JOY DIVISION & KILLING JOKE stories by Jaz Coleman

JAZ COLEMAN of KILLING JOKE shares stories about touring with JOY DIVISION in February 1980, IAN CURTIS backstage, and working with PETER HOOK in Germany. With "She's Lost Control" 12-inch vinyl version. (Video produced by Ra Bob; Jaz Coleman video camera by Ian Bull; slide show research & compilation by Ra Bob; Audio courtesy of "The 13th Floor" Radio Programme, New Zealand, January 2013. Hear the full programme: 13thfloor.co.nz... )

[@SteveAFCLondon]

Killing Joke - the best band ive ever seen. Joy Division - the best band ive never seen.

[@martinquarton184]

Saw both. Killing Joke and Joy Division at the same venue but different dates,Th Ajanta in Derby

[@mikedown1250]

same here

[@goffice7945]

I'm 26 and have been listening to Killing Joke since I was like 12 when the 2003 album came out. I had the opportunity to meet Jaz when he was giving autographs for a Hosannas from the Basement of Hell live in Lyon. I had a compilation album of Killing Joke songs and brought it so Jaz could sign it. He laughed and asked me what's this... The album was not an original, it was a pirated compilation. I didn't know it. He still signed it. What a great man.

[@duantorruellas716]

Cool 👍

[@royalnass1029]

no joke joy division is probably one of the best things that ever happened to music to this day

[@dennisdronevids]

Absolutely

[@demo3456]

@@dennisdronevids To have been to one of those shows.. Man if I ever get a time machine that's where I'm going. To see KJ and JD play? That is like my dream.

[@nicolewilliams6052]

God i love both bands still.

[@royalnass1029]

same here but no band can fuck with joy division

[@royalnass1029]

long live ian curtis

[@BluWarta92]

This is so amazing! I'm a little over 20 years old and just this spring, I "found" Killing Joke. Honestly, I cannot see how to keep listening music without them. I'm just a rookie here, and so I have great respect to those who have been listening this band for a long time. Even more toward Killing Joke, such a long career, such diversity, so interesting subjects on different albums and these guys are still best friends!! Endless respect. Samuel, from Finland.

[@evelskunny1]

BluWarta92 I didn't get into the cure,the smiths,joy division,till I was like 39,cause I hung out with dumb metal heads,best thing I ever did,changed my life ; )

[@evelskunny1]

I just got sick of the solos,and it felt like I was listening to the same album over and over,thats all,

[@DarkturtleX]

BluWarta92 Everybody gets into certain stuffs at a certain age. I got into Killing Joke and The Cure when I used to be 13 and now im 18.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

+BluWarta92 I bet you would like the Cult, similar history. I was there back in the day and somehow missed Killing Joke in America. Loving them now tho.

[@GEricG]

@@evelskunny1 I think that with every scene, you get derivative bands.

[@Emulous79]

Jaz's voice I could listen to for ages. Soothing.

[@rockinbiff]

JD & KJ were two of my favorite bands at the time & still are. if only Ian had today's treatment for epilepsy, he would be alive. Imagine the amazing music they had yet to play. Aside from Ian, Hooky was the absolute standout of JD. You & Geordie were my favorites in KJ. Thank you, Jazz for your insights. Please consider doing more recording or live performances with Hooky.

[@ramund001]

best killing joke gig i went to was hammersmith palais 1984 july 31st sunday travlled from swansea dropped two tabs of acid two hours before gig fucking fantastic piccadilly after gig one oclock in morning was like being on another planet bumped into charlie harper from uk subs in some subway tunnel with a girl he looked a bit nervous when he saw us fucking walked around all night till first bus back to hell in the morning come down all the way back on the worst bus ever( the comedown acid bus ha ha ) FUCKING BRILLIANT!

[@Bansidhe]

Would love to hear the so called "Killing Division" recordings. Geordie's guitar mixed with Hooky's bass is hugely intruguing. Also, top marks on the Cardiacs picture!

