Peter Hook Playing Joy Division’s Closer Live, Releasing Four-Song Joy Division Covers EP

Mar 07, 2011

by CHARTattack Robot

When former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook played some gigs last year in which he performed Joy Division’s classic 1979 Unknown Pleasures debut album in entirety, you had to figure that wasn’t going to be the only time he reworked his former band’s glories.

Hooky’s now set to play the band’s final studio album, 1980′s Closer, at Manchester, England’s The Factory on May 18.

If you’re a big Joy Division-head, you know May 18, 1980 was the day Curtis hanged himself. So you can basically read Hooky’s playing Closer on the anniversary of Curtis’ death as either a touching tribute to the influential frontman or… an attempt to further exploit his image and legacy and make some money off the Ian Curtis Cult.

The bassist has also announced a few more gigs where he’ll play Unknown Pleasures in entirety; you can see him do so on April 23 at London, England’s Scala and Edinburgh, Scotland’s Liquid Room a week later.

But that’s not all. Hooky’s also set to release a four-song EP, 1102/2011, on May 2. It’ll feature his versions of Joy Division’s “New Dawn Fades,” “Insight” and “Atmosphere,” along with an unreleased tune, “Pictures In My Mind,” which the band originally worked on in 1977.

There’s been a lot of grumbling on the interwebs of late about Hooky playing full Joy Division albums, but let’s be honest… it could get much worse. He could be releasing a host of terrible Joy Division merch in order to make himself a quick buck.

Here, then, are some Joy Division merch items we hope are never made:

Joy Division condoms
It makes complete sense when KISS release rubbers; Gene Simmons is, after all, the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll loverman. Hell, it’s even appropriate when Ke$ha announces she’s putting a line of condoms out with her face on them. Appropriate and funny. But Joy Division condoms? Their music is as sexless as a brick wall.

Dildos
We really, really think this merch market should just be left to Rammstein and people like 50 Cent. This would even make sense for Nine Inch Nails. But Joy Division? Just stay away from this idea, Hooky.

Ian Curtis bobblehead dolls
We’re sure people with epilepsy would be really, really, really insulted by this one. Think about it.

Shoes
Wait. Nevermind. That’s been done.

Hot sauce
Because “She’s Lost Control” and cayenne pepper sauce obviously, obviously have a direct link.

Urinal cakes
This would be the ultimate act of pissing on Ian Curtis’ memory. We’d prefer you piss on Gene Simmons’ face instead.

Peter Hook Playing Joy Division’s Closer Live, Releasing Four-Song Joy Division Covers EP

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