Peter Hook: 'New Order was an empty shell'

Bass player reflects on band's demise

Peter Hook has spoken out about the last days of his former band New Order, claiming that a lack of communication had left the band "an empty shell".

Speaking as part of BBC Radio 2's New Order week, the bass player spoke about how relations between himself and frontman Bernard Sumner had broken down.

New Order split up last summer, apparently for the final time.

Asked by DJ Stuart Maconie about the prospects of the band burying the hatchet, Hook explained: "I've no idea really. Sometimes you wonder what you were arguing about.

"From what I can gather, Bernard was upset that I didn't go and see him to tell him that I didn't want to work with him anymore. To my mind it had gone.

"I had a manager and I was paying my manager 20 per cent, so got her to do the dirty work. I didn't see why I had to do my own dirty work. She told him in February and he never said anything, he just went, 'Right'."

Hook also spoke of his anger at the 'New Order' statement released by his bandmates that claimed Hook had gone to the press without telling the other band members he had left the band.

"I told him every night after the Brazilian tour that I wasn't going to do this again," Hook said. "I did Brazil for the money. I just felt it was like an empty shell, New Order. It really was for me. I can't talk for the others."

However, Hook went on to say that the process of remastering the band's five albums for Factory Records had given him closure on the turbulence.

"I must admit that when I listened to it, I was really proud of them [his former bandmates]," he said. "It did cheer me up because it made me realise that while we fight like kids in the playground we actually achieved something that we should all be proud of."

http://www.nme.com/news/new-order/40173

linus sulanki wrote: Bass player reflects on band's demise

Peter Hook has spoken out about the last days of his former band New Order, claiming that a lack of communication had left the band "an empty shell".

Speaking as part of BBC Radio 2's New Order week, the bass player spoke about how relations between himself and frontman Bernard Sumner had broken down.

New Order split up last summer, apparently for the final time.

Asked by DJ Stuart Maconie about the prospects of the band burying the hatchet, Hook explained: "I've no idea really. Sometimes you wonder what you were arguing about.

"From what I can gather, Bernard was upset that I didn't go and see him to tell him that I didn't want to work with him anymore. To my mind it had gone.

"I had a manager and I was paying my manager 20 per cent, so got her to do the dirty work. I didn't see why I had to do my own dirty work. She told him in February and he never said anything, he just went, 'Right'."

Hook also spoke of his anger at the 'New Order' statement released by his bandmates that claimed Hook had gone to the press without telling the other band members he had left the band.

"I told him every night after the Brazilian tour that I wasn't going to do this again," Hook said. "I did Brazil for the money. I just felt it was like an empty shell, New Order. It really was for me. I can't talk for the others."

However, Hook went on to say that the process of remastering the band's five albums for Factory Records had given him closure on the turbulence.

"I must admit that when I listened to it, I was really proud of them [his former bandmates]," he said. "It did cheer me up because it made me realise that while we fight like kids in the playground we actually achieved something that we should all be proud of."

http://www.nme.com/news/new-order/40173

Amazing, anyone wanna bet on there being a book about this?

They should just move on with their side projects. I wish Bernard would revive Electronic and bring Stephen into it.

"I didn't see why I had to do my own dirty work"

Hmmm, hope that this came across better in person than it looks on paper...........

"i did it for the money" They really came a long ways since JD.

lucienchardon wrote: They should just move on with their side projects. I wish Bernard would revive Electronic and bring Stephen into it.

It's not Electronic, but he's doing just that - Bad Lieutenant (or whatever they'll end up being called).

It's no surprise, but still sad. In my own unrealistic little world I'd want them all to be friends again eating strawberry cake on the grass...

nataliet wrote: It's no surprise, but still sad. In my own unrealistic little world I'd want them all to be friends again eating strawberry cake on the grass...

Just like on "Play at Home", sweet! "How do you think that went Bern?" "I'd say it was a piece of cake!"

......suit.Hey hey...calm down

linus sulanki wrote: Bass player reflects on band's demise

Peter Hook has spoken out about the last days of his former band New Order, claiming that a lack of communication had left the band "an empty shell".

Speaking as part of BBC Radio 2's New Order week, the bass player spoke about how relations between himself and frontman Bernard Sumner had broken down.

