Record Play Pause: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: the Joy Division Years: Volume I

Record Play Pause: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: the Joy Division Years: Volume I by Stephen Morris

Stephen Morris's memoir is the best of the Joy Division autobiography. There is very little "set the record straight" content and just a history of where he came from and what he feels. He came from a fairly normal house. He became enamoured with music. He was not so keen on school. He got into drugs which got him suspended from school. He was only too happy to drop out when he had a chance. He had a stint as a freelance music writer. He took up drums, but was not that good. (He thought he could disguise it by having more drums.) He want on to meet up with the other guys and form Joy Division. He also became attracted to synthesizers and drum machines. The book details the formation and some of the initial activities of the band. The focus is very much on his experience. He self-deprecatingly declares himself a horrible singer and a not very good drummer. (Though he does have a drummer's desire to be on time.) There is very little on conflicts within the band - it seems the biggest "conflict" is him retroactively wondering what they could have done to help Ian Curtis to help him from committing suicide. The book is interesting look at life and experiences in the late 1970s punk and post-punk scene in northern England.

Joy Division: Piece by Piece: Writing About Joy Division 1977 2007

Joy Division: Piece by Piece: Writing About Joy Division 1977 2007 by Paul Morley

Paul Morley observed Joy Division from the very start (before they were even called Warsaw.) Their early concerts were nothing special. They were one of many bands that had some potential. They were mentioned here in there in the context of the many new bands that were popping up on the Manchester scene after the Sex Pistols concert.

Then the author fell in love with Joy Division. He wasn't even allowed to review Unknown Pleasure because he loved it so much. He got to know the band well. He could not say enough about the band and their music. He knew the musicians and all the people around them (The producer, Martin Hannett; Factory records owner Tony Wilson; Designer Peter Saville, etc.) He was just a much a member of the scene.

The death of Ian Curtis put his Joy Division love on overdrive. They became almost deified. His favorite band was now frozen in time.

The writing is incredibly verbose. A lot of parts must be rapidly skimmed just to keep the context. Names and bands are dropped with abandon. while some essays were explicitly about Joy Divisions, others are only tangentially related. (A long essay on a band may mention that Joy Division was an influence.)  The tone feels like that of a zine written by somebody deeply embedded with the musicians who could not be concerned with editing. He is not an impatient observer, but likely played a role in the legend of Joy Division.

Chapter and Verse: New Order, Joy Division and Me

Chapter and Verse: New Order, Joy Division and Me by Bernard Sumner

Bernard Sumner is the lead singer of New Order and guitarist for Joy Division. This book is his contribution to the history of Joy Division and New Order. The narrative is much different than Peter Hook's. It feels much more polished than Peter Hook's. Sumner has had a more significant role in New Order and the book shows it. The book starts with his early life and quickly goes through time with Joy Division. Ian Curtis's suicide is a small blip. It gets about as much coverage as the death of others associated with the band (such as managers.) While this book is polished, it is easy to see the roots of the falling out between Sumner and Peter Hook. It feels that he is trying to paper over some of the bitterness and anger the two had. It also becomes clear that Sumner had been exerting more control though he appears to feel somewhat oblivious. (He feels his side project was a nice outlet, but is critical of a bandmate DJing.) There seem to be some interesting communication issues.

The narrative is primarily chronological and focuses more on the personal experiences than detailing all parts of the band. There are extensive details of recordings of certain albums, while others are skipped over. There is very little discussion of individual songs. More of the focus is on process and life events. It feels different than typical rock memoirs, but New Order has always been a little bit of different band.

Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division

Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division by Peter Hook

The surviving members of Joy Division have each written their story of the band. Peter Hook's was the first and one of the most popular. Stylistically it is a very much an unfiltered view of a young kids in band. This may be authentic, but it does not make for a great read. The combination of his accent and vernacular language makes it difficult to follow the audiobook. There were also numerous chronologies interspersed. These were easier to understand, but did not do much for the story. For most of the book, these were young kids messing around and gradually being able to live as musicians. 

The end covers the final days of the band and the death of Ian Curtis. It felt easier to understand. Now the inner feelings came out. The event was devastating and difficult for everybody involved. The band did regroup to form New Order. Hook seems to feel that the peak was reached with New Order. (Though there may be some revisionist history as he came to clash with his bandmates.) I had listened to an excerpts of Stephen Morris's book and found it easier on the ears. While hook is unfiltered and has a grudge, Morris is a better story.

This Searing Light, the Sun and Everything Else: Joy Division: The Oral History

Joy Division had a brief life as a band before the singer, Ian Curtis, committed suicide. Despite the brief life, they have achieved a cult status and were very influential to many other bands. The remaining members of the band continued on as New Order and had success of their own.

At the onset, this book reads more as interview notes than a coherent story. It is primarily an assemblage of quotes from various parties involved. Gradually, as the book progresses, the narrative becomes more coherent. This is the story of young musicians that had managed to achieve a small degree of success. They paid their dues and went through the process. Gradually they became more popular and influential. The group struggled with the new-found fame, while trying to stay true to their independent roots.  However, Ian started to experience seizures. He was diagnosed with epilepsy, and given medication (that may have caused other problems.) He was also suffering with his wife's pregnancy and an other women. The band was trying to carry on with him and was on the onset of an American tour when he committed suicide. In retrospect, the signs were there (including previous suicide attempts). However, the band had attempted to power past them.