There was a sense of change in the year of 1976. Something was brewing. The youth were showing signs of disaffection. The mill towns of Northern England were beginning to become nothing more than pale shadows of their former industrial glories. In this dark, isolated, bleak and sombre backdrop emerged a band that was to strike a chord with the nation's disillusioned youth. This band was to be known as 'Joy Division'.

Inspired by a an intimate Sex Pistols concert at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall in June 1976, Peter Hook (Bass) and Bernard Sumner (Guitar) decided to setup their own band. After trialing Tony Tabac on drums, the lads opted for Terry Mason after only a month. In need of singer, the lads placed an advert in Virgin Records where Ian Curtis (already known to the band) applied for the position. Curtis was hired without an audition, and so the journey began. Originally named 'Warsaw' the band began supporting many local acts, including 'The Buzzcocks'. During this period the band had replaced Mason on drums with Steve Brotherdale, but sacked him soon after in August 1977 after his 'erratic' and 'aggressive' behaviour became too much. Stephen Morris was then hired to replace Brotherdale after an advert was placed in a music shop window.

In late 1977, the band felt there was too much similarity to the name of London punk band 'Warsaw Pakt' and decided to adopt the name 'Joy Division' instead. Between 1977 and the 1979 album release of 'Unknown Pleasures', the band spent their time honing their sound by performing regularly in the North of England. In 1978 the band joined forces with Tony Wilson's inspired Factory Records - a unique label where the artists didn't sign any contracts, but had complete rights and control over their own material. After the release of 'Unknown Pleasures', Joy Division's reputation as a leading band in the new Post-Punk arena grew in status. After a number of critically acclaimed reviews in the musical press and numerous TV performances, it wasn't long before the band were touring nationwide, once again supporting 'The Buzzcocks'.

By 1980, 'Joy Division' were touring Europe, but had to cancel a number of dates due to Ian's detoriating health. Curtis suffered severe epilepsy and had already collapsed on stage a number of times during this period. He often incorporated the frantic seizure style into his dancing on stage. Following a one-off gig in Birmingham on May 2, the band took a two-week rest in anticipation of their scheduled American tour. Around this time Ian Curtis was suffering not only with his health, but also in his personal life too as his marriage was on the verge of breaking down. On the eve of the American tour on the 17th May 1980, Curtis hung himself in his kitchen. His death sent shockwaves through music and propelled the legend of a tortured genius. With the death of Curtis firmly in the minds of the remaining members, the band felt it would be right to no longer produce any new music under the 'Joy Division' name. With this in mind, after the single release of the iconic 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and album release of 'Closer', 'Joy Division' effectively ceased to no longer exist. The three remaining members went on to form 'New Order'.

In Football Casual terms, 'Joy Division' emerged around the same time the Casual scene was developing across the UK. The music held wide appeal to the youth of the time as the bleak tone seemed to strike a chord with the general feeling of abandonment. Post-punk was very much an under-rated era in popular music, but this period arguably gave birth to many great Indie bands which were to follow – even to this day.

ICONIC TRACKS: 'Transmission', 'Atmosphere' & 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'
RECCOMENDED ALBUM: 'Uknown Pleasures' (1979)