Tony's chips

Has anyone any definitive info. on the latest thoughts of Tony Wilson? ... since the release of The Republican back in the 60's after Factory went down the toilet he seems to have taken to rubbishing New Order's efforts, seemingly without prejudice.

If so, its a shame as New Order have created some excellent songs recently which surely Wilson (the character I understand) would ordinarily admit were on par with material recorded at the Factory. Big Tone has a big following, even more so since the release of Party Poppers, is he now tarnished with large chips on his shoulders?

I think he took some of the lyrics on Republic a bit personally. They owed him almost as much in the beginning as he owed them at the end though. Without his foresight it may have been unlikely that the band ever broke through, "doomed to eternal support slots", as Paul Morley once wrote. Without their sheer quality and consistency of product though throughout the 80s though, it's unlikely that Wilson would have had the wherewithal to blow it all on the Mondays.

Of course we will never know if New Order would have turned out differently had they been in the sort of record deal that so many bands had during the 80s. The artistic freedom that was the making and breaking of Factory was also maybe the making of New Order.

I can understand Wilson being pissed off with New Order, likewise I can understand New Order being pissed off with Wilson. They needed each other, and when the dreams ended, the divorce was messy and acrimonious. A pity, but almost inevitable. Contracts written in blood don't allow for transfusions.

Interesting stuff Fred. The fallout is intriguing though, given the freedom they all enjoyed (and ultimately paid for), surely nothing was a surprise, especially a few jibes on Republican ... hardly harsh, more actual fact and predictable. I have an image in my mind that they all call each other c*@!s and that's just them being them. I find it odd that they should still be at odds 10 years down the line. What a waste if that is the case. Tony Wilson seems like a clever chap, what's the point in publically downing New Order nowadays?

... can't they all play nice?

That's my point El Jarvo, an excellent example of how things should be. If he isn't intrinsically involved in New Orders activities surely he could participate when the opportunity arises on one-off events or occassions. If he is due to be a compere - surely that is acknowledgment that they are indeed still friends with at least no lasting grudge? ... as you say ... most interesting.

I see Tone's reverted to newsreading and even hosting a particularly crap looking programme on C5. cConsidering he used to run a hyper-cool record label, it's no wonder he's a little bitter

Originally posted by Seb Briggs I see Tone's reverted to newsreading and even hosting a particularly crap looking programme on C5. cConsidering he used to run a hyper-cool record label, it's no wonder he's a little bitter

you mean, little critter?

... surely though Sticky, he could rise above and produce or do something more interesting on the back of his newly and refreshed fame? - why doesn't he open up his own small business and sell lighters in the town?

It's not just New Order that Tony's been incessantly accusing of being "twats" lately! I read an interview a couple of months ago in one of the Saturday broadsheet supplements (can't remember exactly which) where A.H.W. was actually being interviewed by Steve Coogan - prior to the launch of the film "24 Hour Party People" - and the number of times the word "twat" cropped up in the conversation - (between the both of them) - was almost enough to render the rest of the interview completely meaningless! ;)

Did anyone see Tone on Later a few weeks back - brief interview with TW and a couple of the 24HR PP actors - Tone referred to the actor who played Bernard Sumner and asked the actor what Bernard did... but it's tricky to gauge how much bitterness still exists in reality.

It'd be interesting to see NO in conversation with Wilson and Erasmus - perhaps chaired by an appropriate commentator - maybe more Peely than Morely??