[@keyboardcorrector2340]

Me as well.

[@PhantomSnake84]

March 2021

[@sonder152]

April 2022

[@nalba6539]

February 2023, man

[@waltersmetak]

I remember going to a KJ gig when in my teens, way back in the mid 80s (84 or 85) - one of the loudest I've ever heard - my ear is still ringing to this day.....

[@soloagent47]

Jaz thank you. Great track. Great band you have. Classic from the 80's and even now. Hope you come to the USA and to the South. Will travel to see you. Thanks for the music.

[@fabiandee8178]

Well to say that Joy Division didn't really work live is rather odd. I guess everyone is entitled to his own opinion. I think Jaz was looking at it from a rocknroll/physical punk experience perspective when JD live would only ever seem hollow. However, I must say that live recordings of JD are overall far more intense and harder than the studio recordings which are overproduced for the large part. Ian was borderline mumbling on studio demos and never really let it rip on the official releases whereas live he really came alive. It's a much more emotional experience, and I don't personally think there's anything 'less' for doing that live.

[@lebheidenstrm5392]

+Fabian Dee Jaz Coleman has an opinion for us all whether we like it or not! :OD

[@hunterj796]

Jaz Coleman. Hey thank you so much for that fascinating insight. Listening to you speak like that after hearing some of your tracks so many times along with my favorite Joy Division. It gave me the truth of the connection I always felt was there yet not really aware of. The connection between Joy Division and Killing Joke. So much I was unaware of back then in my younger days. And am learning of these amazing details now 30 years later which I have been putting effort into learning more of since after I watch the doc movie. Control. And every time I would listen to some of the Joy Division I either have on vinyl or youtube. Requiem and War Dance always preceded or followed. I am going to now be putting more of my time into listing to more of the things you have to say. Your Killing Joke Interview pt1 came on my youtube playlist by chance. I sure am glad I listened to it and am now aware of it. Cheers mate, You are so cool. And Ian Curtis. Without being aware. I listened to Closer about a thousand times that year. All of it. Dave Jackson.

[@ErikWouda]

I wonder how you managed to not hear and feel their similarity in vibe, emotion and such. JD and KJ are different beasts, yet to me they were (are) kindred spirits.

[@cavepainter2722]

@@ErikWouda I believe he is saying that he very much felt & heard a connection, but was unaware that such a connection existed due to there being a very real connection between the bands/members themselves.

[@ErikWouda]

@@cavepainter2722 Tnx for clarifying.

[@krisscanlon1265]

Martin hannett and strawberry studios you cannot discount his abilities to work with that band. It is very similar to the sounds Paul Rothchild and Bruce botnick got out of the doors. Murky ethereal spare and very gloomy.

[@cinjonsmythe6318]

Tony Wilson always said Hannett was a genius. I know he was a pretentious twat, but he knew musical genius when he saw it

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Most beautiful version of control I ever heard

[@eddbass1]

Worked with youth, got into killing joke after that...jeeeesus...what a band and jaz our mother godiva broke the mould as she only knew this incarnation for you was only for you. Me as a bass player ive always been in the engine room too busy being disciplined locking into the bass drum...your the first real band i took any notice of your words...was a revelation...during covid lock down i sent youth a mesage saying my god jaz wrote about all of this 20 years ago...the great cull....only some select few of us knew...you had the platform and called it out. Thankyou.

[@stevenknight8445]

Jaz Coleman you are so honest and origanal thanks for the gigs I saw killing joke in the early days between 1980 1982 and a couple off years ago the history off killing joke is continuing long may killing joke reign peace

[@silversurfer8212]

Jaz Coleman.. Legend.

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

Nice memories. When Gods walked the earth - to have seen them during their prime.

[@simonbondsfield4249]

Have seen both bands. JD just the once, April 1980. They only did another 6 afterwards before Ian died. Such a huge, huge loss to music

[@lakmeister]

Killing Joke were awesomel....still listen to them aswell...those were definitely the days!!!

