Joy Division only released two albums but they led the way out
of punk rock and towards Madchester. This is a site for Joy Division fans with listings for all releases, concerts,
books, videos etc
Everything on this site is Copyright Mark Price (and associates)
1998 - 2015 unless otherwise stated. We are normally sympathetic to the use of short extracts for non commercial
use on application but such permission is not implied.
Discography- our ever expanding list of Joy Division CDs, LPs and singles.
With advice on what to buy.
An original handwritten poem by the lead singer of Joy Division, Ian Curtis. Ian wrote the poem at school circa
1966/1967. The poem is written on a piece of lined paper and is glued into a school book called Our Book Of Epitaphs
along with poems from the other pupils in the class. It reads, “An Epitaph for an Electrian (sic), Here lies Fred
the electrian (sic), who went on a very fateful mission, he got a shock when tampering with a fuse, which went
from his head right down to his shoes, by I. Curtis”. Ian has also drawn a small picture of a man and a tombstone.
The poem comes with a letter from the owner who was a fellow pupil. It reads, “I grew up on Hurdsfield Estate,
Macclesfield where I attended Hurdsfield Junior School. I started Hurdsfield Junior School in 1963 where I met
Ian Curtis, he was a fellow pupil in my class and we went through school together. Mr Young was our teacher when
this piece of work was carried out, he himself has got a poem in the book along with myself and all the other pupils
in the class. This poem was written in 1966 or 1967. I was presented with the book at the end of the school year
for being head boy. At the time the head teacher was called Mr Tattasall. Ian Curtis lived on Grey Stoke Road,
Hurdsfield Estate, I lived on Delemere Road, Hurdsfield Estate, Cheshire”.
The poem measures 16.5cm x 9.5cm (6.5 inches x 3.75 inches), the book measures 28.5cm x 22cm (11.25 inches x 8.75
inches). The condition of the poem is excellent. There is some wear and aging to the book and a vertical crease
down the last 5 pages and back cover. A few of the poems have also become detached from the book. The condition
of the book is very good minus.
Jon Savage Interview Lee McFadden interviews Jon Savage for Joy Division Central about So
This is Permanance.
Many thanks to both of them. And thanks too to Deborah Curtis for making these private notebooks available giving
us this unique insight into Ian Curtis's creative thought processes.
23 Oct
Joy Division in Yorkshire Julian has massively updated his article with new photos and information
about the good Mood Club, The Coach House and St Georges Hall. For those of you who are familiar with the origional
article we've highlighted the new text in green for the time being. Many thanks to Julian for this excellent piece
of work.
Photographs of Ian Curtis showing his lighter side at an office party circa 1977 have surfaced on the Invincible Error Tumblr account. The photos had previously been posted on Instagram
by someone who obtained them from a work colleague. If that's you please get in touch
We're not sure when these photos were taken but you can read our article about Ian's working life here
Julian's research for his Joy Division in Yorkshire article continues as new facts come to light and new people contact him with more information.
Today the Huddersfield Daily Examiner helped out with this appeal about the particularly mysterious Coach House
gig
We are very sorry to hear of the death of Annik Honoré earlier today following a serious illness. Annik
was the co-founder of independent record label Les Disques Du Crépuscule and promoted a number of legendary
concerts at Plan K in Brussels. She was also Ian Curtis's girfriend and confidante.
Band On The Wall 1978 - listing updated with the earliest fan photos that
have been unearthed so far plus recollections from the photographers and Mick Middles. Many thanks to Bernard &
Joe, Shug Sludden and Mick Middles
Photo (C) copyright Bernard & Joe and
used here with permission
Vive
Le Rock- features three page Martin Hannett article "The Zero Theorem" by Hugh Gulland
13 June
Assembly Rooms Derby-
Tony (Bigissue) Peppiatt was there and shares his memories
21 May
Leigh Festival- listing updated
with a fan's recollections. Thanks to 1 Lucky Oldman
19 May
Record Collector-
Joy Division feature on June's cover and there's a 6 page article on the making of Unknown Pleasures by Jake Kennedy
- thanks to Steve Clarke
Joy Division in Yorkshire-
article added. About a year ago Julian, one of our messageboard regulars, started researching the Joy Division
shows in his home county and today we're pleased to publish the fruits of his labour. Thanks Julian.
Joy Division rehearsal recordings surface after 35 years:
Unheard Joy Division rehearsal outtakes have come to light nearly 35 years after they were first recorded and feature
three versions of ‘A Means to an End’ and an instrumental track.
The first documented live performance of ‘A Means to an End’ was at Les Bains Douches, Paris in December 1979 and
the only studio recording was made at Britannia Road studios in March 1980. The song was released on the Closer
album in July 1980 some two months after Ian Curtis’s death.
The 90 second instrumental is a historic find as it doesn’t sound like an early incarnation of any later Joy Division
song.
Unfortunately it is unlikely these Lo-fi recordings will feature on a future Joy Division release as the vocals
are low in the mix and in all probability this was a cassette tape from a rehearsal session
21 Mar
Record Store Day April 19th 2014-
Joy Division release confirmed as An Ideal For Living 12"
Un numbered limited edition of 7,500 copies.
New cover inspired by the original 12" scaffold sleeve
The new 2014 sleeve on the left - and the original on the right
