The name “Joy Division” originated from a 1953 novel, House of Dolls, which described the sexual slavery wings of Nazi concentration camps. The band, originally named “Warsaw,” changed its name to “Joy Division” in 1978 to avoid confusion with another band and to reflect the novel’s content, which contained the term “Freudenabteilung” (Joy Division in German).
The name immediately caused controversy, leading to accusations that the band had right-wing sympathies. The members denied this, though they acknowledged that the name had shock value and was meant to subvert norms.
In his memoir, Sumner described the decision as “mischievous” but noted that he would not choose the name today.
Most recently Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was photographed leaving an Australian Airforce Aircraft wearing a Joy Division Tee Shirt.
