Joy Division Closer & Shows # 840, 839, 838, 837

Released on July 18th, 1980 on Factory Records, Closer was Joy Division’s second and final studio album. The album was released two months after the death of lead singer Ian Curtis. A darker tone surrounds this album and the passing of Curtis only added to this element of the music. The album features a mixture of more guitar oriented songs and more of a synthesized electronic form of music. It is this combination of the experimental and the noisier guitar based tracks that create a certain type of dichotomy in the music. This when combined with the lyrics of Ian Curtis, which depict torment and the dealing with different paradigms such as alienation, loneliness, and materiality that create something different than its predecessor, Unknown Pleasures. 

“Atrocity Exhibition” starts of with a rotating drum pattern, before bass and experimental, noisy guitar builds up momentum. On this track bassist Peter Hook and guitarist Bernard Sumner switched instruments, giving it an unnerving, unpredictable edge. The song’s title comes from author J.G. Ballard, a lyrical influence of Curtis. With lyrics such “Asylums with doors open wide/Where people had paid to see inside/For entertainment they watch his body twist/Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist”, Curtis draws influence from his own personal struggles and distills it emphasizing the fascination of being entertained by something atrocious. “Isolation” begins with a very distinct electronic drum sound and springy sounding bassline as icy synthesizers float in. Lyrically, Curtis sounds as if he’s singing in a cavernous hall, it is also somewhat digital, which gives the song a certain aesthetic that fits its mood. This song displays a sense of melancholy as it addresses loneliness, anxiety and alienation. Comparisons have also been drawn to themes found in Dostoevsky’s The Idiot to this song. “Passover” features more moody, jagged guitar work from Bernard Sumner, mixed with the metronome-like drumming of Stephen Morris and idiosyncratic bass parts from Hook. Lyrically it takes on multiple meanings showcasing a positive and negative ambiguity. “Colony” draws on the influence of Franz Kafka lyrically with dark lyrics, while musically the song moves with tense rhythm with heavy bass, erratic guitar and meticulous drumbeats. 

“Heart And Soul” jumps more into the experimental side of Closer. With lyrics such as “Existence well what does it matter?/I exist on the best terms I can/The past is now part of my future/The present is well out of hand”, Curtis emphasizes existential themes, while also drawing on themes of hopelessness and frustration. Musically, the pulsating basslines build pressure underneath the drums and guitar. “24 Hours” contrasts haunting, dark lyrics with more upbeat music. The six string bass playing on Peter Hook on this track really adds to the song when combined with the drum and guitar elements. “The Eternal” starts off with intense train noises, before piano, bass, and echoing drumbeats take over. The lyrics are chilling as they depict an almost spectral mood. “Decades” ends Closer. Musically, shades of David Bowie’s Low show as an influence, but Joy Division make this song their own. The song clocks in at over six minutes and looms with creeping synthesizers, subtle, yet driving basslines that lock in with the drums in a locomotive-like way. Atop all of this are Ian Curtis’ vocals, which express a multitude of emotional turmoil. 

With Closer, Joy Division released what many feel is their masterpiece. The music and experimentation when combined with the production qualities and techniques of Martin Hannett painted broad strokes with Joy Division's sound. Recorded Britannia Row studios in Islington, Joy Division found themselves in a more conventional studio space. And space was something that they had. The space that is found on this record is often breathtaking. With Closer, Joy Division created a darker atmosphere with their sound, often exploring multi-layered sonic textures that had not been explored before. The icy, cavernous feeling is present throughout this album whether it is the music, the lyrics or both. Closer would pave the way for future musical landscapes from bands such as The Cure, U2, Bauhaus, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and the genre that was to become goth rock. While many view the album as exploring a world of darkness, that’s not all that it does. It searches for hope, love and rebirth. It is something you have to experience and can pull different meanings from.  Closer has its own mystique that draws in its listeners.  

Show 840 (Originally Aired On August 1st, 2020)(Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac), Bruce Springsteen, Dog Day, Teenanger):  

