The Joy Division Experience Trivia Quiz

Answer: Warsaw

They changed their name in 1978, after discovering that another band was using the name "Warsaw Pakt", and thus, Joy Division was born. They released one EP titled "An Ideal for Living" in 1978, which did not feature Curtis's well-known baritone vocals, but rather his more high-pitched natural voice.

Answer: Unknown Pleasures

The album features songs such as "Shadowplay","She's Lost Control", and "Disorder", all of which aided Joy Division in gaining popularity, including their non-album single from the same sessions, "Transmission", which was one of the songs played by the band live on "The Something Else Show" in 1979, which marked their most well-known and only nationwide television appearance.

Answer: A woman suffering from epilepsy

According to frontman Ian Curtis, he knew a young woman his age who suffered from epilepsy like he did, although she suffered seizures far more frequently. Curtis recalled that she was trying to find a job, but her frequent seizures ultimately prevented this. Unfortunately, she died of an epileptic seizure, prompting Curtis to write the song about her.

Answer: Shadowplay

"Shadowplay" appeared on the debut album "Unknown Pleasures". This marked a cross between their post-punk sound and Gothic rock, something that would become more evident with their later work.

Answer: Stephen Morris

Stephen Morris, who had gone to the same school as Curtis, answered an ad the band had put out, and was hired not only for his drumming, but also due to the fact that he was, according to the band, the only one who answered it.

Answer: tear

The single was released in June of 1980, a month after Joy Division disbanded. A play on the phrase "Love Will Keep us Together", Ian Curtis wrote the song about his wife Deborah, whom he married when he was 19 and she was 18. Their relationship was strained for the last year of their marriage, and she even threatened him with divorce.

Answer: Ian Curtis committed suicide

Ian Curtis, plagued by depression, epilepsy, and medications to handle the latter, was dealt a tragic blow when his wife Deborah wanted to file for divorce. On May 18th, 1980, Curtis hanged himself in his home after a very heated argument with her. He was 23 years old.

The other members of Joy Division later stated that they should have seen his death coming, as his lyrics often contained themes of alienation and depression. The phrase "Love Will Tear us Apart" is engraved on his tombstone.

Answer: New Order

Before Joy Division's breakup, the four members agreed that, should any member leave the band for any reason, they would stop using the name. New Order formed in 1980 following the death of Ian Curtis, and as of 2017, they still tour and release music, albeit without original bassist Peter Hook, who left the group in 2007.

Answer: Closer

"Closer", released in July of 1980, contains some of Curtis's darkest lyrics, with the songs stemming more toward a Gothic-rock genre as opposed to the band's original punk style. The band, and their record company Factory, brought up that the front cover depicts a tomb. Pairing that with the recent suicide of Curtis, the band was faced with a dilemma.

After thinking it over, they ultimately stuck with the original cover.

Answer: Control

Starring Sam Riley as Ian Curtis, the film not only focuses on Ian's time with Joy Division, but on his personal life and relationship with his wife. The film was praised by fans, and also by Joy Division's own Peter Hook and Stephen Morris.