Distraction... Video Alphabet "J"

J... the letter with which my parents started all three of their kids names. What were they thinking?

Anyways...

J is for The Jam - "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight"



So quintessentially British, The Jam were not only one of the best damn bands in England in the late 70s, they also resurrected the Mod styles of sixties London that were lost to other emerging musical scenes. This performance was from Tops of the Pops in 1978.

J is for James - "Say Something"



I was going to go with a more classic song from Tim Booth and the guys, but this song is one of those songs I understand all too well. Communication is a basic for a solid relationship, and if you're missing it, there's probably a great many other things you are without.

J is for The Jesus and Mary Chain - "April Skies"



The second year of Lollapolooza included some big acts like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sound Garden, Pearl Jam, and Ministry, but to hell with them! I went for two reasons... Lush and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Both bands were incredible to see, but I realised in the future I was going avoid outdoor summer shows because I just can't handle the sun and the heat.

J is for Joy Division - "Love Will Tear Us Apart"



I have always loved this song, but now that I have lived this song, this desperation between lovers, this song hits me in ways I never could have foreseen when I heard it as a simple teenager.

I have always been fascinated by Joy Division. I read Dante's "Inferno" when I was in eighth grade trying to understand Ian Curtis and the album Closer more. In fact, I still remember having hellish nightmares about the people who were turned into trees or the soothsayers damned to eternity with their heads turned backwards for trying to spent their lives looking too far forwards. Anyways though... Curtis' slip into his own darkness is very scary to me. I think a lot of people see me as being kind of sad, but I can't even fathom the places from which his sorrow and frustration flowed.

Here's a few more from the band. Also if you're a fan or want to learn more about Ian Curtis and Joy Division, the film Control about Curtis and the band arrives on DVD finally this week, on Tuesday, June 3rd. They were also featured in the 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People, which was the story of the music scene in Manchester, England and their record label, Factory Records, and the label's founder, Tony Wilson. Highly recommended!

"Shadowplay" -first television appearance from 1978.



"Atmosphere" -post-humus video effort for the band.