Back catalogue: Indie/Alternative

Review: Originally known as Stuff Kittens, then Warsaw, the legendary U.K. post-punk band Joy Division emerged from Manchester in the late 1970s, their middle moniker chosen in honour of a David Bowie-Brian Eno track, "Warszawa. This album, recorded at the time but never released, includes five bonus demo tracks recorded at Pennine Studios in Manchester on July 18, 1977, featuring Steve Brotherdale on drums. The first 11 tracks were laid down during a recording session in early May 1978, shortly after 'Interzone' and 'Transmission' - later to become Joy Division classics - had been incoporated into their set, the formere emerging from a cover of Northern Soul classic 'Keep On Keepin' On', the band adding original lyrics to create a unique sound. 'Transmission', written during the final rehearsal week, begins with a line from Alistair Crowley's The Book of Thoth, adding to what is already a fascinating collection of early takes of songs that would later gain iconic post-punk status.