[@samanthalewin4397]

lakmeister Were???? Don't you mean ARE? Thry are still oit there. They are touring as I write.

[@UberSynth]

Jaz Coleman is like a cross between Alice Cooper, Lemmy and a dash of unicorn 🦄

[@TheMod68]

Saw u Toronto Canada three times....from the eighties onwards. amazing everytime. intimate gigs.... pls come back.. we love you and KJ here.. Your activism and knowledge is needed everywhere>>>> more than ever .. keep lighting the candle for the next generation. Cheers Jaz

[@unstoppableExodia]

he looks a bit like Alice Cooper

[@devildawn914]

So he's got way more testosterone his jawline in f****** Alice Cooper Minnie mouse Cooper on steroids

[@Ojoe2010]

One of my heroes :)

[@keogh1969]

Find someone worthy.

[@KorgKapperi]

berlin perfect place perfect time... too bad i blew it went to london and amsterdam ;(

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

quit bragging

[@MrInterestingthings]

So amazing to hear Chaz talk about the " quiet' surrounding JDiv. They seem powerful ive heard live, seen films and heard all the records .Surprise the audience "didn't move " Now KillingJ 's power cant be stopped !

[@jpgduff]

Jaz*

[@stevewilson9479]

Wow..Jaz seems so grounded & intellectual tbh! totally different when he's on stage with KILLING JOKE..maybe his alter ego??

[@creekandseminole]

Yeah. On stage persona because he has to become the music. It's not really the most joyful music out there, so he has to really work hard to portray the content with honesty

[@Reprodestruxion]

Would love to bear the jaz hooky collab

[@honourethefire5794]

saw Joy Division few times first in 1979 supporting Buzzcocks & three times Febuary 1980 with Killing Joke(gigs shown London etc) who hooked me for life from those gig's.

[@leonardocarneiro9520]

At the Lyceum?

[@honourethefire5794]

@@leonardocarneiro9520 1st London uni February 1980 & yes the Lyceum album release gig.

[@wanneske1969]

Lucky you ! And was Jaz right, were they no good live ? I'm too young to have seen them live but I know two people who did. One guy said JD were intense, the other one said the gig was short and chaotic

[@demo3456]

KJ and JD what a beautiful night that must of been.

[@MrStu1966]

Fantastic video - good job man.

[@evelskunny1]

joy division,is on a level,beyond most!

[@chuckselvage3157]

KJ and JD on the one bill. Wow.

[@lotofagiaverboycarne]

SORRY IF SOMEONE GET ANGRY, BUT WHEN ARE GOING TO BE TOGETHER TWO GREAT BANDS LIKE KILLING JOKE AND JOY DIVISION AGAIN? THEY ARE FOREVER lml

[@alisondilnutt5200]

I was 14 seeing you, you gorg 80s self at Canterbury. Loved you. Your music is what I wanted - medolic and sad. x

[@LaughingChrisVids]

outfuckingstanding!

[@DondeArandas]

Youre awesome, mate! Huge fan fr America, since the 80's

[@sidfletcher4955]

Joy Division were stunning live. Literally. The frenzy was just building as they finished.

[@Epitaphforyesterday]

thank you! i would love to hear the rest of this broadcast. jaz could probably read the phonebook and it'd be interesting.

[@anneknowles1078]

Jaz ..just marry me and make me Happy!!! Lallaa Anne Knowles - FLa USA

[@ianbruce892]

These 2 bands had such a huge impact on music!!!😎🤩🤘🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶🖤

[@kosovoblues5019]

At 1:27 why put a photograph of that f'ckin' movie when he's talking about the real thing

[@RaBob]

Because it's not a photo still from any fictional movie. It's a real photo of Rob Gretton kicking the real Ian Curtis at 1:27. (minus Hooky, I might add) But glad you watched the images so closely.

