Backspin: Peter Hook on Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures'

The iconic bassist explains how one historical Sex Pistols gig inspired the formation of Joy Division.

[VuotoPneumaNN]

-"I wanted this to sound like The Clash"
**Writes New Dawn Fades**

[gliddofglood]

The guys in Joy Divison were 20, 21 when they created this. Unreal. A piece of existential art that is timeless. Stuff that almost none of us won't ever produce in our entire lifetimes. A frightening thought.

[thecrispy]

Fun fact. Martin Hannett made Stephen Morris go up to the roof of the studio, disassemble his drum kit, reassemble it, and then practice until Martin came back hours later

[davidvbobb]

52 years old and finally got my first JD 'Unknown Pleasures' T Shirt. Better late than never. So humbled to have the ability to enjoy this music and more importantly, what it means.

[vincentwitters]

The cover of the album is my favorite cover ever.

[davidkennedy]

The amount of bands that started up after watching Sex Pistols play is crazy. And these follow on bands were all far more successful than Sex Pistols could dream of.

[MOTORFREAKER]

This album changes my life back then in 1979 when I first listened it...

[thetriumphofthethrill]

Such a compellingly articulate man. What a proud and great legacy he leaves behind.

[vasp]

I don't worship any god but I do adore Joy Division and the sublime majesty of their work . And they were kids, kids in their early 20's . Fucking true but unbelievable .

[jeffsmith]

24 hours and dead souls have to be 2 of the greatest songs ever written!!

[leedummett]

hooky and steve are a great rythmn section.

[Youtube_deleted_my_favourites]

Cheers Hooky and co. Your albums got me through the 80's!

[royalnass]

wow martin hanett was a heck of a producer

[veerchasm]

How I wish Hooky and New Order would reconcile.

[etherealcatholic]

"Leaders of Men"
"No Love loss"
"Warsaw"
"Novelty"
"Digital" none of which are on
"U.P." are my fave
Joy Division songs.

[TweedSuit]

2:15 Taking out the springs in the drum kit - i think he was referring to the bass drum lugs on the front side. Steve Morris didn't use the front skin so the lugs would be loose and they will rattle.

[chuffpup]

He seems okay. A bit bitter and twisted these days, but can you blame him? Still funny and articulate, and one of the members of "Joy Division" and nothing will change that. What a classic record. I'm that age too. Played music and did that stuff. Hook is iconic, an innovator, and down to earth, that's pretty good.

[mikescott]

...the great thing about the evolution of music (or art) everyone (talented) opens the door for another:
Sex Pistols inspire (to dare to start) Joy Division, sex pistols want to be the UK Ramones, Ramones emulate the NY Dolls or the Dictators, they loved the VU and the british invasion groups and their idols was the 50's US Rockers and so on... FANTASTIC!

[TerryLee]

Peter....no one can ever do a Joy Division song quite like you guys did it!!! You guys are so underrated.... I can't even think of any other band today that can compare to the sound and lyrics of JD. ❤👍

[UKAlanR]

I happened to be present when JD were being inteviewed by Adrian Thrills (of NME), at their last-ever gig in Birmingham.
Hooky's closing comment about the press, and the laugh as he said it, is ripped into Thrills at times! The interview wasn't reproduced in great detail in NME, because the 'main story' by then was Ian Curtis's death.