As a joy division and new order fan i feel touched when anyone, but in particular, established artists choose to interpret, personalise and perform their music. Ian has gone but he still inspires generations and will do forever.I will be sad when people stop covering their songs.

I'm no smashing pumpkins fan I'm a huge joy division fan but I like them doing it their way - that's what music is all about.

I swear I have never heard anyone do to covers what Billy pulls off. For live performances, he will reinterpret his 'own' freaking songs in ways that somehow transcend the original recording-i.e. "Shame" during the 2007 tour. 'Transmission' is no exception. It bears the soul of the original, yet gets lifted to entire new realms of incomprehensible, spine-crushing rock-awesomeness. The intro riff alone raises the hair on the back of my neck-every single time I hear it. This song does not tire.

awesome version. the smashing pumpkins and joy division are both enormously talented and influential bands. love what SP's done with this. sure, it's basically just a late-90's industrial rock jam with contrasting dynamics with ian curtis' lyrics thrown in, but it's cool to see the message and power of the original being expanded beyond just the lyrics into the music itself. ian's words, dancing (and suicide) shed a dark perspective on JD's music, and it's awesome to see SP take the whole package and transform it into something else, through and through. not a cover, but a loose interpretation. also, this was during the adore tour. during this period the smashing pumpkins adopted an "industrial-gothic" look. their music got the same makeover. That sort of simultaneous hollow, modernist coldness mixed with rage and mosh-worthy energy is the sound that joy division was known for. of course they're not the same, but they're more similar than you think, and while you are most certainly entitled to your opinion, this is something to take into account just in case you are merely suffering from a case of "the original is better". in fact, the two are incomparable. i bet if this was a pumpkins song instead of a cover then the JD fans here would appreciate it a lot more. from: a fan of both bands.

I really don't get why people think this is so bad. It's beautiful.

People are too defensive, every cover I watch, the comments are full of people hating the cover. I know when you love a song it`s hard to listen to another band covering it but in a way I think that`s the magic of music covers, it`s the artist take on the song, the original music is altered by the covering band way of playing and that creates a new way o enjoy and see the original song. In my opinion in every case, the original version of the song is the best one, but I respect the covers and really like some of them

I mean, it's less "cover" and more "jam session homage to Joy Division", it's not awful. They're just doing their own take on the song. If you don't allow for creativity and a shift in perception of something, how can you like Joy Division in the first place? Although I can see why people wouldn't like the song if they just don't like Smashing Pumpkins' style I suppose.

I didn't know Joe Satriani was such a good drummer

This was such an incredible extension of the song OMG. Huge Joy Division fan AND huge Smashing Pumpkins fan…I think it's awesome that they paid tribute to such an influence, but they really did the pumpkin's thing and ran with it. Beautiful. I think Ian would have loved it. He would have been proud. That's what matters. Great performance and tribute from one genius to another. LOVE IT.

I love hearing how bands interpret their own sounds into joy division. This is a perfect example

There's never a reason to perform a cover just like the original band, this is a perfect example of doing a cover right.

More of an interpretation than a straight up cover. Take it for what it is, don't expect the resurrection of Ian Curtis and it's fucking amazing.

This is one of my favorite live perfomance of Smashing Pumpkins! Transmission a cover of Joy Division, they look so elegant so avantgarde, so noisy, like the texture of the sound and there's is a lot of good takes.

It seems that a lot of people hate on this rendition of the song, and I can understand it. This version only barely resembles the original, and that's entirely by design and goes by and large to highlight the subjectivity of music; are they supposed to sound identical to the original? No. That's what made them an "alternative" band; they're unconventional in sound, and performing a song that's unconventional to begin with. Billy's unique voice tends to work best in these ballads built of hazy, layered and manic riffs, as opposed to anything resembling a straightforward folk repose. This is not Joy Division, part two. This is the Smashing Pumpkins taking a Joy Division song and utilizing it as a jumping-off point to stir their own pot and explore the unbalanced angst that they've long since dropped off. Subjectivity at it's finest, and for whatever reason, I actually prefer this one to the original.

