New Hooky post... Split is CONFIRMED

C'est la vie. Thanks for the good times and the memories, been a big part of my life since the age of 14 (1984).

"Oh it's the last time" or is it? Is anything certain or final with the Order?

the split is being reported as "official" news on sites like msnbc and scoop in new zealand.

difficult bastards - the hook/sumner/ axis has finally imploded. och well it's not as though get ready, wftsc or even republic for that matter have ever been on high rotation (me? i'm a technique/low-life man). it's just a pity it took this long for the inevitable - can you imagine if Bernard had rolled with the momentum and produced a classic follow-up to the first electronic album?

i have been obsessed with new order since i dug out 12" copies of confusion and blue monday from my cousins record collection in 1986 and have only seen them live once, it was new order (version lounge) at fuji rock in 2001 when they played a greatest hits set with a noodling billy corgan.

i envy all of those who saw them live in 80s and early 90s

their influence is like a virus in modern music. they are generation x's most important band

http://www.myspace.com/perfectkis

captain obvious wrote:

their influence is like a virus in modern music. they are generation x's most important band

nah surely that was Screaming Trees.

it's a joke, according to the Guardian's website.

http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2076508,00.html

New Order has split up, bassist Peter Hook claims

But it's news to his bandmates and publicist: 'This is probably just Hooky messing about. Everyone knows what he's like'

Rosie Swash Thursday May 10, 2007 Guardian Unlimited

Peter Hook, New Order's legendary bassist, has set the hearts of the band's many fans fluttering by claiming the band have split up. The only problem is that he doesn't seem to have told his record label or bandmates. In a message posted on his MySpace page, Hook claims - almost in passing - to be "relieved" that the news is out, but the alleged break-up was immediately denied by the band's press officer.

Article continues

In his message entitled "Life Goes On", Hook writes (typos his): "Well here we go again another action packed week. I suppose it was the interview with Clint Boon [on Manchester's XFM] that started it all off. He'd asked me for a few words on perry farrells satellite party single dogstar (which he thought was great) so i went on and lo and behold mentioned the N>O> split so i suppose because it was me sayin it it was out at last. im relieved really hated carryin on as normal with an awful secret so lets move on shall we?" Hook's remarks were, however, denied by the band's long-standing press officer Jayne Houghton this morning, who said that any split is news to fellow band members Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris.

"As far as everyone is concerned, New Order will be going to Cannes next week, as a band, to promote the new Joy Division film [Control, a biopic based on the memoirs of Ian Curtis's wife Deborah]," she said. "This is probably just Hooky messing about. Everyone knows what he's like."

New Order formed in 1980 following the suicide of Ian Curtis and the resulting demise of Joy Division. Following on from Joy Division's gloomy, introspective sound, New Order received widespread critical acclaim for their blend of electronic and punk music. Their 1983 hit Blue Monday is frequently credited as the bestsellling 12-inch of all time. The band continued prolifically throughout the 80s, becoming the poster band for Tony Wilson's label Factory Records, and they were heavily involved with Manchester's legendary club venue the Hacienda.

I'm not so sure about it being a joke - he's been saying it to a fair few people, me included. Surely it ceases to become a wind-up after a while if it were meant as a joke?

can't Jack just give Ste or Barney a bell.

surely he can nick his dad's phone for a minute, find one of their numbers, and have a quick word.

C'mon Jack. you useless peice of...

I don't think it would be outright a 'joke', but I just read the Guardian article, and I do trust the Guardian, apparently, it's 'news' to Stephen and Barney. Hmmmm.....

How I think is, I think there's still some possibility of them breaking up, but still some possibility (perhaps a low possibility, who knows?) that they may not split up. If a band (not just New Order, any other random band as well) were splitting up for good, you'd probably expect confirmation from all members, as well as perhaps an official press release from the entire band regarding it.

You would expect as much from any other band, but this isn't any other band. Word of mouth (or something scribbled on the back of a fag packet) is/was about all we would ever get.

