I Was There – Alex Paterson on Joy Division at the London Lyceum, 29/2/80

The Orb mainman recalls seeing the Mancunians in action in February 1980

I was a roadie with Killing Joke, and we did a few gigs with Joy Division quite close together, ULU (University of London Union), High Wycombe and then the one at the Lyceum, in 1980.  We were sharing a rehearsal room with Motorhead at the time. What were they like?  Very deaf.  Yes, even then. It’s always been handy having been a roadie when The Orb go out on tour too – I’m not above helping to load the gear in from the van!

The bands got on pretty well, I think because they were both from outside London so they both felt outsiders.  There’s a recording on YouTube of Killing Joke at the soundcheck doing a version of ‘Rapper’s Delight’ by Grandmaster Flash. That was my song – I used to do the vocals. We didn’t play it at the gigs but if we were at a party and the band was crap we’d go and take over and play this.

Ian Curtis (below) was pretty electrifying to watch as a performer – I don’t think many people had seen aything like it before. We didn’t know about his epilepsy then, it wasn’t something people spoke about.

Joy Division were a revelation though, because seeing them live made me realise how much of that sound was actually Martin Hannett working in the studio.  The penny dropped and it made me realise that the studio was like a music instrument in its own right. It’s what really gave me the idea that would eventually turn into The Orb.

Browse our selection of Joy Division releases here

The Orb play live dates at:

Thu, NOV 17 – Clwb Ifor Bach – CARDIFF

Fri, NOV 18 – Marrs Bar WORCESTER

Sat, NOV 19 – The Sugarmill STOKE-ON-TRENT

Sun, NOV 20 – Tunbridge Wells Forum

Thu, NOV 24 – Leadmill  SHEFFIELD

Fri, NOV 25 – Metronome NOTTINGHAM

Sat, NOV 26 –  Met lounge PETERBOROUGH

Sat, DEC 3 – The Sub Rooms STROUD

Fri, FEB 24, 2023  – Earth Theatre (Upstairs) NORTH LONDON