1.  Enchanters - High Heel Roller Skates

2.  Leather Uppers - Hot Shot 

3.  The Mumps - Crocodile Tears 

4.  The Marbles - Computer Cards 

5.  Gary Valentine - The First One 

6.  Fleetwood Mac - The Green Manalishi (With Two Prongs) 

7.  Les Hays Babies - Almost Minuit 

8.  Holy Fuck - Saint Sebastian 

9.  Dehd - No Time 

10.  Special Interest - Homogenized Milk 

11.  Reverb Ranch - Theme From El Camino De Los Muertos 

12.  Sandford Clark - They Call Me Country 

13.  Fiver - Why Do I Have To Choose 

14.  Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Quick Trick 

15.  Grant Green - No. 1 Green Street

16.  Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City 

17.  Bruce Springsteen - Hello Sunshine 

18.  The Lost Dakotas - To Love Someone 

19.  The Sadies - It's Nothing To Me 

20.  Dog Day - Trouble 

21.  Coriky - Hard To Explain 

22.  Thee Dirty Rats - Universe Is Chaos 

23.  Penny Diving - Nineteen 

24.  Shadow Show - Trapeze Act 

25.  Peach Kelli Pop - Don't Push Me 

26.  The Amps - Pacer 

27.  Skating Polly - Camelot 

28.  Sonic Youth - Bull In The Heather 

29.  Teenanger - Touching Glass 

30.  Teenanger - Fun Forgot

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the August 1 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 839 (Originally Aired On July 25th, 2020)(The OBGMs, Jarv Is..., METZ, Protomartyr):

1.  John Zorn - Milano Odeo 

2.  Dead Kennedys - Chickenfarm 

3.  Jesse Jam and the Flams - I'm Drawing A Blank 

4.  SNFU - Money Matters 

5.  The OBGMs - Not Again 

6.  Au Pairs - You 

7.  Favours - Memories 

8.  The Vacant Lots - Station

9.  The Strokes - The Adults Are Talking 

10.  Pottery - Under The Wires 

11.  Jarv Is… - Save The Whale 

12.  Touching - Oh General 

13.  Mother Sun - Pizza For Days 

14.  Priests - Texas Instruments 

15.  Jeffery Lee Pierce - Wildweed 

16.  The Unrelated Segments - Where You Gonna Go 

17.  Neil Young - Love Is A Rose 

18.  Joel Plaskett - West Cork Blended Irish Whiskey 

19.  Bloodshot Bill - Butcher Shop Boys (W/Butcher Bros) 

20.  White Fence - Beat 

21.  Cathedrale - Gold Rush 

22.  Holy Wave - I'm Not Living In The Past Anymore 

23.  Crack Cloud - Ouster Stew 

24.  Venus Furs - Paranoia 

25.  METZ - A Boat To Drown In 

26.  Rough Francis - Waxed Curb 

27.  Protomartyr - I Am You Now 

28.  Protomartyr - Modern Business Hymns

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the July 25 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 838 (Originally Aired On July 18th, 2020) (Joy Division Closer (40th Anniversary), Kestrels, Mark Sultan, Guided By Voices):

1. The Chats - Pub Feed
2. The Mark Vodka Group - Big Time Rocker
3. Paint Thinner - Touch In Arm's Reach
4. Thibault - Drama
5. Butthole Surfers - TV Star
6. Joy Division - Atrocity Exhibition
7. Joy Division - Isolation (Live at High Wycombe Town Hall, 20th February 1980)
8. Joy Division - Passover (University of London Union, 8 February 1980)
9. Joy Division - Colony (Peel Sessions 1979)
10. Joy Division - A Means To An End
11. Joy Division - Heart and Soul (Live at Lyceum Theatre Feb 29 1980)
12. Joy Division - Twenty Four Hours (Peel Sessions 1979)
13. Joy Division - The Eternal
14. Joy Division - Decades
15. Kestrels - Vanishing Point
16. Zoon - BrokenHead
17. Sahara - Indoor Pool
18. Glutenhead - It's Not Really A Problem
19. The Jerry Cans - On The Rocks
20. Mark Sultan - Two Left Feet
21. Mark Sultan - I'll Be Loving You
22. Bloodshot Bill - The Message
23. Mick Futures - What You Wanna Say Now
24. Kinetic Ideals - This Face
25. Guided By Voices - Haircut Sphinx
26. Guided By Voices - Man Called Blunder

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the July 18 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 837 (Originally Aired On July 11th, 2020)(Ennio Morricone, Coriky, Trout, L-Seven):

1. Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Main Title)
2. Ennio Morricone - Il Giardino Delle Delizie
3. Ennio Morricone - Driving Decoys
4. Ennio Morricone - Indagine Su Un Cittadino Al Di Sopra Di Ogni Sospetto (Main Title)
5. Ennio Morricone - Desolation (Main Theme)
6. Coriky - Shedileebop
7. Coriky - Too Many Husbands
8. Dead Ghosts - Freak
9. Trout - Scaredy Cat
10. The Famines - The State Of Music
11. Saba Lou - She Is The Keeper Of My Soul
12. The Phantom Keys - In The Summertime
13. Johnny Kidd & The Pirates - Casting My Spell
14. Dog Day - Hell On Earth
15. Not You - Mable
16. Trout - New Space
17. Neil Young - Homegrown
18. Drive By Truckers - Slow Ride Argument
19. Cass McCombs - Crick In My Neck
20. Evening Hymns - Heavy Nights
21. No Age - Sandalwood
22. Sarcasm - Drainpipe
23. L-Seven - Flower of Romance
24. Tommy and The Commies - Hurtin' 4 Certain
25. Jon McKiel - Management
26. Pottery - What's In Fashin?
27. Animal Collective - Slippi
28. Special Interest - Don't Kiss Me In Public
29. Girl Band - Going Norway
30. Pottery - Bobby's Forecast
31. Fontaines D.C. - Televised Mind

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the July 11 file to download/stream the episode.

Guided By Voices, Nirvana and Joy Division & Shows # 778, 779, 780, 781

In the month of June Revolution Rock celebrated the 25th anniversary of Guided By Voices Bee Thousand album, the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's Bleach and the 40th anniversary of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures. Find playlists and download links below this post featuring a bit of info on each of these albums.

Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand (1994)

Guided By Voices Bee Thousand was originally released on June 21st, 1994. At the time, GBV had already released several albums and Bee Thousand would be their seventh album. Prior to this, all of the band’s albums had been recorded in studios. Bee Thousand would be different. Instead of recording the album in a studio, GBV recorded this album on a variety of four track recorders in different garages and basements of the various band members. The results were very lo-fi, a lot of the recording sounds like it could be from an old bootleg. This was part of band leader Robert Pollard’s intention. He stated that he wanted the album to resemble Beatles bootlegs. Musically, the songs draw on British invasion rock, punk rock, pop, psychedelic and progressive rock influences. The majority of the music found on Bee Thousand was made up of overdubbed, re-edited versions of older, unused material by the band. Lyrically, the songs featured words that have drawn comparison to the cut-up technique that was once used by writer William Burroughs. The songs would draw on many themes that seemed fantastical, but due to the lyrical technique of Pollard, they are layered with many different potential meanings.

At this point in time Guided By Voices was more of loose collective of musicians. Pollard has stated that the band during this period was made up of whatever friends were available to play. In addition to the music created by Robert Pollard, there are also the songs written by Tobin Sprout, who would be part of the GBV classic lineup from 1987-1997 and again from 2010-2014. Songs such as “Awful Bliss”, “Mincer Ray”, Ester’s Day” and “Hot Freaks” all add to the uniqueness of this album and when combined with the other songs such as “I Am A Scientist”, “Hardcore UFO’s” and “Gold Star For Robot Boy” create something unpredictable and spontaneous. Originally Bee Thousand was going to be the last album for Guided By Voices, due to pressure to focus on Pollard’s teaching career and family, in addition to the financial issues that arose with being in a band. However, Bee Thousand pulled Guided By Voices out of obscurity and turned out to be a new beginning for the band.

Nirvana - Bleach (1989)

Originally released on June 15th, 1989 on Sub Pop Records, Bleach was the debut album by Nirvana. The album featured a heavier, grungier sound, as opposed to Nirvana’s Nevermind and In Utero albums. When Bleach was released it only featured eleven songs. It wasn’t until after Nirvana released Nevermind that Bleach would be re-released with two additional tracks. It would chart at number 89 on the Billboard 200 upon the re-release in 1992. The music on Bleach reflected the Seattle music scene at the time blending elements of punk, metal and classic rock.

Nirvana recorded Bleach with Jack Endino at Reciprocal Studios in sessions that took place between December 1988 and January 1989. Before Dave Grohl joined Nirvana as their drummer, the band went through a series of drummers. Prior to being called Nirvana, they went by several different band names and Aaron Burckhard played drums with them. He quit the band in December of 1987. In January 1988, Kurt Cobain asked Dale Crover (of The Melvins) to record a demo session with Nirvana so that it could help them find a new drummer. The band recorded ten songs on January 23rd, 1988, including vocal overdubs and had a rough mix of the songs done in roughly six hours. Dale Crover is featured on three songs on Bleach “Paper Cuts”, “Floyd The Barber” and “Downer” that originate from this session. Most of the others that he recorded during this session would be spread out over other releases such as 1992’s Incesticide and the 2004 box set With The Lights Out. Chad Channing joined Nirvana in 1988 and shortly after joining recorded the Love Buzz single with them. Other than the three noted songs, Channing is featured on the remainder of the songs on Bleach.

