Control
August 18, 2008, Matthew Good I watched Anton Corbijn’s Control last night and was mesmerized by it. Truth be told, I had forgotten the impact that Joy Division had on me in me in my youth - the simplicity of their music and yet its mesmerizing power. The only downside to the film was the fact that during the closing credits a cover of Shadowplay by The Killers was included. I mention that only because, to me, The Killers are a poor man’s version of Joy Division and have built a career on resurrecting something that others did far better, and with far greater risk, thirty years ago.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with Joy Division I urge you to head directly to iTunes and purchase The Best Of Joy Division as a place to start. Once you do that, listen to Transmission, which was released as a single in 1979, at a volume that will piss off everyone within a 1 mile radius. Either that or watch them perform it live below…
Joy Division’s catalogue is small, consisting of only two LP’s and a handful of singles, though what they began would ultimately produce a group that would go on to sell millions of records and influence an entire generation - New Order, which consisted of Joy Division’s remaining original members following Ian Curtis’ suicide with the addition of Gillian Gilbert. Truth be told, had Curtis lived, Joy Division may have very well outdone New Order’s global success.
All of that said, the film was very well done. One aspect of it that I truly appreciated was that Curtis’s widow, Deborah, who helped produce the film, and whose book it was based on, was extremely open with regards to the extra marital relationship that Curtis had with Annik Honoré, what she meant to him, and how the strife caused by it truly affected him.
One thing about Ian Curtis that I have always admired was his dislike of fame and for admitting that Joy Division’s growing popularity was something that he felt suffocating. At the time of his suicide the band had gained notoriety but did not enjoy the sort of sales that are usually equated with a band of significant popularity. Even at that level, Curtis found it difficult to cope. Coupled with his battle against epilepsy and the stresses of his personal relationships, his death seemed an inevitability in many ways. Unfortunately, as is the case throughout modern music history, his suicide cemented Joy Division’s place in history instead of providing a wakeup call to the realities of what can happen to artists when their personal difficulties are given less attention than the pressures placed upon them to placate audiences.
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Fun Fact - The Crow (graphic novel, not the movie) was in part dedicated to Ian Curtis. There are numerous chapters named after the songs by Joy Division. There were also some quotes from Jim Carroll and Robert Smith too.
This would explain Trent Reznor’s cover of Dead Soul’s on the soundtrack….
You are welcome.
Being that I am almost 30, I never really knew anything about Joy Division, other than the name. But I defintley enjoyed the Youtube link and will look to pickup the best of album. I do enjoy the Killers and really had no idea about Joy Division, does that make me poor? Haha, kidding of course, I am sure that some Killers fans will take offense to your post as always and try to start some kind of BS just because you gave your opinion. It’s unfortunate. By the way, Nada Surf has an excellent song called River Phoenix which seems to be about Ian Curtis. Now I know who he was, thanks.
Society only likes the “crazy magazine cover” of look into most artists personal struggles. They don’t want it to be real because then they can’t laugh at it. We loose far to many people to our grind em up & spit em out attitude. Notice how few people actually look you straight in the eye anymore? Nobody wants the real shit scene, just the perez hilton-esque one. The one that lets them say “Wow, thank god, I’m normal!”
ps- thank you Patrick. Did not know that little fun fact
JD is just on of those bands……. can’t keep the body still when you hear it.
oh yeah!
pps- why do fans assume that when an artist puts forth their work (musically or otherwise) and a fan buys it that they’ve purchased the individual as well and have “bought” some right to them personally.
I never understood that one….
i would have to answer your question with a question - how many abagoriginals are male models?
Obviously my answer is yellow. or left, depending which side of the equator you’re on..
That movie (Control) was indeed very good- I saw it when it first came out on DVD… It is hard to imagine the struggles he went through..Battling success, a force he was thrown into, yet fought to escape…Being so admired, yet having such an aversion to the popularity that began as a creation of his own being.
I knew you would like this movie, being that you are such a New order fan!
And Pitt: I actually have heard of said tid bit before, as not to rain on your parade… Thank you for sharing.
you heard of that before bruise violet? you’re a total nerd.
Joy Division is one of my favorite bands and I fell in love with the film the moment I saw it. I love Ian Curtis’s poetry and I love how simple their songs are (guitar riff, bass riff, and simple drumming) but how amazing they can be. My favorite would have to be either Ceremony or Disorder. Actually, Radiohead did a cover of Ceremony and it was pretty good.
I think earlier this summer someone stole Ian Curtis’s headstone and they’ve recently replaced it but the culprit has not been caught yet.
I’d love to watch Control. Enjoyed many a listen to Joy Division, and New Order was the stepping stone for electronica/house music.
[quote comment="62196"]Joy Division is one of my favorite bands and I fell in love with the film the moment I saw it. I love Ian Curtis’s poetry and I love how simple their songs are (guitar riff, bass riff, and simple drumming) but how amazing they can be. My favorite would have to be either Ceremony or Disorder. Actually, Radiohead did a cover of Ceremony and it was pretty good.
I think earlier this summer someone stole Ian Curtis’s headstone and they’ve recently replaced it but the culprit has not been caught yet.[/quote]
WTF?????
Please tell me you’re kidding. Please. That is beyond creepy/sickening/fucked up.
Nope, I kid you not.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jul/03/news.culture
:) You must be too…you wrote about it first there Pitt.
I guess I just happened to have known that because I was a huge fan of the Crow, along with the first movie and its subsequent Soundtrack.
