Freebass

The idea for Freebass began as a joking-but-serious concept between Peter Hook and Gary "Mani" Mounfield: a Manchester supergroup built around multiple bass players. Hook was between New Order commitments; Mani was between stints with Primal Scream.

Freebass began to take shape with Peter Hook of Joy Division/New Order, Mani of The Stone Roses/Primal Scream, and Andy Rourke of The Smiths. Three legendary Manchester bassists — each occupying a different musical space.

The band worked on early material, including The Tower, an instrumental used as the theme for the Channel 4 Radio programme The Tube. Hook was already talking publicly about the project and the challenge of making a three-bass band work.

Freebass were reported to be in the studio working on their debut album. The project moved slowly as all three members had other commitments — Hook was navigating the end of New Order, Mani was touring with Primal Scream, and Rourke was based in New York.

Gary Briggs, formerly of Haven, became the main vocalist, giving Freebass a more conventional frontman while Hook, Mani and Rourke remained the band's identity. Guest contributors around the sessions included Tim Burgess, Pete Wylie and Howard Marks.

Reports suggested that the Freebass album was finally close to completion. The project still felt more like a strange Manchester myth than a fully active band, but a physical release was now being prepared.

Freebass released the Two Worlds Collide EP as a digital download — the first proper public release from the project after years of talk, demos and delays.

It's a Beautiful Life was released digitally. The album had taken around five years to finish and mixed alternative rock, dub, dance textures and Northern soul influences around the band's bass-heavy concept.

Freebass played their first full live shows, including London's 100 Club and FAC 251 in Manchester. Andy Rourke was not part of the live line-up; the band performed mainly around Hook, Mani, Gary Briggs and supporting musicians.

Andy Rourke's departure from Freebass was confirmed. He had helped create the project and contributed to the EP and album, but was living in New York and would not be joining the band for live dates.

Freebass split before the full physical release of It's a Beautiful Life. The breakup became public after Mani criticised Peter Hook online. Mani later apologised.

It's a Beautiful Life received its expanded physical release in the UK. By the time the album reached shelves, the band had already collapsed.

Peter Hook moved further into Peter Hook & The Light, performing Joy Division and New Order material live. Mani later returned to The Stone Roses.

Andy Rourke died, closing the possibility of the original three-bassist Freebass line-up ever reforming.

After Mani's death, Peter Hook reflected on their friendship and on Freebass as an ill-fated but memorable project — a band built on a brilliant idea, delayed for years, and over almost as soon as it became real.