Lyrically, the songs on Bleach have a bleak and claustrophobic outlook. Cobain has said that most of the lyrics are about his life in Aberdeen. “Negative Creep” is one of the many tracks with heavy guitar riffs, “School” was said to be a critique of the Seattle music scene, and “Mr. Moustache” was inspired by Cobain’s dislike of macho behaviour. In addition to the heaviness found on Bleach, the song “About A Girl” shows the pop abilities of Kurt Cobain. This song has been described as a “Jangly R.E.M. type of pop song”, but also one influenced heavily by The Beatles. It stands out on Bleach, but also shows that Kurt Cobain and Nirvana were more than just another band in the Seattle music scene.

Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)

On June 15th, 1979, Manchester band Joy Division released their debut album Unknown Pleasures on Factory Records. A high-water mark of postpunk music, this atmospheric release from the Manchester quartet made a significant impact in the realm of independent music. Before recording Unknown Pleasures, Joy Division was known as Warsaw. They signed a recording contract with RCA Records in 1977 and recorded demos for the label, however, they were unhappy with the results. The recordings were eventually released as Warsaw. Before that happened however, four of the songs from the RCA sessions were selected and self-released by Joy Division on their own Enigma label as An Ideal For Living. Heavily influenced by bands such as Sex Pistols and Buzzcocks, this EP reflected the band’s early punk sound. It was also around this time that Joy Division’s manager Rob Gretton convinced the band to sign to the label Factory Records. They signed to Factory Records in 1978 with Martin Hannett in the producer seat for their first album.

The recording of Unknown Pleasures took place at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, England over three weekends in April of 1979. Martin Hannett, who had produced the first Buzzcocks EP Spiral Scratch as Martin Zero took Joy Division’s punk sound and added his sense of experimentation to it. Hannett added space and atmosphere to Joy Division’s sound, which when combined with the music of Joy Division and the lyrics of Ian Curtis created a world of mystery and darker textures to the Unknown Pleasures landscape. Unusual production techniques were employed by Hannett such as using the sound of a toilet, breaking glass, someone eating crisps (played backwards), in addition to the use of tape echo, digital delay (on the drums) and time modulators. Ian Curtis’ vocals for the song “Insight” were also recorded from a telephone line.

The music while punk based was different. It would be known as post-punk. The basslines played by Peter Hook were played in higher registers, in a way that had not been done before. The baritone vocals by Curtis combined with minimalist guitar by Bernard Sumner and the manic, precise drumming of Stephen Morris created something unique. The lyrics of Curtis influenced by writers such as J.G. Ballard, William Burroughs, and Gogol, touched on many topics that weren’t being addressed at the time and that people still identify with today. Although the band were initially displeased with the sound of Unknown Pleasures, the album has had a long lasting legacy. Hundreds of musicians would claim influence from this album, ranging from rock acts like U2 and The Cure, to hip-hop artists like Danny Brown and Vince Staples. Its influence does not stop at music. It has also inspired books, film and even graphic design. Unknown Pleasures is an album that has been written about many times. There is something different for the listener to discover when listening to it. Whether it is the darker themes addressing depression, existentialism, the sense of alienation that people identify with or the other themes that run through this album, Unknown Pleasures creates an air of mystery that is not easily defined. It is one that keeps people returning to it and will do so for a long time to come.

Show 781 (Originally Aired On June 29th, 2019)(Guided By Voices Bee Thousand - 25th Anniversary):

1. Guided by Voices - Hardcore UFO's (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
2. Guided by Voices - Buzzards and Dreadful Crows (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
3. Guided by Voices - Hot Freaks (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
4. Guided by Voices - Smothered in Hugs (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
5. Necking - Spare Me
6. Feels - Awful Need
7. Sebadoh - Vacation
8. Kiwi Jr. - Wicked Witches
9. Dumb - Columbo
10. Guided by Voices - Yours to Keep (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
11. Guided by Voices - Echos Myron (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
12. Guided by Voices - Gold Star for Robot Boy (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
13. Guided by Voices - Mincer Ray (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
14. Guided by Voices - A Big Fan of the Pigpen (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
15. The Electric Cows - Shattered Glass
16. Vondells - Snakes Eyes
17. The Mighty Swells - Runaway
18. West Ends - Belle v. Sebastian
19. Guided by Voices - Her Psychology Today (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
20. Guided by Voices - Kicker of Elves (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
21. Guided by Voices - Demons Are Real (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
22. The Oh Sees - The Great Crush
23. The Oh Sees - Ghost in the Trees
24. Little Girls - Delaware
25. Pottery - The Craft
26. Kim Gray - Hand in Glove
27. The Flowers of Hell - Destroying Angel
28. Guided by Voices - Queen of Cans and Jars (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
29. Guided by Voices - You're Not an Airplane (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
30. 3ft - 21st Century Drone
31. Cosmonauts - Medio Litro
32. Cate Le Bon - You Don't Love Me
33. Guided by Voices - I Am a Scientist (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 29.