In addition to the little bit of info you unveiled, i will add another couple:
The character of Eric, developed from a mosaic of several musical influences in O’Barr’s life, including Iggy Pop (who happened to have starred in the film).
Gothic influences from The Cure are also apparent, and they also contributed to the Soundtrack.
Blah blah blah..Henry Rollins & Iggy…gothic fiction ….writers, poets, artists…..all influences, and contributers to the Crow
…
It’s really nice to read these little excepts on the 80’s. Being that I grew up then, The Joy Division, as well as New Order, made a significant impact in their own realm. I’m glad you remember. What about introducing bands like The The or The Smiths. I can recall thinking that The Killers’ , Smile Like you Mean It, was Morrisey, for a split second. It’s nice to see that some of your fans will download and actually fall in love with them. Very well done.
i’d like to second The The as worthy of mention. some of his work reminds me of yours, actually.
and, since it’s been a long while since you brought them up, you could always namecheck Talk Talk again. I’ve certainly done my fair share of advocacy on their part.
love mope.
oh also bruise violet - awesome username. i listened to fontanelle just today, in fact.
love mope.
Ah…that voice…
BV- if you’re into tid bits of music nerdom have you ever treated yourself to alan cross (radio show, books, podcasts).
check out edge.ca for more. great great stuff.
[quote comment="62185"]Fun Fact - The Crow (graphic novel, not the movie) was in part dedicated to Ian Curtis. There are numerous chapters named after the songs by Joy Division. There were also some quotes from Jim Carroll and Robert Smith too.
This would explain Trent Reznor’s cover of Dead Soul’s on the soundtrack….
You are welcome.[/quote]
My favourite graphic novel, movie and soundtrack.
NIN’s my second fave band.
Also, Smashing Pumpkins used to cover transmission live… I loved it so. Best bootleg is from a live show in Vancouver in 96.
My friend Cam has some super rare Joy Division vinyl that Ian Curtis packaged himself. He has insurance on it.
[quote comment="62218"]i’d like to second The The as worthy of mention. some of his work reminds me of yours, actually.
and, since it’s been a long while since you brought them up, you could always namecheck Talk Talk again. I’ve certainly done my fair share of advocacy on their part.
love mope.[/quote]
The The, Matt Johnson, Dogs of Lust…nice :0)
Talk Talk Joy Division were just about all that was worth listening to then.
Quoting Matt: “…listen to Transmission, which was released as a single in 1979, at a volume that will piss off everyone within a 1 mile radius.”
Try it on the loud Australian girls?? :0)
It really is a fantastic film. I’m a huge Joy Division fan and saw the movie at the Van film festival a while back. Acting, direction, etc… all worthwhile.
“Control” was one of the few films I managed to catch at last year’s film fest and was the one I enjoyed the most. The format in B&W worked in the tone so well. For those who enjoy biographies, I’d suggest reading Deborah’s book, “Touching from a Distance”. it even includes lyrics (both published and non-published).
Control was such a brilliant film. Gorgeous cinematography, but more importantly showed perfectly how Ian Curtis brought something truly unique to Joy Division. Their music is, to this day, unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Curtis’ voice is enough to send chills up and down your spine.
If you haven’t seen it already, I also recommend the recent documentary on them (simply titled Joy Division). There’s actually some interesting speculation with regards to the cocktail of medication Ian was taking for his epilepsy, and whether the side effects may have emphasized his depression or even led to bipolarity.
(Also, LOVE the excerpt of Evidently Chickentown at the beginning of that clip)
DANCE DANCE DANCE dance to the RADIO!
Already on my musical rotation for driving, this is the BEST song to dance to.
Great band, great post!
Oh and I would also suggest the movie “24 Hour Party People” it’s about Factory Records and is a pretty cute little movie.
The Wombats have a single “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” - it’s punchy enough for my liking, maybe you’ll like it too.
That’s my two cents
Its cool that you added the video here. I saw one documentary on Joy Division & it pretty much blew me away. I haven’t had the chance to check out Control, so I can only imagine. Joy Division, The Smith…all those brit bands kicked *ss:D
I thought the Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten was pretty powerful as well!
Right now I’m checking out Beethoven its from a series from BBC TV of all the great composers…Oh to the moon! haha
hey matt what do you think of the song “atmosphere” by joy division.. I think its one of their best.. the chorus is so emotional yet there are no lyrics!!
I saw Control a few months ago - one of my work colleagues raved about it after seeing the premiere at the edinburgh film festival.
Now, I love Joy Division, but had a bit of a problem consolidating Sam Reilly’s speaking voice with his Ian Curtis’ singing voice plus I didn’t think Corbjin made enough of the inner struggle that Curtis must have been facing before he decided to take his own life - that said, it was a cracking film, the re-enactments of shows that can be seen on YouTube were spot-on and being shot entirely in B&W really established the ‘its grim up north’ feel. Oh, can’t forget the groovy mister bean style dancing!
[quote comment="62219"]oh also bruise violet - awesome username. i listened to fontanelle just today, in fact.
love mope.[/quote]
Why thank you very much Mope!!!
[quote comment="62256"]BV- if you’re into tid bits of music nerdom have you ever treated yourself to alan cross (radio show, books, podcasts).
check out edge.ca for more. great great stuff.[/quote]
Big thank you Pitt, (sorry I am gettgin back to you so late!) …I am not too familiar with Alan Cross, but I will certainly check him out!
Another film suggestion, well docu-drama really, “Wide Awake” by Alan Berliner. It’s very intriguing to ‘night-owls’ who can relate….sleep deprivation, and skewed circadians, and all that. I was riveted being one myself. Best.