Keeps 'em in the news I suppose...

There's a very good Japanese phrase/word used to describe my feelings on this: it's written as 半信半疑 (pronounced 'hanshin-hangi'), and it literally means 'half believing but still half suspecting/not believing'.

There is unfinished business with a final gig in Manchester yet to happen. Cant let a wet night in Blackpool be my obituary.

leather_girl wrote: There's a very good Japanese phrase/word used to describe my feelings on this: it's written as 半信半疑 (pronounced 'hanshin-hangi'), and it literally means 'half believing but still half suspecting/not believing'.

There's a very good English phrase to describe my feelings on this. "What the heck?"

Joking aside, I'm not 100% convinced it is the end. Then again, I still believe that Richey Edwards is alive.

Rats.

What are they going to be doing now then? Who is Bernard going to form a not-quite-as-good-as-they-should-have-been supergroup with this time?

Like its been said, better than them becoming sad old fuckers like the Rolling Stones.

The only disappointment i'd have is that they wasted those the 90's. Should've had 2 or 3 albums then. Who honestly would rather have had the Electronic & Revenge albums?

i never got to see new order live...well, not much to say to that except, its nice to have the music still....on cd...

El Jarvo wrote:

Steve One wrote: Until it comes from Bernard i'll take it with a pinch of salt.

So, if Barney wants to carry on New Order without Hooky would people still see that as 'New Order'?

Personally, I doubt it.

Hopefully all this personal appearance (let's face it, that's basically what the Hookster's deejaying is) stuff will come to an end and Hooky will come to his senses. Sooner, rather than later, please.

I think you've mad a useful point there. While Hooky is "making hay while the sun shines" in his new found DJ career it's easy for him to put a big two fingers up to the rest of the band. And no disrespect to the man for doing this.

However.....as Al points out, these DJ sets are little more than personal appearances and I'm pretty sure bookings will be a bit harder to come by in a year or so's time. Lets be honest, on the few occassions I've seen Hooky DJ he's mis-read the crowd completely and not really given the punters what they want.

Couple that with the fact that, like it or not, he isn't THAT big a draw and you're unlikely to see many promoters booking him more than once. A glance at his rather sparse tour diary on the Myspace thing along with some of his own comments about how quiet places have been and how "hard the crowd were" kinda backs this up.

Everyone's gotta make a living, NO may well tread the boards again when the other income streams have been exhausted.

BTW, all the members deserve to be knighted by the Queen, including Ian.

Not sure they're monachists, given they made an album called Republic... plus it doesn't sit to kindly with their anti-authoritarian bent, methinks.

Ah well, these things happen.... not the end of the world, nor totally unexpected, but still a bit sad. Would've been good if they could've gone out on a good note (always a challenge, live at least :-)), rather than with WFTSC, or worse still (IMHO) with outtakes therefrom, but there you go!

For me, Ceremony was always the song, so I suppose that the overall trend has been a gradual decline since then.

New Dawn Fades, eh?

Never say Never. I don't believe it will be permanent. They still have enough music for at least one more album and I will wait patiently for it.

I got a friend of mine into New Order and he has bought every album and single by NO and has never seen them in concert. Techically I have seen them 4 times, 3 as New Order and once as Electronic. He's jealous he hasn't seen them in concert. Maybe if they come back together just for a reunion concert he will have a chance.

Jane

Tony Blair and John Prescott announce resignation plans today as well.

Coincidence? I doubt it.

Tony Wilson stood for election once you know.

I wonder who'll be PM and who'l be the Chancellor?

Vote Hooky

BIGINOIL wrote: Tony Blair and John Prescott announce resignation plans today as well.

Coincidence? I doubt it.

Tony Wilson stood for election once you know.

I wonder who'll be PM and who'l be the Chancellor?

Vote Hooky

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGH NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DONT YOU REMEMBER THE HACIENDA!!!!!!!!

Jane Chase wrote: Never say Never. I don't believe it will be permanent. They still have enough music for at least one more album and I will wait patiently for it.

