Joy Division - Transmission live on BBCtv Something Else, 1979
In 1979 I heard Joy Division on John Peel. I liked them but that’s a strong as i can say, if I’m being honest. But then I saw Joy Division perform two songs on the early evening BBC youth culture programme (there was plenty of these programmes back then!) She’s Lost Control and Transmission.
From the humour of Manchester’s wonderful punk-poet John Cooper-Clarke reading verse while walking through a shopping centre, it was cut straight back to the studio and Peter Hook’s throbbing bassline introduction to their single, Transmission.
It is rare that a tv performance stirs up such emotions, as this did for me and countless friends and other teenagers of my generation. For those unfortunate enough not to have witnessed a Joy Division live experience, this was and still is a lasting memory I shall never forget.
The intensity of the music and Ian Curtis’ mad-eyed screaming stare is a truly awesome and powerful piece of post-punk music. Dance dance dance to the radio, indeed.
Before watching this I was still punk. Post-Transmission, I was something else.
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