[@tonybigalow3236]

Killing the division is a joy, no joke

[@jimaginata]

Nice to see that Jaz, like me, prefers the 12" version. It pisses all over album version in my considered opinion :)

[@javiergodoy1615]

joy division una banda brutal y yo casa junto a killing joke fuerte una luz en orizonte las lagrimas separan las penas ...

[@chrishorgan5860]

Got to love this age I saw joy division in 79 saw kj in 85 Now its all there for me Anyone remember fanzines

[@lakmeister]

Have to agree,don't look the best to veiw,but awesome to listen to on record or CD...maybe coz the band didn't realise Ian was a genius...but just one of the lads to them?

[@ELEMENTALMUZ]

Omg thank you so much for this video! 2 of my favorites Joy Division and Killing Joke! Coming at a time always mourning Ian Curtis's death in May 1980. Blown away to learn KJ opened for Joy Division and now I can see JDs lasting impact on Killing Joke!

[@mattdeadbeat]

Where can I find that photo of ian n jaz ?

[@WEF-APOPHIS-2029]

I'm In love All over AGaiN

[@WEF-APOPHIS-2029]

What a Wonderful Pod Cast,,,, >>>>x

[@thomasdugers10]

I am not a fan of Killing Joke but I definitely like Jaz. We used to live in the same city some years ago, and we used to spend a lot of time in the same pub. I must have seen him 50 times before being told who he was, did not believe it until I checked on the Web. He's really nice, laid-down and polite, just like on the video, not the usual rockstar thinking he's a genius. Carry on Jaz and don't ever change!!!

[@keogh1969]

Lennon was a genius- this tube is not

[@royalnass1029]

how can you come on here and not be a fan of killing joke. your a lame man stop your bullshit

[@thomasdugers10]

Because I love Joy Division. Otherwise no bullshit, and if somebody here is a lame man, it's you!

[@jamesroach1180]

@@keogh1969 Lennon was a junkie a beater and a stupid boy in the dark with a daisy in a shotgun barrel

[@seansoblixe9711]

good to see PIL brand as influence. Luv KILLING JOKE

[@soundbeings1]

Great stuff - legendary !

[@martinbergbartok]

thanks!

[@davideveson3041]

Geordie got me stoned at bham academy.

[@grimhorgh76]

Can these Fleischspiel recordings be found anywhere? I am VERY curious to hear what Peter Hook + Jazz and Geordie sounded like!

[@elspurso]

Went to that Lyceum gig.

[@VincentRE79]

Those Lyceum Sunday night gigs were great.

[@bifftetherton7495]

What a fuckin pairing Joy Division and Killing Joke

[@ramund001]

ian curtiss wrote "shes lost control" about a girl he had to help with the job he had and she commited suicide

[@LastBankJob]

You should go listen to the whole show just for the Mentors story. I wasn't expecting that. Thanks for the laugh Jaz!

[@_MANASYt]

Love KJ, never got Joy Division. I have tried, they do nothing for me 😑

[@keogh1969]

Listen to Crowded House. A band who were huge from New Zealand. Jaz lives there now.

[@aaronquy1968]

Those who saw that tour can all die a happy person, cuz I know I totally would! :)

[@samanthalewin4397]

Ohhh...me and Jaz both like Joy Division.

[@kevcatnip7589]

marry him

[@MrDoremouse]

Northern gloom versus southern stomp ? Eeeh-up, it's grim oop north !

[@kevinsimpson7480]

The audience didn't move...

[@martinchandler9205]

Thank you John Peel.

[@dibsmm9888]

Love like blood

[@ast3663]

great. thanks for that.

[@GriefTourist]

as a big fan of joy division i always thought she's lost control was not one of their better songs, it's probably a minority opinion

[@minnietheminx]

I took that pic at 3.58

[@aaronquy1968]

What an amazing concert that would have been!!!