Show 780 (Originally Aired On June 22nd, 2019)(Nirvana Bleach - 30th Anniversary):

1. Nirvana - Floyd the Barber (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
2. Nirvana - School (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
3. Ty Segall - I Worship the Dog
4. Titus Andronicus - (I Blame) Society
5. Lungbutter - HONEY
6. Jinns - Death Wish
7. LTD - Get Them Talkin'
8. Fecal Matter - Downer (Illiteracy Will Prevail - 1985)
9. Nirvana - Spank Thru (1988 Dale Crover Demo)
10. Nirvana - Tolken Eastern Song )With The Lights Out - 2004)
11. Drive Like Jehu - Human Interest
12. Fontaines D.C. - Chequeless Reckless
13. Salt Horse - Weekend Medicine
14. The Space Plan - Trail the Rails
15. Atomic 7 - Skynrd
16. Rodriguez - I Wonder
17. Nirvana - About a Girl (Live) (Bleach: 20th Anniversary Edition - Sub Pop - 2009)
18. Nirvana - Love Buzz (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
19. Nirvana - Papercuts (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
20. Mudhoney - Blinding Sun
21. Lubriated Goat - He Moves in Mysterious Ways
22. Bad Hoo - Confuse Bouche
23. Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds - No Control
24. Foxhart Fishman - Ramblin' Dan's Righteous Manefesto
25. No Museums - Fangs That Once Were Teeth
26. Smokey and the Feelings - Fields of the Bored
27. Sturgill Simpson - The Dead Don't Die
28. Nirvana - Blew (live) (Bleach: 20th Anniversary Edition - Sub Pop - 2009)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 22.

Show 779 (Originally Aired June 15th, 2019)(Joy Division Unknown Pleasures - 40th Anniversary):

1. Joy Division - Exercise One (BBC Session 1979)
2. Queen's Rug - Untitled Demo
3. The Organ Fire - In The Ocean
4. Blue Peter - Radio Silence
5. Dumb - Some Big Motor Dream
6. Joy Division - Living in the Ice Age (Warsaw Demo)
7. Joy Division - Disorder (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
8. Joy Division - Day of the Lords (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
9. Joy Division - Candidate (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
10. Joy Division - Insight (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
11. Joy Division - New Dawn Fades ((Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
12. Joy Division - She's Lost Control (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
13. Joy Division - Shadowplay (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
14. Joy Division - Wilderness (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
15. Joy Division - Interzone (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
16. Joy Division - I Remember Nothing (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
17. Teenanger - It Works with my Body
18. Psychic Void - Gutter Butter
19. Leather Uppers - Slow Puke
20. Pretty Matty - Kicked Out
21. Odonis Odonis - Hollandaze
22. Protomartyr - Ypsilanti
23. Walrus - Fur Skin Coat
24. The Prefects - Faults
25. The Nightingales - Idiot Strength
26. Controller.Controller - PF
27. Joy Division - Transmission (Live) (Les Bains Douches 1979)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 15.

Show 778 (Originally Aired On June 8th, 2019)(Dr. John, 13th Floor Elevators & Roky Erickson):

1. Dr. John - Right Place, Wrong Time
2. Dr. John - Jump Sturdy
3. Dr. John - Ice Age
4. Dr. John - Gut Bucket Blues
5. Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio - Al Greenery
6. Charles Bradley - You Think I Don't Know But I Know
7. Mark Sultan - The Other Two
8. Reigning Sound - What Did I Tell You
9. Kim Gray - Eugene Vampire
10. Constantines - National Hum
11. Women - Robert Starratt (Locust Valley) (CBC Radio 3 Session)
12. The Jam - Down in the Tube Station at Midnight
13. The Spades - You're Gonna Miss Me
14. The 13th Floor Elevators - Fire Engine
15. The 13th Floor Elevators - She Lives (In a Time of Her Own)
16. Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Night of the Vampire
17. Roky Erickson & The Black Angels - Thank God For Civilization
18. The Neins Circa - The Astoria Hotel
19. No Aloha - Generational Divide
20. Greys - These Things Happen
21. LTD - Chief Sleeps In The Park
22. Young Canadians - Where are You
23. Pow! - Connecting
24. Nots - Floating Hand
25. Outrageous Cherry - Sign o' the Times
26. Neil Young & Stray Gators - Time Fades Away (Live 1973)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 8.