A Cover Version Like No Other.

Have a listen to the Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir's version of "Blue Monday" and be prepared to be awed.

The choir, formed in 1964, was commissioned by Festival No.6 to record a version of the song to celebrate New Order (sans Hook) headlining the UK's newest music festival which was held this weekend in North Wales.

Peter Hook Vows To "Fuck New Order Over In Any Possible Way I Can."

 

Calling them "dickheads," Peter Hook has promised that he will "fuck over" his former New Order bandmates in "any possible way" he can.

Hook has reacted to Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner announcing that they will play two benefit shows in October (with Gillian Gilbert returning) to help to pay medical expenses for friend and filmmaker Michael Shamberg.

Hook, who is currently on tour with his band The Light, says that he believes the band's statement that the gigs are one-offs for charity are false, "Yeah. It's all bollocks. They're already hawking for an American tour; me mate told me yesterday. They're hiding behind the charity gig."

Commenting about playing Joy Division songs with The Light, "and thus, in the eyes of his former bandmates and some fans, dishonoring Ian Curtis' legacy," Hook said, "You do it to gauge reaction, and it's like picking a sore, isn't it? You always want to do it. I have a different attitude towards it now, because it actually scared off a lot of the people I wanted to work with, which made me all the more determined. It's the same thing with New Order deciding to tour without me -- [it] makes me all the more determined to fuck New Order over in any possible way I can. If they think I'm just going to scuttle off to a cabin in the woods, they've got another thing coming. They're dickheads. People go and hide, but I don't. I'm a fighter. I'm going to come out fighting."

Photo: Stereoboard.com

Quotes: Spinner.com

Peter Hook To Honor Ian Curtis.

 

With the upcoming 30 year anniversary of the passing of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis on May 18, former bandmate Peter Hook has organized a special concert to honor the icon. 

From the Macclesfield Express: A showcase of tracks by Joy Division and New Order, the hugely exciting show will include a never-released song, penned by Macclesfield-born Curtis. Former Joy Division and New Order bassist Hooky says he's planning to remember the 30th anniversary of Curtis's death with a Joy Division set, including the recently finished track "Pictures," at his new club FAC251 

Peter said: "Everyone's talking about what they're going to do and I think I'm going to be playing some Joy Division songs to celebrate Ian's life on May 18. I mean, we're never going to do it together again, but it just seems right. Especially to do it at the Factory, there's a definite need to celebrate one of the most momentous days of your life." 

Hooky first performed "Pictures" at the launch of the Factory club with a group of musicians playing as The Light. 

He says: "Some kid brought 'Pictures' to my attention on a tape as a little snippet of a jam with Ian Curtis. I was playing on it but it was unfinished. Ian always used to say that once you start a song you should finish it, that really stuck with me and I didn't know how this one fell through the net. We finished 'Pictures' and it was a real joy to play because you were playing the old stuff but at the same time, we'd discovered something totally new. I don't normally sing so it was a bit weird at first." 

Joy Division ended in 1980 following the suicide of their iconic singer, but the three remaining members continued on as New Order until a messy split in 2007. 

Hooky has gone on to a new musical project, Freebass, with ex-Stone Roses star Mani - and last month launched new nightclub The Factory on the site of the former Factory Records offices on Princess Street. 

He says the club has been jam-packed since it opened last month - and he puts the success down to timeless tracks that sing to the new generation. 

He said: "For all us old timers it's nice to bring a bit of our music back. The club's been full since it opened and in a weird way it's like the younger generation have been waiting for it, but it's something we never expected. I did some Joy Division stuff and the young kids were saying how great it was - people our age like me and Mani shouldn't be appealing to young kids but great music is timeless." 

Photo: Martin O'Neill/Retna Pictures via nytimes.com

Happy 25th Birthday Low-Life.