[@mysterywhylay]

just amazing

[@3rdeye399]

lets cut the cr@p..what I want to know is .. are you for the New World Disorder or against. I have noticed all the symbols and prophesies of Doom from many bands and going back to the seventies but Killing Joke is the leader of the pack. I love you music and have a few of you CD's. If you were truly a rebellious band of the system then you would at least drop some subtle hints ... not that many of your fans would even know what you are talking about for the great majority of the masses are programmable ROM's. In my opinion you have sold your souls, are manic preachers for the New Order ( notice the link to Joy Division). I look at patterns and the Names of Bands and their subject matter are not coincidental they have reason and through specific knowledge, and the symbolism is all connected too. It is evident to me that you are all part of the Cult and are beckoning it forward but do you really know its full Agenda and that you and your generations of Family may pay a price and are being used to an End.

[@sblanc9171]

Fucks sake Jaz ... what's with the miming the thoughts shit? hahaha ...

[@javiergodoy1615]

joy division tocAba junto a la banda killing joke mortal fuerte una luz en el orizonte

[@whatamalike]

Believe me, Northern stomp exists too. dunno about southern gloom though, too busy spending a billion pounds a month on a shoebox flat shared with carl barat ;)

[@duantorruellas716]

Talk about one hell of a double bill , those shows must have been sick. I was ten years old then so I didn't have the pleasure but I know it must have been pure madness.

[@richardblais5232]

agreed ... however there are a couple of live versions of SLC, one in particular on the "Here are the Young Men" video compilation that is fantastic. Ian seems to be having one of his fits, and Albrecht riffs are great to watch and hear ...

[@RUDI-UK]

Curtis' out of time delivery on the 12" single puts me right off it. Much prefer the album version.

[@thomasley4006]

So, he tells the whole thing, then acts like telling it - without moving his lips. Quintessential Jaz.

[@maddyboombaddybaddy6532]

Say man, do you know who or wtf the big hall shadow walker is? How is Angelic ?

[@keyboardcorrector2340]

Good interview, and fantastic "Killing Division" mix near the end.

[@LaughingChrisVids]

and I don't know why I'm laughingchrisvids, I didn't do that! this is ammazing Ron, truly amazing

[@ColinNew-pf5ix]

Is Jaz Jewish?

[@madduckmc]

No

[@intrepidelica7059]

Hook and the Light have been rocking the house...

[@cherylchaison5085]

Killing joke and joy division is incredible bands I've been listening since eighty

[@tankthelord1178]

Thanks for your stuff Jaz. Ahhh the good old days!

[@alain.preudhomme]

could be true, this is not the point, we're all humans...

[@genrykomi4327]

Severus Snape alive!💪👍

[@hufkjmfvsvervevjefnv]

cono zizi aeraso!! joy division no hoogae suuvaereassy!!!

[@keithrobertson5110]

Anyone know which band is that photo at the start witch 2 pipers.

[@RaBob]

Yes, that's The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Photo from early 1970s... like this "FRAMED" video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4PFl3mQo6-Nj7M

[@keithrobertson5110]

@@RaBob well done thank you it's been bugging me all day.

[@chelseaacidcasual2825]

Two great bands....sad I missed out on seeing them live.

[@devildawn914]

Jazz you are The godfather the frontman for the bandit ushered in the age of industrialization metronomes music Doom and gloom you made your riches I'm speaking out against dark forces without fear of reprisal refrigeration overattribution if honesty is your excuse well guess what you don't need one you're brilliant The madness of Neuroscience shines brighter than a thousand suns something new what's old is New again jazz by the way got a quarter start of your daughter

[@marleypumpkin4917]

You need lessons in spelling and grammar and punctuation.

[@chainsawmax]

this is really really cool Ra! amazing stuff!

[@WarrenCromartie2]

Very interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[@silversurfer8212]

Both bands from a great chapter in rock/pop history.

[@PeterWesleyBastone]

TY

[@yallowrosa]

JD were much more clever than KJ

[@MontyCantsin5]

Not really.

[@LauroCesarius]

Duas bandas fodas !