "Adam 12" Bravin and Justin Warfield. They formed in 2003.

The National "Anyone's Ghost"

While The National deserves their own post, they can't be excluded from this one.
Similar to Joy Division, their sound is very organic, sophisticated, somber, and earnest, yet their
tone quality feels warmer. They formed during the late 1990s post-punk revival, though they incorporate a variety of styles, including indie rock, Americana, and Britpop.

The National "Mistaken For Strangers"

Another great track from The National.

Interpol "Obstacle 1"

This video was directed by Floria Sigismondi, also known for her work on The Runaways film.
Interpol formed during the late 90s, but only gained international popularity during the NYC revival of 2002.
The members dress in matching suits, giving them a unique visual appearance which hints at
British-influenced sophistication.

The Whitest Boy Alive "Burning"

Initially, they began as an electronic dance music project in Berlin, Germany.
Slowly they developed into something without pre-programmed elements.
Erlend øye is on guitar and vocals.
 

The Whitest Boy Alive "Fireworks"

Lyrics. Bass line.

Good stuff.

Foals:

Foals. Wow.
I am not sure what to say.

This group has never produced a bad song. The tiny lead singer really does have the voice of an angel, or perhaps I'll go as far to say, of an angelic choir.
They are amazing live, even in a shitty venue with a bunch of shitty frat boy drunks who like to
spill their beer all over me.

Watch the next few videos and then purchase both of their albums.
You will never spend a dollar on something better.


Foals "Olympic Airways"

Foals "What Remains" (drum cover)

Both songs below are on their album Total Life Forever

This kid rocks the fuck out. I love it.

Foals "Spanish Sahara" (live session)

Tragic and haunting in true Joy Division style.

If you want to know more about Joy Division, including appearances, equipment list, band history, and other fun things....go to the unofficial page >>> Joy Division Central

You can also watch the Joy Division Documentary

Some final thoughts:

This post was really ambitious and draining. I think the next few will be on the lighter side.
Despite being a particularly vexing piece to write, it is probably the most important one to post.
Earlier this week was the 7 year anniversary of my friend, Bob Fadzen, taking his life.
But what is 7 years? Time is irrelevant. It doesn't heal all wounds, at least not in this case. 
Everyone who knew him and experienced this is more or less fucked up for life.
No matter how sad or hopeless he was, he will never know what it feels like to find something like that, or to hear that phone call.
The ones you leave behind always suffer more.
He is loved and missed immensely to this day.


Avail was one of his favorite bands, so this one is for you Bob.
Anyone reading this who wants to  preserve his memory can take a shot of Wild Turkey.
Gobble Gobble.

 Bob Fadzen 06/12/1972-04/17/2005

Avail "Simple Song"

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, please do something about it. I have been there, on both sides of it, and you can't imagine the grief that surrounds something like this. Please seek help in some form.
Or do what I do: surround yourself with music.

Help in this world is abundant, you simply have to ask for it.
Here are a few resources to get started...


National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Suicide Help Guide

One way to help is by donating to suicide awareness and prevention.
This site specifically helps fund Bob's brother Jon in his Out of the Darkness walk for suicide, though you can donate elsewhere as well.

2012 Out of the Darkness Overnight Experience Fundraiser


Take care of yourselves.

With love,

graymonster