biography

BIOGRAPHY

Rising from the ashes of the legendary British post-punk unit Joy
Division, the enigmatic New Order triumphed over tragedy to emerge
as one of the most influential and acclaimed bands of the 1980s;
embracing the electronic textures and disco rhythms of the
underground club culture many years in advance of their
contemporaries, the group's pioneering fusion of new wave aesthetics
and dance music successfully bridged the gap between the two worlds,
creating a distinctively thoughtful and oblique brand of synth-pop
appealing equally to the mind, body and soul. New Order's origins
officially date back to mid-1976, when guitarist Bernard Sumner
(formerly Albrecht) and bassist Peter Hook -- inspired by a recent
Sex Pistols performance -- announced their intentions to form a band
of their own. Recruiting singer Ian Curtis and drummer Stephen
Morris, they eventually settled on the name Joy Division, and in
1979 issued their landmark debut LP, Unknown Pleasures .
After completing sessions for Joy Division's sophomore effort,
Closer , Curtis hanged himself on May 18, 1980; devastated, the
remaining trio immediately disbanded, only to re-form a few months
later as New Order with the addition of keyboardist Gillian Gilbert.
With Sumner assuming vocal duties, the new group debuted in March
1981 with the single "Ceremony," a darkly melodic effort originally
composed for use by Joy Division. The LP Movement followed a few
months later, and when it too mined territory similar to New Order's
previous incarnation, many observers were quick to dismiss the band
for reliving former glories.

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