Great performance. The energy really comes through. The crowd was very engaged. And I love the way the footage was shot. The cinematographers did a bang up job on this.

Love it. SIngers can't copy Curtis' baritone, or JD's brilliant musicianship. It's aversion.

One of the best best bands, covering a brilliant song, so very fucking beautifully done.

I think everyone who doesn't like this video and cover is not a musician. For me this is the most important thing of making music. Everybody has it's own interpretation of music and it's great to see how SP put all their creativity in this cover and honor Joy Division with this performance.

Just heard this cover (or a similar one) on the Adore reissue. This is what a great cover is all about, in my opinion. Take a great song, and make it your own. LOVE the Joy Division version. I didn't even realize this was a cover until the lyrics kicked in. Great interpretation by the Pumpkins.

love how it sounds

Im a big JD fan, but i have to say, this is pretty good. In my humble opinion, I think IC would've approved. Hauntingly seductive...just like JD was. RIP IC we still miss you mate!

Listen to it on its own merits. Mindblowing

Two of my favourite bands.. wow

It's not really a cover. It's just their own jam with them using the lyrics from Transmission. That's it.

One of the best cover I've ever heard!

This is cool. I like both versions.

pretty cool.. like it very much... they played one of my all time favourite songs in their own way, and I admire that

i absolutely love this song!!!

Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins are both big fans of Joy Division.

Awesome! I love the Adore album and everything I've seen of the Adore tour!!

la definición de "cover" no es que sea igual a la original, aweonaos está bien lo que hicieron los smashing, porque es un cover, que no les guste es otra cosa

Funny how Hooky's son Jack is now their touring bassist.

Who unlike this video is not a fan and not even know Smashing Pumpkins no doubt. That's Their style, alternative. I love it!

It grows and grows and then takes on a new life form.....not a copy but a great sound from SP's.

When a band 'covers' a song- they do it in their own style - their own interpretation - i'm sure ian curtis would have loved to hear a Country and Western 'cover' of this. Even New order said ' we're not Joy Division (now) so F off.... '

Sublime ---Happy Passover.

Over the years I've enjoyed music from both bands. I like this interpretation; it has a haunting quality about it that makes me think of Ian. JB

this is absolutely brilliant, great musicians, fantastic interpretation, very pumpkins

This is a fantastic version, especially played live. I think it works brilliantly

I'm neither here nor there when it comes to the SP but I do applaud the totally different take on this classic song. Well done! If you want it to sound like Joy Division, then cut to the chase and listen to Joy Division. Imagine who lame it would have been if The Clash had made their Brand New Cadillac sound like Vince Taylor? If you wanna hear a really great interpretation of a classic song... check out XTC covering All Along The Watchtower. That's how you make a song your own! Peace.

Love it! Great noise !!

I was front row for this and I loved it all!

Wonderful re-working of an already wonderful track. Hats off to Messrs Corgan and Curtis.

Absolutely mental. Love it.

Joy Division or not, this is a banger!

I don't dislike it, but it seems to have very little to do with the original song.

Lot of comments on their take on this song. Shifting gears a bit, seeing D’Arcy again...man, I so lusted after her in the 90’s.

yeah since i've heard this version, completely love it

This has to be one of the best covers of all time

this is soooo good.....great version.....

I honestly think it's one of the best covers i ever heard. thx for sharing, i used to have this clip on a tape i lost.

One of my favorite cover, if not the most beautiful..

great dynamics

in their own way this was perfect, none of bands nowdays are/will so emotionall musicians like SP and BC are...and it's good to know that this is only a part of it, 'cause every time at the '98-tour they ended with this cover and it was almost 20 minutes long!

Spectacularous

Thanks a lot for the upload! I've been waiting for this for ages.

Original and creative cover

Honestly gives me a Bowie-esque vibe. Love it

Strange people who dislike covers but listen these covers just for saying that they hate covers... they got a lot of time to waste. For me this is what I wait for a cover, another interprétation of the song, not a duplicate of the original.

joy division still !!! rules

this is great! Absolutely love it! And as "shopliftersUnite" said- its a great interpretation of a great song & yes very pumpkins but thats what makes it so unique! There are many straight-up covers of the JD original and none of them can even touch what Joy Division had. so its nice just to see a really amazing interpretation instead!! :) xxx

Badass JD cover ! I liked it a lot !