After watching Anton Corbijn's absolutely stunning Control three times over the weekend, the staff at Waist High thought it fitting to mention that it will be 25 years ago in May that Factory Records released New Order's third album Low-Life (FAC 100), the only New Order album to feature members of the band on its cover and the first to be accompanied by singles that were actually taken from an album.

Low-Life was preceded by the release of an 8:46 version of "The Perfect Kiss," (the 4:48 version appears on the album) and a remix of "Sub-culture" was released as a 12" single in November.

Five years after the death of Ian Curtis ended the band's former life as Joy Division (with the addition of Gillian Gilbert on keyboards), New Order broke into the mainstream with Low-Life, and to this writer's ear it was the first set of recordings that were not overshadowed by that atmospheric spaciousness that is so closely associated with producer Martin Hannett. This was a new sound.

Low-Life was ranked #97 by Q magazine in 2000 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever, and is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

The Factory Manchester Opens Tonight.

 

"FAC251 Factory Manchester - The Head office of FACTORY COMMUNICATIONS Ltd, Built by Tony Wilson, Designed by Ben Kelly & Peter Saville, Paid for by New Order, Broken by the Happy Mondays.... " 

The former offices of the great Factory Records reopen tonight as a new club called The Factory: 

All OPENING WEEKEND information can be found here. 

Photo & material: The Factory Manchester

In Memory Of Tony Wilson.

 

CEREMONY - A New Order Tribute, set to be released on what would have been Tony Wilson's 60th birthday, is available on pre-order. 

"The idea for this tribute came about in 2007, when Tony Wilson passed away from cancer. Marshall Dickson, founder of 24 Hour Service Station, was stirred to put together a fitting tribute to his hero. Upon discovery that a charity had been established in Wilson's name to aide children with creative & musical skills, the pieces came together. By late 2008, the project became an international endeavor when Ceremony was helmed by partner Sonshine Ward, who seeked out contributing artists from around the globe that were equally inspired by Wilson and moved by his passing." 

TRACKLISTING for CEREMONY - A New Order Tribute can be found here. 

Photo: 24 Hour Service Station

Ceremony - A New Order Tribute To Benefit Salford Foundation Trust's Tony Wilson Awards.

 

From Slicing Up Eyeballs: Florida-based record label 24 Hour Service Station next month will release a two-disc tribute to New Order, proceeds from which will benefit the Salford Foundation Trust's Tony Wilson Awards, established in memory of the late Factory Records co-founder and Manchester musical icon. 

Due out Feb. 20 - on what would have been Wilson's 60th birthday - the 2 CD version of Ceremony: A New Order Tribute features 33 covers from electronic and indie acts such as Rabbit in the Moon, Detachments and Kites With Lights, as well as a spoken-word dedication from Peter Hook, bassist for New Order and its precursor Joy Division. 

At the same time, 24 Hour Service Station also will issue an 18-track digital edition of Ceremony with an entirely different tracklist, plus a second digital-only album featuring 12 of the participating bands covering "Ceremony," the Joy Division song that became New Order's first single in 1981 following the suicide of singer Ian Curtis. 

Marshall Dickson, a DJ who started 24 Hour Service Station in 1993, has been compiling the tribute since shortly after Wilson died of cancer in 2007. A portion of the money raised by the project will go the charity established in Wilson's name, which gives grants to children who demonstrate "a special talent or ambition in the arts or creative skills." 

Tony Wilson was "an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, journalist for Granada Television, and the founder and manager of The Haçienda nightclub. He was one of the five co-founders of Factory Records. Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division & New Order." 

For more information and to pre-order Ceremony, visit CEREMONY - A New Order Tribute.

The Salford Foundation Trust can be found here. 

Photo: 24 Hour Service Station 

Quote: CEREMONY - A New Order Tribute

New Stone Laid At Curtis Memorial.

A new memorial has been laid to replace Ian Curtis' stolen headstone and the search continues for the original.

Fans of the late Joy Division lead singer were shocked when his memorial stone was taken from the Macclesfield Cemetery in Cheshire, England in July 2008.

Police are appealing for its return, and since a raid on a house in the town of Winsford there have been no new clues as to its whereabouts.

From the Macclesfield Express: Ian’s wife, Deborah Curtis, was "in a state of disbelief and shock" after the stone was stolen from the Prestbury Road site and laid the replacement. Her husband hanged himself in a Barton Street flat in 1980.

But former Joy Division and New Order drummer, Stephen Morris, from Rainow, said that it’s a shame for fans that the original is gone.

According to the council, the stone attracted 1,000 visitors to the town each year from around the world.

Stephen, who was a pupil at King‘s School alongside Ian, said: "I can’t understand what has happened to the stone but it’s an awful thing for someone to do.

"People go around nicking road signs but a person’s gravestone is very personal and the person who took it needs help. I suspect it could be on someone’s mantlepiece and that one day they may try and sell it back to us but it’s hard to say.

"The person who took it cannot be a true fan and it’s a shame for the people who come a long way to see the grave and put flowers on it.

"I am glad there is a replacement as I often go to visit the cemetery but it was a shock that the old one had gone."

Beverly Richardson, bereavement services officer at Macclesfield Cemetery, said: "People haven’t stopped coming to visit the site, even with no stone, and they come from all over the world.

"Like the rest of us, the fans think that it’s sad that the thief didn’t show more respect."

Inspector Gareth Woods, head of Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "Unfortunately we have nothing more to go on at the moment.

"It’s strange as we thought the stone would turn up or we would get information as the theft has had so much publicity. It’s a global news story so I’m sure we would know if someone had tried to sell it on. Whoever has the stone obviously intends to keep it but if anyone knows anything it could still help the investigation."

Peter Hook's The Hacienda: How Not To Run A Club To Be Published Oct. 5.

Co-written with New Order/Joy Division biographer Claude Flowers and available through amazon.co.uk:

"Peter Hook, as co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, has been shaping the course of popular music for thirty years. He provided the propulsive bass guitar melodies of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and the bestselling 12-inch single ever, 'Blue Monday' among many other songs. As co-owner of Manchester's Hacienda club, Hook propelled the rise of acid house in the late 1980s, then suffered through its violent fall in the 1990s as gangs, drugs, greed and a hostile police force destroyed everything he and his friends had created. This is his memory of that era and 'it's far sadder, funnier, scarier and stranger' than anyone has imagined. As young and naive musicians, the members of New Order were thrilled when their record label Factory opened a club. Yet as their career escalated, they toured the world and had top ten hits, their royalties were being ploughed into the Hacienda and they were only being paid GBP20 per week. Peter Hook looked back at that exciting and hilarious time to write HACIENDA. All the main characters appear - Tony Wilson, Barney, Shaun Ryder - and Hook tells it like it was - a rollercoaster of success, money, confusion and true faith."

Video: Simon & Schuster UK Channel
Quoted material: amazon.co.uk

New Order And Blur Members Announce Supergroup.

First came Joy Division, then New Order, and now there's Bad Lieutenant. Following the demise of New Order, three of the group's former members have teamed up for a new band - and brought along a member of Blur.

Frontman Bernard Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris and guitarist Phil Cunningham have joined with Blur's Alex James for Bad Lieutenant's debut album, due in October. "I'm very proud of it, it's a very good album," Sumner told the BBC. "It's pretty guitary too because we've got three guitarists in the band." There may yet be more guitarists added - Sumner has promised that other Manchester musicians are to join the "collective" on tour.

Bad Lieutenant formed last year, after New Order's acrimonious break-up. "Basically (bassist Peter Hook) left the band, that's all I want to say about it," Sumner said. "We split into two factions. There's me, Steve and Phil. The other is Peter."

Photo: Karl Walter/Getty Images via guardian.co.uk
Material quoted directly from: guardian.co.uk

Headstone Of Ian Curtis Stolen.

"The widow of former Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis is in a 'state of disbelief and shock' after thieves stole the memorial stone from his grave." And a former band mate described the theft as "sick" and a "new low."

The headstone, which has the words Ian Curtis 18 - 5 - 80 and the iconic lyrics "Love Will Tear Us Apart" printed on it, was taken from Macclesfield Cemetery in Cheshire, England.

Council staff believe the thieves went to great lengths to dig up the heavy stone and remove it from the site, which is some distance from an entrance to the 60-acre cemetery.

Thousands of music fans have travelled from across the world to pay their respects at the grave of the iconic lead singer after his death in 1980.

Curtis hanged himself in the kitchen of his home in Macclesfield. The band later reformed as New Order and enjoyed great success.

The film Control, the acclaimed biographical film about Curtis, was released last year.

Tony Barker, a spokesman for Macclesfield council, said Curtis's widow, Debbie, was informed of the theft as she returned from holiday.

He said: "We had to break the news to Debbie and she was shocked and found it difficult to take in. She is in a state of disbelief and shock. Considering it has been there for over 20 years I think everyone is shocked and surprised this has happened. It remains baffling and leaves you asking who, what and why?"

There has been added interest in the grave since the film was released last year.

Former New Order drummer Stephen Morris said: "It's pretty disgusting really that it's been there for almost 30 years and somebody has decided to take it as a sick souvenir."

Morris also said, "It's upsetting for Ian's relatives, as it would be for anybody, and I can't see what worth it's got to anyone. I think it's a little bit sick and what on earth they hope to achieve I don't know. We've all been wild and reckless in our time but surely this represents a new low."

Insp. Gareth Woods, of Cheshire police said: "This is a very unusual crime and it's not the sort of thing we have encountered before."

"Most Joy Division fans have respect for that area and we are appealing for information because we want to try and prick the conscience of anyone who knows anything about this."

The theft took place between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Macclesfield police at (01625 610000).

Photo & material: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

"This Lot Was On Stage Because They Had No Fucking Choice."

EAGERLY AWAITED JOY DIVISION DOCUMENTARY RELEASED IN THE UK.

Joy Division was directed by Grant Gee, previously responsible for the acclaimed Radiohead OK Computer tour documentary Meeting People Is Easy.

The new documentary follows hot on the heels of Anton Corbijn's movie Control, which was released in 2007, and concentrated its story on the band's tragic frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in 1980.

Featuring the unprecedented participation of all the surviving band members, Joy Division examines the band's story as depicted through never-before-seen live performance footage, personal photos, period films and newly discovered audiotapes. With poignant narratives from Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, as well as accounts from Throbbing Gristle musician Genesis P. Orridge, late legendary Factory Records owner Tony Wilson, iconic Factory Records graphic artist Peter Saville, photographer/filmmaker Anton Corbijn, Belgian journalist Annik Honore (speaking for the first time about her relationship with Ian Curtis) and others, the film is a fresh visual account of a unique time and place.

From director Grant Gee and producers Tom Atencio, Tom Astor and Jacqui Edenbrow, Joy Division chronicles a time of great social and political change in England and lays bare the untold story of four men who transcended economic and cultural barriers to produce an enduring musical legacy.

Material: nme.com & The Works via vids.myspace.com

Happy 2008!

And welcome to another year of "Happy 25th Birthdays!"

1983 was an outstanding year for Waist High music, so let's begin with one of the greats, shall we?

At 7:27 minutes in length, "Blue Monday" is one of the longest tracks ever to chart in the UK. It is recognised as the biggest selling 12" single of all time, but as Factory Records were not members of the British Phonographic Industry Association, it was not eligible for an official gold disc.

"Blue Monday" is often seen as one of the most important crossover tracks of the '80s music scene. Synthpop had been a major force in British popular music for several years, but "Blue Monday" was arguably the first British dance record to exhibit an obvious influence on the New York club scene, particularly the work of producers like Arthur Baker.

In an interview for Channel 4's countdown of the biggest selling UK singles, the band claimed to have written the song in response to crowd disappointment at the fact that they never played encores. This song, they say, allowed them to return to the stage, press play on a synthesizer and leave the stage again.

"Blue Monday" has been a hit several times in the UK. In 1983, it charted twice, initially reaching #12, then re-entering the chart later in the year and climbing to #9, helped by the fact that neither side of the single (the B-side "The Beach" was an instrumental re-working of "Blue Monday") was featured on the UK version of the group's subsequent album, Power, Corruption & Lies.

In 1988, "Blue Monday" was officially remixed by Quincy Jones and John Potoker under the title "Blue Monday 88." The single reached #3 in the British charts. A further official remix/reissue in 1995, with a mix by Hardfloor as the lead track, also made the British Top 20.

So what do you do when you happen to be absolutely obsessed with such a legendary and influential piece of wax? Well, just like this dude named Spencer Graham, you start an owner's club.

Graham in his own words:

"What is it about this record that so fascinates me? Is it its ubiquity? Is it its timelessness? Is it its sampleablity? [...] There are countless other reasons why I'm so into this record, not least the fact that it is a perfect, complete package of sound and design. I've yet to see a better record sleeve, thanks Peter Saville and Brett Wickens! This is where 12" vinyl comes into its own, I still buy it in preference over CDs. Those shitty little j cards you find in CD singles just can't compete with the visual and tactile impact of a 12"s sleeve.

"Whenever I see a copy of 'Blue Monday' in a charity shop or at a bootsale, I have to buy it. I can't bear the thought that it might otherwise get thrown out. End up in a landfill site somewhere. Criminal. Currently I have 8 copies of the Fac 73 version. But this is nothing compared to Erol Alkan's 14 copies. A fact which acted as a catalyst for this very work."

Graham's aim is to unite all owners of this legendary 12" by inviting them to send in photos of their copy. Currently there are dozens of pictures of owners from all around the globe.

Photo courtesy: Spencer Graham via bluemondayownersclub.com
Material: wikipedia.org & filter27.com

Control Wins 5 British Independent Film Awards.

Anton Corbijn's Control, which follows the last years of Ian Curtis before he killed himself on the eve of Joy Division's first US tour, won Best British Independent Film last night. The award ceremony was held at The Roundhouse in North London.

Sam Riley, who plays the iconic singer, was named Most Promising Newcomer and Anton Corbijn won Best Director for his first feature film.

Control, with a soundtrack including New Order, David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and Iggy Pop, also earned Corbijn the Best Debut Director title.

Toby Kebbell, as Joy Division's manager and Factory Records' Rob Gretton, won Best Supporting Actor.

"Created in 1998, The British Independent Film Awards set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public."

Material: manchestereveningnews.co.uk & bifa.org.uk

Control Soundtrack Listing Revealed.

Details of the Control OST have now emerged. The album, scheduled for release on October 1st, includes three brand new tracks from New Order, a cover of "Transmission" by the cast (presume that's the Joy Division actors) and The Killers' cover of "Shadowplay."

The New Order tracks are titled "Exit," "Get Out," and "Hypnosis." (It would be cynical to speculate that Bernard wrote these for Hooky.)

Full Tracklisting:

1) Exit - New Order
2) What Goes On - The Velvet Underground
3) Shadowplay (Joy Division cover) - The Killers
4) Boredom (Live) - Buzzcocks
5) Dead Souls - Joy Division
6) She Was Naked - Supersister
7) Sister Midnight - Iggy Pop
8) Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
9) Problems (Live) - Sex Pistols
10) Hypnosis - New Order
11) Drive In Saturday - David Bowie
12) Evidently Chickentown - John Cooper Clarke
13) 2H.B. - Roxy Music
14) Transmission (Cast Version) - Joy Division
15) Autobahn - Kraftwerk
16) Atmosphere - Joy Division
17) Warszawa - David Bowie
18) Get Out - New Order

The three New Order tracks are the instrumental tracks used in the last third of the film. They consist of Hooky's trademark bass lines, some sparse drumming from Morris, and Sumner playing what sounds like a flute sound on a mellotron - not particularly in the style of Joy Division, as was previously mooted.

Material: neworderonline.com

"In Control To The End."

As Anton Corbijn's film Control premiered in Edinburgh tonight, the thoughts of all those present were focused on one man. And though the film itself is the emotionally-charged biopic of tragic Joy Division legend Ian Curtis, those thoughts will be of another who looms large in the action - Tony Wilson.

Wilson, who is credited as co-producer of Control, died one week ago today, and as a mark of respect to the man who first signed Joy Division, establishing Factory Records in the process, the screening tonight went ahead in tribute to him.

The film, the directorial debut of rock photographer and Joy Division fan Anton Corbijn, is continuing to cause a stir after its award-winning entry at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

At the heart of that buzz is the startling debut from Sam Riley as the Joy Division singer. Sam and his co-stars playing Joy Division band members Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, all performed the songs featured in the film. The film, based on Deborah Curtis's memoirs of life with Ian, will get a Manchester premiere on October 4, before going on general release in the UK and America later that week.

The funeral of Tony Wilson, "one of the most significant figures in British music," will take place in Manchester next Monday, it has been announced.

It will be open to family and close friends via invitation only, although there are understood to be plans for a separate memorial service.

Charitable donations can be made to The Christie Hospital in Manchester online at Christies.org/makedonations.html or via post to:

Appeals Office
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
Wilmslow Road
Withington
Manchester
M20 4BX

Photo: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Material: manchestereveningnews.co.uk & uk.news.launch.yahoo.com

Brotherhood.

Bernard Sumner Says New Order Mate Peter Hook "Needs to Chill Out"

Last week New Order bassist Peter Hook shocked fans by lashing out at his bandmates on his blog and announcing the group had broken up: "You are no more new order than i am! You may have two thirds but dont assume you have the rights to do anything NEW ordery cos you dont ive still got a third!"

New Order guitarist Bernard Sumner - who hasn't seen Hook since the group toured South America last November (NOOL Editorial Note: Not true, they were in Cannes at the premiere of Control) - was as surprised as anyone who read the post. "I find it very distasteful for him to do that after all this time," he says, checking in by telephone from England. "He should have had a meeting with us. I'm not having someone tell me that we've split up without consulting me first. I think that's very arrogant."

Sumner is unsure whether he and drummer Stephen Morris will continue on as New Order without Hook. "We haven't got any plans to make any music under the guise as New Order," Sumner says. "I've working on two other projects at the moment so I'm kind of busy for the next couple of years anyway."

And Hook, he says, needs to take five: "I think that Hooky just needs to chill out a little bit and relax." Sumner says he has no plans to reach out to his blogging bandmate to clear everything up. "He's the guy who with the problem, so he should approach us," he says. "We haven't got a problem. I just don't think he likes me, so what can you do?"

Photo: Getty Images via news.bbc.co.uk
Material: Rolling Stone

Confusion.

Joy Division, Electronic and New Order Versus the World

Bernard Sumner has read the manuscript of David Nolan's new book Confusion, and has decided to contribute. Set to arrive in August, Confusion is the first and only biography of one of the world's most influential and secretive musicians. Sumner has added his thoughts and observations to David's text, put many previously private matters into context and had a right to reply on some of the more controversial aspects of the book.

Nolan says: "Bernard Sumner has read this book; it was vital that he be allowed to respond to some of the issues raised, particularly the very personal ones.

"To his credit, Bernard took a great deal of time and care offering his thoughts on the manuscript. As a result, where I had initially made a mistake, I have corrected it. Where his version differed to someone else's, I've included both. Where Bernard offers insight into something I could only have guessed at, I have added it verbatim."

Nolan is the author of I Swear I Was There: The Gig That Changed The World, a detailed book account of the Sex Pistols' gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester on June 4 1976. Voted by Channel Four television as one of the top three most important gigs of all time, the gig is featured in the films 24 Hour Party People and Control. Nolan is recognised as a world expert on the Manchester music scene.

Photo: Independent Music Press Publishers via neworderonline.com
Material: neworderonline.com & wikipedia.org

A New Order.

No sooner had it been revealed they'd split up, than New Order were back together - for the world premiere of Ian Curtis biopic Control at the Cannes Film Festival.

"It was a bit tetchy, to say the least," reveals bassist Peter Hook. "It was the first time we'd met up since we split up. I mean the thing is, we're 50 years old, not 15, if things don't work out, or someone's not happy you get on with it, you have to."

But the success of the Anton Corbijn-directed movie, which follows the life and tragic death of Joy Division frontman Ian, is providing comfort to Hooky. He says: "I think it's wonderful really that Control is doing so well, it's certainly cheered me up because not having New Order is not the easiest thing in the world, it's like a bereavement to be honest. So it helped me, if you like.

"But the premiere itself was one of the weirdest moments of my life. The film is so powerful, and it's not just me saying that, Anton has such a powerful way of telling the story. At the end, when you've had your heart ripped out and someone's stamping on it, everyone started clapping. It was a very surreal moment. Anton and the actors got a standing ovation, and I was sat there thinking, b***** hell, I lived that. I suppose it's like anybody who's had a film made about them, it was a bizarre surreal moment. I am really proud of what Anton has done. I had a feeling he was really going to do something special, and he has done. He was so passionate about the whole thing, so dedicated."

The remaining members of Joy Division - Hooky, Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris - recorded the soundtrack for the film, recording as Joy Division once again. Hooky says: "The soundtrack sounded fantastic, yes, the idea was to do it as Joy Division, so the three of us did the soundtrack as opposed to with Phil as well."

Since Cannes, the movie has been signed up by mega American film distributors the Weinstein Company, and will go on general release in the UK later this year - probably September.

Hooky says: "It's been picked up for a lot of territories, it's been signed up for nearly every big territory, a lot of people have been on from America congratulating me. The best way you can tell about a film, the true review is how many people go for a pee. If loads of people go for a wee, it's not grabbed them. But [at the premiere] only two people went for a pee, and one of them was Bernard! This film was really holding people's attention."

Photo: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Material: Dianne Bourne via blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The Weinsteins Take Control.

Control picked up for North American distribution

Harvey Weinstein announced on Monday that The Weinstein Co. has acquired North American rights to Control, the film centered on former Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis.

Control, the feature directorial debut of Dutch music video veteran Anton Corbijn, cleaned up at the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight, most notably taking Best European Film honors.

In addition to the Label Europa Cinema prize, Corbijn also received the Prix Regards Jeunes (Young Eyes Prize), awarded to a director's first or second feature film, and an honorable mention for the Prix Art et Essi, awarded for artistic merit and innovation.

The time was the late 1970s, and the post-punk explosion was just gaining momentum in England. At the forefront of this movement was a band named Joy Division. Formed by the former members of a band called the Stiff Kittens, Joy Division favored mood and expression over the aggressive stance that had come to define punk rock.

It was soon after the band was championed by Factory Records founder Tony Wilson that they collaborated with producer Martin Hannett on the album that would become their undisputed masterpiece - 1979's Unknown Pleasures.

But despite the band's rising popularity lead singer Curtis was not in good health, and his condition was gradually deteriorating due to a debilitating case of epilepsy. Unable to resist the temptation of another woman despite the fact that he was married and soon to become a father, tortured singer Curtis hanged himself in his Macclesfield home on the eve of the band's first U.S. tour.

The Weinstein Company was founded by Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 2005 after the pair left the Disney-owned Miramax Films, which they had co-founded in 1979. The Dimension Films label of Miramax followed the brothers to their new company. Advisors to the new studio include Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

Photo: Anton Corbijn
Material: variety.com, movies2.nytimes.com