Music Views: The Eternal Importance of Joy Division.

The Post-Punk era bred some very important music. Bands like Public Image LTD, Siouxsie and The Banshees, and Bauhaus come to mind. And unlike Punk Rock from which it sprang, Post-Punk had a strong creative edge and an almost anything goes approach that could rival the very best of late '60's Psychedelic Rock. However, the most potent and important band to emerge out of Post-Punk would be none other than England's own Joy Division. Joy Division as a band essentially defined Post-Punk. In a live setting, Joy Division could almost be referred to as Black Sabbath fronted by Jim Morrison, and on their atmospheric albums helmed by Martin Hannett, they essentially invented Goth Rock. Joy Division bandleader Ian Curtis often wrote strange poetics that vaguely detailed his medical condition of epilepsy, and it was not uncommon for him to go into an occasional fit on stage.

Just two records and a pair of singles were produced during Joy Division's brief three year existence from 1977 until May of 1980, which was when Ian Curtis decided to end his life. However how troubled he was exactly, and however how short Joy Division as a band existed; the music itself speaks volumes about creatively fertile minds. Ian Curtis possessed a powerful baritone, almost like Frank Sinatra on cough drops, and his lyrical content had a universal world weariness to it that would appeal to any listener fond of treating music as a think piece. Percussionist Stephen Morris had an impressive robotic approach and created some amazing trance-style beats. My favorite member of the band was the great bassist Peter Hook, who was capable of using the bass as a substantial yet highly melodic lead instrument. Rounding out the foursome was Bernard Sumner, a young gentleman who really knew how to shred a guitar and give a moody solo when a song called for it, and later, also provided some keyboard touches for Joy Division's more funeral-oriented moments.

While we all know and love the music of Joy Division, it is my goal in writing this article to serve the purpose of reminding you that good music is always out there, because sometimes we do forget, don't we? What with the world of contemporary Pop rarely offering anything of substance. So, if you are not satisfied with the Rap flavored Country Music videos that appear in abundance on CMT that often preach of family values and gooey love for the old Red, White and Blue. Or perhaps the latest Weezer record left you feeling more than a little empty, shall we say? Then remember: Joy Division is your cure. Just dust off "Unknown Pleasures" and you will be back to your old self in no time. To further investigate the technical specifics of Joy Division, I recommend the Deborah Curtis biography of her late husband entitled "Touching From A Distance." Also, the "Heart And Soul" box set is a Jim Dandy of a purchase.

Look, the director of this music video has made a feature film based upon Joy Division exploits that is supposedly going to be released later this year. And now for something completely Gothic: