Post-punk band Joy Division is known for having half of their members from Macclesfield.

But an even better known fact of the Ian Curtis-fronted foursome, is their debut album cover for Unknown Pleasures.

Designed by Peter Savile, and said to be selected by either Macclesfield drummer Stephen Morris or guitarist Bernard Sumner, the black and white cover art has arguably become more iconic than the band itself.

The artwork depicts radio waves, which were once thought to be transmissions from extraterrestrial life.

Joy Division's first album Unknown Pleasures (left). The album cover is arguarly as well known as the music.

Released with the album in 1979, the radio pulsars have become embedded into pop culture as a must-have band t-shirt.

With some even ironically wearing the band's t-shirt, due to how popular it is.

As a result, there have been a slew of parody t-shirts of the Unknown Pleasures album cover.

Ex-bassist Peter Hook even got in on the fun in April 2021, by posing in a redesigned Joy Division band shirt to raise awareness for climate change.

There are hundreds of variants of the original Joy Division tee (left) on the web, including ones endorsed by former Joy Division member Peter Hook (right).

(Which you can buy here).

And today, Macclesfield Nub News will compile the zaniest Joy Division parody shirts you can buy on the web. Starting with...

Lovejoy Division

LOVEJOY DIVISION: The famously Christian character from TV's 'The Simpsons' is referenced to in this Joy DIvision parody apparel. (Image - TeeSpring)

Reverend Lovejoy is a character from the TV cartoon The Simpsons. And he is referenced thrice in this first Joy Division parody tee.

His name - which partially sounds like the band - face and a quote are all alluded to.

This includes a gag from the TV show 'Rock and/or roll', for which you can view here.

It costs £11.92 to buy and is available in any size up to 5XL.

Buy the shirt designed by Mariek06 on TeePublic by clicking here.

Eurovision

Peter Savile's artwork has been savaged here, being replaced with the heart iconography of the Eurovision Sogn Contest. (Image - Teespring)

The glitz and glitter of the Eurovision Song Contest couldn't be further removed from the atmospheric, colourless charm of Joy Division's sound. But if you don't want to go all out for your next Eurovision party, this could be the perfect thing for you to wear.

Sold on Teepublic and designed by Rebus28, the Joy Division waves are replaced with the heart of Eurovision, which forms part of the cheesy music competition's logo.

It costs £11.92 and can be purchased in any sizes up to 5XL.

And it ships to Macclesfield. Buy it here.

They've got the wrong band...

Let's see if you can spot what is wrong with this design... (Image - youweiona)

A lot of online discourse which now gives apathy to the coolness exuded towards a Joy Division shirt, is the fact that people wearing it may not be able to name any of the band's songs.

As a result, this £20 tee from youweiona.com keeps the same artwork, but lists the wrong band and album title.

Instead of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures, the album reads 'Depeche Mode, Boys Don't Cry'.

Try not to wince at these mistakes! This is sure to get a laugh in public.

These are references to two other British bands with similarly dour themes, Depeche Mode and The Cure (who penned Boys Don't Cry). But as I'm sure you already know - these incorrect names have no connections to Macclesfield!

Buy the shirt up to 3XL size here.

Macclesfield or Seattle?

The Macclesfield-Salford band go Stateside in this parody piece of clothing.

1990s sitcom Frasier was known for their black title card with white outlines, portraying the Seattle skyline.

From a graphic design perspective, this is quite similar to the concept of Joy Division's debut album.

So trendstees.com are selling a mash-up shirt of the Kelsey Grammar-led TV show and the Macclesfield-fronted rock band.

It costs just £10.57 excluding shipping, and contains sizes up to 2XL. Buy it here.

And that was our picks for the four funniest Joy Division shirt parodies on the web. Did we miss any big ones? Join in with the conversation on our social media.

Macclesfield: You can also buy the original and official Joy Division shirt for £16.99 here.

See Also: Ian Curtis passport photo taken in Macclesfield sold for £7,500

Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top 10 Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article?

1300 of you have signed up already. Simply enter your email address in the shaded box below or on this link.

Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper for all things Macclesfield.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.