Funny how I was 16 back then and totally forgot they performed that rendition.

Quite different from the Joy Division original, and an excellent cover for it. Other covers of Joy Division songs seem to be trying to outdo the original in some way or another-harder, louder, gloomier, etc-and all pretty much fail because of it. Nope, you can't outdo Ian Curtis and Joy Division's original, so don't even try. Instead, find a *personal* take of your own on the music and lyrics and build from that.

god damn how i love his guitar tone

Say what you want about the decision to do their own version or whatever If I was in the crowd i'd've gone fucking nuts It's still a great jam

wow, MTV actually had music on back then.... ;-)

Love it.

Joe Satriani on the drums...

They played very well, a new way to experience a good song just like Transmission by Joy Division ... I like Joy Division and the Pumpkins are my fav band ...

It’s important to have new interpretations, explorations and renditions of songs. It shows in the first place a recognition of the original piece and of course an accolade upon its creating genius.

This is what you get when good musicians play a great song

I realize a "cover" song is different to many by definition. A good cover song to me is when a band like Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, The Killers can do a JD song and sort of make it sound like their own. I read some of the comments and I could tell not many JD fans liked this. I'm a JD fan myself and I liked it. I knew it was a JD song but Billy made it sound like his own. Half the crowd probably had no clue that it wasn't an original. And to end his show with a Joy Division song, I think that's showing respect to Ian, Bernie, Hookie and Stephen, and how Joy Division had an influence in his music.

group fantastico

Genius

Very cool

Atmosphere + Transmission))))

It's a really good cover. It's not exactly true to the original, but it's certainly spooky as hell.

"A journey through time" Show !!! Show !!! Show !!!

"Dance, dance, dance to the radio"!

man i wish i was there

This is a Joy Division cover? Ok I guess it can be. Nice that they did a cover of a Joy Division song and I guess in all fairness it doesn't have to be the same sounding song. I still love Joy Division's sound way more than this.

That NYC bike messenger is great at drumming

probably one of my favorite eras of the pumpkins, but i really wish jimmy was there.

donde puedo encontrar este recital completo o como lo puedo buscar please help amo esta banda.....

filmed on toronto unforgetable

Man, these guys smashed alot of pumpkins in this part

Peter Hook’s son played bass for SPs a while back.

me too... i have listened to this song over 300 times... so my itunes say haha

Keep the intensity. Is all. Hats off. ✊

I love Joy Division and I dont care if it dosent sound anything like the original...I still like it I think of it as a tribute. @ Dtownfanman that comment to me was so random I laughed.

As an encore after a show its pretty cool. Thats all it is, a homage, relax people.

if you like it, TRy to found the version at Hamburg......1998 one of my favorite Pumpkins songs, realy

why so much hate? at least they tried to melt it in their style, not many musicians o that, they usually just play the song

Goodnight children.

Im a huge Joy Division fan since 79 , my channel here is me covering Joy Division ,, i like this cover to be honest ,, more for the live creative professional playing , they can certainly play too ,, not sure he fits Ians lyrics in very well , but musically its great , great drummer too ,, i may LOVE JOY DIVISION but i appreciate other bands, musicians too

Mad prog remix? More than a cover I should think.

humble opinion... a) this version is slashed to 1/4 of what it is originally, b) i don't think the intention was ever to be the same as the original, it is a song on its own right with parts from the original , c) the songs evolves so much in the full version and each single version played live is different and incorporates different elements. I think that a comparison does not do justice to this song. d) the bass line is simple yes but goddamn good!

i also love joy division a lot & dont agree... they did their own version, much better than copying the original just the way it is... this is art my friend, no photocopying...

I don't think one of these bands predates the other, both were founded in 1987. But when the whole SubPop grunge thing started, Mudhoney were the number one band on SubPop, and Nirvana were something like the little pop brothers. That changed, but in the beginning Mudhoney were bigger.