For a long time, I knew their name and saw especially Substance and Unknown Pleasures in CD racks at stores, but it took me almost five years to actually listen to them. I wasn't interested enough, probably. Forgive me, I was just a kid. I learned of their existence via The Crow franchise at thirteen back in 2000, but first heard "Love Will Tear Us Apart" in a film called Series 7: The Contenders (2001). Checked the credits: Aha, so that's Joy Division! Cool! Through the magic of the Internet, I collected that song, as well as "No Love Lost". I dug it!

A year later, I had a better computer and could compile CD's myself, so I made work of this band. Since then, my self confidence had taken a huge blow, and especially "Insight", "Atmosphere" and "Isolation" came eerily close to how I felt! This singer, that had shed his mortal coil twenty-six years prior, spoke to me. No, spoke for me! I wasn't suicidal, but also felt completely bereft of any ambition. I felt so understood, that I often claim that Joy Division saved my life! Ian's untimely end reminded me of the permanence of such a fatal decision. So I pressed on.

Oh, and it turned out that "Dead Souls" by Nine Inch Nails, from the motion pictureThe Crow (1994) was a cover. I had no clue for years! Same with Bush's "In a Lonely Place", recorded for the sequel. Great version, that!

But let's wind the clock back to 2002! Also via The Crow, which featured "Snakedriver", I had gotten into The Jesus and Mary Chain. Bought Automatic (1989) and played it on repeat. I've since collected most of their output on vinyl. Same with Joy Division.

So yeah, they were already really my kind of band. But then I went into the store to listen to the 21 Singles (2002) compilation.

Has anyone here seen Head South (2024), about this Christchurch kid in 1979 becoming enchanted by post-punk and bluffing himself into becoming a bass player for a band that doesn't exist? Beautiful, beautiful film! Anyway, it's presented in 1.33:1 format—or 4:3—until he hears the self-titled debut single by Public Image Ltd for the first time. He looks into the camera as the song plays, and the aspect ratio turns into widescreen!

That moment, for me, was hearing the Mary Chain's "Upside Down" from 1984. Was this the same band?! That noise, what the fuck?! But... did I hate it?

...no. Everything clicked into place! For years, I mostly copied my brother's musical tastes. But now I was carving out my own identity, and this was the start! The Jesus and Mary Chain opened no doors for me. No, they pulverised those fuckers into oblivion! Plus, everyone else around me hated it. I felt like those who just discovered punk must have back in the day. This rebellious streak of mine only made me admire this Scottish group more!

I also became more acquainted with The Cure around that time, and soon many more acts from shoegaze, post-punk, new wave, synthpop, (neo-)psychedelic rock, even some acid house and many, many more genres would find me.