Ian Curtis- An Appreciation

But there was, what journalists tediously labeled, post punk. Bands taking the initial spirit and adding their own twists and influences. In my home City of Coventry, the Two Tone movement was well underway and would have a resounding impact culturally. But as a young disaffected lad looking for direction, my compass was pointing firmly towards the musically rich waters of Manchester and in particular, a band by the name of Joy Division.

From the off, they were like a dark mystique. Shunned by daytime radio, only the saviour of the alternative, John Peel gave them airtime including the much prized sessions. They were slowly becoming music press darlings but were far from keen to embrace this. You were reduced to finding clues for yourself, in the brilliantly shot monochrome photos, including frames of the manic, almost unworldly dancing of lead singer, Ian Curtis. Clothes, smart yet functional, they looked what they were, men on a mission.

At the forefront, Curtis, his voice raw, yet ultra emotional. Strong yet pleading. The debut album, Unknown Pleasures was indeed true to its title. They were coming seemingly only from inside theirselves. Influences were scant, every sparse but beautiful guitar note used to the maximum. High basslines often playing the melody. A human drum machine, Martin Hannett's echo laden production, unsympathic yet compelling. And in the middle of it all, the astounding voice and lyrics of Curtis.

His words threw up images of a protagonist in an uncomfortable place, trapped in a malaise. Then you realised this was, everyday life. Like it had taken a claustrophobic hold. The only way was to reach out but the only result was disappointment. Lyrically, as can be sensed today, the themes were timeless.

The album recieved plaudits but was a commercial slow burner. Joy Division were on Manchester indie label, Factory. Things were done differently. Not one single emerged from Unknown Pleasures, despite it housing accessible classics like, Disorder, and She's Lost Control. This was a band who weren't playing the game because they weren't playing games, this was for real.

On one off single, Transmission, it was like Curtis was a man trying to exorcise his demons. The scant footage of live performances show a performer far beyond that of performance. It is a person giving everything, often it emerged to his own detriment health wise.

Diagnosed epileptic, in a time when the condition was much misunderstood, it must have been so difficult to be singer in a rising band. Coupled with personal issues, the pressure took its toll. On the eve of the groups's debut American tour, Ian Curtis took his own life. A shattering blow for all connected with the band. His immediate legacy was the second completed album, Closer, a flawless masterpiece laying bare his own flaws.

But also a hope seldom mentioned, "If you could just see the beauty." He implores on, Isolation. Its like a forlorn longing. The album is impossible to listen to without thinking, this is a person looking for release and finding nothing. The non LP, single, Love Will Tear Us Apart, was instantly hailed a classic and remains over thirty years on, the ultimate broken relationship lyric. Another song, Atmosphere, emerged, a thing of true beauty. For a band who dealt in the dark menacing shadows, they were capable of the melancholically majestic.

It is a remarkable tribute to the survivors, Sumner, Hook and Morris they formed another groundbreaking band from virtually scratch. The legend of Joy Division continued to grow as the years passed. They became a major influence on major influences. Though there is not much recorded filmed footage, there is enough to confirm Curtis as one of the greatest mesmeric frontman, supremely gifted lyrically. He had it all. His flame, brief though it was, shines with permanence.

This is backed up by hosts of fans who were born years after Joy Division ceased to exist. They recognise that while most music is fickle, prone to fashion, this band were beyond all that. They seized what they had to escape the limitations of their environment. Took us on a dark journey with wonderous glimpses of light. Ian Curtis painted narratives of stories that engulfed him. We have much to be grateful for. As he sings in his defining lyric, "There's still this appeal, we've kept through the years."