Two Rare Joy Division Tracks Have Just Been Re-Released

Joy Division was only around for a couple of years and a couple of studio albums and their discography and recorded output has been strip-mined again and again. I mean, how many editions of the Substance compilation does the galaxy really need?  Occasionally, though, there are still some surprises.

Rhino Records just re-released Unknown Pleasures, Closer, Still and Substance (again!!!) on 180-gram vinyl. Within that avalanche were two rare recordings. The first is an obscure B-side called “As You Said.” Long with being on the flip of  the”Komakino” flexi (1980), it can be found on any number of bootlegs.

The second is an alternate mix–the so-called “Pennine Mix” of “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” It was the original recording of the song, laid down at Pennine Sound Studios in January 1980. It, however, was rejected by Ian Curtis, producer Martin Hannett and label which then the band back to Strawberry Studios (10cc’s facility) to do it again in March.

Old school JD fan will recognize The Pennine version as the original B-side to the 12-inch of “Love” (the “official”) version, except that it wasn’t labelled as anything but “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” You’d have to dig into the band’s recording history to discover the true provenance of that side of the record.

If you can’t find the Pennine Mix on any of your Joy Division Factory 12-inches, don’t fret. There were seventy-two different variations. Just go out and buy it. Again.

(Via Irish Alan and Dangerous Minds)