I got a friend of mine into New Order and he has bought every album and single by NO and has never seen them in concert. Techically I have seen them 4 times, 3 as New Order and once as Electronic. He's jealous he hasn't seen them in concert. Maybe if they come back together just for a reunion concert he will have a chance.

Jane

So you mean you have seen New Order 3 times and Electronic once.......

well,that's that then,it's a sad day for the Manchester music scene but all great things must end eventually,possibly there may be a reunion concert in the distant future or maybe not,who knows,all there is to say really is,good luck to the lads (and Gillian,let's not forget her) and put your feet up,you've earned it!

almansoglasnost wrote:

Spotnick wrote: Poor almanso, his first New Order gig will actually be the last one!

well, what can i say? at least i had the chance to see them. imagine for a moment they´d cancelled the show at last minute just like in 88.... i´m kinda sad for all those who didn´t have the chance to see them live and they had great expectations during the last tour.

Alejo.. I'm feeling the same way, i was lucky too....Rio Nov 16 was also my first and last New order gig, i did it right traveling from Colombia to Brazil last year....finally my dream came true!!

well...there is nothing i regret!!

:)

Jane Chase wrote: I got a friend of mine into New Order and he has bought every album and single by NO and has never seen them in concert. Techically I have seen them 4 times, 3 as New Order and once as Electronic. He's jealous he hasn't seen them in concert. Maybe if they come back together just for a reunion concert he will have a chance.

Jane

Damn straight that I'm jealous that you have seen them multiple times and I have yet to seem them once in concert. Sighs; I knew I should have just flown to Europe last year to see them.

Psy

I never saw them either. Should've gone to NY when I had the chance.

I now think it's a wind up. I think Hooky was secretly annoyed about the March Madness polls appearing on the main forum and thought he'd give us something to talk about and keep the momentum up until Control was premiered.

in the end the music lives on. from myself, I offer a heartfelt thanks to the band for making songs I'll always enjoy.

Well, a week is not so distant, let's see if they really go to Cannes. (Yeah, right). Maybe it's just a joke taken too far, but I don't think Hooky would really write stuff like that only to joke, when he talks about a "secret" he's obviously talking about a secret between him and Bernard, so I don't really believe Barney wasn't aware about anything. Someone could ask Andy Robinson what the fuck is happening? Now that would be a reliable source. Maybe there's some sort of negotiation between the members and someone is trying to keep the band alive to finish their projects. After all, in 1998 Bernard said they were back, but had to finish their commitments with the side projects before releasing new stuff. I just see weird to split now in such a way before finishing what they had planned to do. I don't think they're in the same position as in the mid-90s, financially speaking. They've lost no money with any Hacienda this time, they've certainly had a good income from the sales, and they're in a status now when their records constantly sell. Even if they don't release anything in the future, people will always buy a few copies of the classics. Records like Closer and Technique always sell. Young music fans just buy these albums like they buy the classics from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd etc. Not in the same amount, unfortunately, but still pretty much. It's amazing how many teenagers respect this band. They're not proper fans, but if you mention Joy Division or New Order they see them as a classic band and quite some have a couple of their albums and enjoy them once in a while. New Order made some money with the last two albums and the tours, and this time they didn't blow it away on drugs and wrong businness. I'm sure Barney has still his yacht, Hooky has three cars, and they don't expect to live longer than 30 other years. Also I think they could have pensions in a dozen of years! No, I don't think they won't ever reform to earn a living. At their age, a split was to be expected, but as I said, it's just happening in a very strange way.

I think this is all a bit of a clever psychological stunt as instigated by Hooky. It's probably no more than a perverse reaction to the sheer number of 1980s bands that have reformed (or indeed are going to reform) in recent months - with The Police being the most recent and the godawful Spandau Ballet mooted to be the next.

Maybe this is why he decided the band should "split" - cos every other bloomin tom dick and harry from the 80s are getting back together. ;)