‘Bands who perfectly reflected the lives of despondent 80s teenagers’

When I was 16 or 17, my friends at school picked up guitars and formed a band.

I had just started reading the NME and was struck by the photography of Anton Corbijn and Pennie Smith, along with a film called Blow Up starring David Henmings based loosely on David Bailey. So I decided to pick up a camera.

Joy Division/New Order, bands at that time who perfectly reflected the lives of despondent teenagers in the early 80s.

So when I saw New Order were playing Walthamstow Assembly Rooms, tickets were eagerly purchased. Armed with my £20 Olympus Trip, I made to the front of the stage - no ‘three songs, no flash’ in those days, at least for me.

There they were, these enigmatic figures of Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner. Not saying a word to the audience, sometimes playing with their back to the crowd and not playing the current single 'Ceremony’.

Years later, in 2012, Peter Hook, now sadly estranged from the band, was playing the Wedgewood Rooms with his band The Light. I thought it would be nice to get a few things signed, so I nervously knocked on the door and there he was, the rock god that is Peter Hook. He was delighted with the set of prints I gave him. 'See that tie?' he asked. ‘Still got that, me grandfather’s.’

*Peter has played the Victorious Festival a few times, A good friend of mine, Kevin Stokes (who has an excellent 80s Indie show on Express FM ), had a poster of a Guildhall show from the 80s signed by the band - everyone apart from Peter Hook, that is.

He asked me if I could get the poster signed. With the help of Craig Duffy, it was finally complete after 30 years.

Peter Hook at Victorious Festival on August 29. 2015.

Above – Peter Hook at Walthamstow Assembly Rooms, September 25, 1981. Right – Peter at Victorious Festival in 2021

New order at Walthamstow Assembly Rooms in London on September 25, 1981.

Peter Hook at the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea.Photos: Paul Windsor