Keep on demolishing those myths
Joy Division was without a doubt, one of the most important bands of the
modern day. They practically invented goth, for better or worse,
inspiring legions of clones who could only ever imitate them at the
superficial “gloomy” level. Over the years, much has been written about
the tragic story of this group and its late singer Ian Curtis. Films
such as Anton Corbijn’s “Control” ( a fantastic piece of film making, it
must be said) only serve to perpetuate the myth of Curtis being this
T.S. Elliot type, a brooding poet who stood apart from his friends. That
he was, but only to an extent. Peter Hook’s “Unknown Pleasures: Inside
Joy Division” does much to paint a far more realistic and believable
portrait of the man as “one of us”, and offers probably the most vital
account of Joy Division’s short career yet. He was the bassist, after
all. I haven’t even finished reading this book yet but over the last 3
days I haven’t been able to put it down, and I just had to praise it.
Having found myself hooked on his “The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club” I knew this one would be just as essential. Hooky takes us from beginning to end, growing up, meeting Bernard Sumner, founding the group, success, and the sudden jolt of the end while they were on the edge of a breakthrough American tour. This, apparently, was all that Curtis wanted all along, but as anyone who knows this band is aware, his personal circumstances became too much to handle. Given the fact that Hook and the other members of Joy Division/New Order are currently bitterly estranged (a frankly sorry state of affairs for what once was one of the very finest British groups), Hook does make a few personal criticisms of Sumner and the others throughout...however, he’s always quick to balance it out by praising them (especially Sumner) as musicians. He’s clearly proud, and rightfully so, of being a groundbreaking bass player with lines such as “She’s Lost Control” practically re-inventing the instrument in the context of modern rock, and its great to see his appreciation (in hindsight) of Martin Hannett’s genius production of their music. He also gives an intriguing track-by-track commentary to the albums which is like gold dust to fans like me.
However, what I admire most about this book is Hooky’s down to earth nature. Just as with his book about the Hacienda, reading “Unknown Pleasures” is like hearing him reminisce casually, yet thoroughly, about those times as if you were sat having a conversation with him. Despite their austere public image, these 4 guys got up to plenty of mischief on the road just like any other band and there are plenty of funny antics to read about. Its so refreshing to see the band’s story being told this way. There’s been so much pretentious nonsense written about Joy Division over the years, we really don’t need any more, especially not from one of the guys who was actually in Joy Division. I’m looking at you, Paul Morley. Now all that's left for Hook to do is publish the New Order book alluded to in the pages of this one. Can't wait for that.
Having found myself hooked on his “The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club” I knew this one would be just as essential. Hooky takes us from beginning to end, growing up, meeting Bernard Sumner, founding the group, success, and the sudden jolt of the end while they were on the edge of a breakthrough American tour. This, apparently, was all that Curtis wanted all along, but as anyone who knows this band is aware, his personal circumstances became too much to handle. Given the fact that Hook and the other members of Joy Division/New Order are currently bitterly estranged (a frankly sorry state of affairs for what once was one of the very finest British groups), Hook does make a few personal criticisms of Sumner and the others throughout...however, he’s always quick to balance it out by praising them (especially Sumner) as musicians. He’s clearly proud, and rightfully so, of being a groundbreaking bass player with lines such as “She’s Lost Control” practically re-inventing the instrument in the context of modern rock, and its great to see his appreciation (in hindsight) of Martin Hannett’s genius production of their music. He also gives an intriguing track-by-track commentary to the albums which is like gold dust to fans like me.
However, what I admire most about this book is Hooky’s down to earth nature. Just as with his book about the Hacienda, reading “Unknown Pleasures” is like hearing him reminisce casually, yet thoroughly, about those times as if you were sat having a conversation with him. Despite their austere public image, these 4 guys got up to plenty of mischief on the road just like any other band and there are plenty of funny antics to read about. Its so refreshing to see the band’s story being told this way. There’s been so much pretentious nonsense written about Joy Division over the years, we really don’t need any more, especially not from one of the guys who was actually in Joy Division. I’m looking at you, Paul Morley. Now all that's left for Hook to do is publish the New Order book alluded to in the pages of this one. Can't wait for that.
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