New Order split up last summer, apparently for the final time.

Asked by DJ Stuart Maconie about the prospects of the band burying the hatchet, Hook explained: "I've no idea really. Sometimes you wonder what you were arguing about.

"From what I can gather, Bernard was upset that I didn't go and see him to tell him that I didn't want to work with him anymore. To my mind it had gone.

"I had a manager and I was paying my manager 20 per cent, so got her to do the dirty work. I didn't see why I had to do my own dirty work. She told him in February and he never said anything, he just went, 'Right'."

Hook also spoke of his anger at the 'New Order' statement released by his bandmates that claimed Hook had gone to the press without telling the other band members he had left the band.

"I told him every night after the Brazilian tour that I wasn't going to do this again," Hook said. "I did Brazil for the money. I just felt it was like an empty shell, New Order. It really was for me. I can't talk for the others."

However, Hook went on to say that the process of remastering the band's five albums for Factory Records had given him closure on the turbulence.

"I must admit that when I listened to it, I was really proud of them [his former bandmates]," he said. "It did cheer me up because it made me realise that while we fight like kids in the playground we actually achieved something that we should all be proud of."

http://www.nme.com/news/new-order/40173

jezz! here we go again... :rip:

anybody else find it a bit charming that they still act like children?

Nick King wrote:

lucienchardon wrote: They should just move on with their side projects. I wish Bernard would revive Electronic and bring Stephen into it.

It's not Electronic, but he's doing just that - Bad Lieutenant (or whatever they'll end up being called).

I meant it would be great to have Bernard, Stephen and Johnny Marr work together.

coney island baby wrote: "i did it for the money" They really came a long ways since JD.

hey there are older guys now, at this age you realize that you need money to eat!

FRANK[gold]ITO wrote:

coney island baby wrote: "i did it for the money" They really came a long ways since JD.

hey there are older guys now, at this age you realize that you need money to eat!

oh i know... i don't blame them and I don't have those lofty ideals anymore.. just playing devil's advocate

It sounds like a softening of animosity to me. The first step to a "kiss and make up". Typical fooking NO in fact.

They'll be back.

noorder wrote:

They'll be back.

spot on

typical New Order really. Don't you see the pattern? They always need time apart. Then they start over all over again and claim its the happiest they ever been. If they make another album like Get ready, i would be thrilled. If not, its been fun while it lasted.

I feel sure that I remember him saying it was only 10%

EDIT: No, it was 20%

I'd have done it for 15

coney island baby wrote: "i did it for the money" They really came a long ways since JD.

If they did it for the money then why not do one final-proper-farewel-fuck-off gig in the UK..i mean, come on, that's where it started..

Talking about not taking ur fanbase seriously...

I feel sold out

Peter Hook wrote: "I did Brazil for the money"

It's silly, but it hurts a little, you know :(

Igor wrote:

Peter Hook wrote: "I did Brazil for the money"

It's silly, but it hurts a little, you know :(

I don't know why so many are taking offense to this statement. When bands reform and go on tour... its usually for the money

EdelBrock wrote:

Igor wrote:

Peter Hook wrote: "I did Brazil for the money"

It's silly, but it hurts a little, you know :(

I don't know why so many are taking offense to this statement. When bands reform and go on tour... its usually for the money

Yes, but it's New Order, the indie Apostles Although if you think of what the Sex Pistols have been doing lately... I guess when you're old you just don't care about certain things anymore but money.

I'm really disappointed to hear it from Hooky, the punk bassist. A bit more honesty was needed when you toured in 2006 then. Simple: if you don't enjoy playing music together, just stop right there.

Hooky always loved the music : it wasn't that he stopped loving the music, was it? It must have been the interpersonal band relationship that could function no more.

The bottom line is we all work for money, no matter what your job is. Punk, indie, blah, blah...hardly any of those bands made money during their peaks, not that it was their priority so they said at the time....but they've all moaned about it since. NO had singles on albums from Low Life and then it was just the downward spiral of shitty remixes and miming on TV. Punk ethics, BS.

Arfur Fuscake wrote: The bottom line is we all work for money, no matter what your job is. Punk, indie, blah, blah...hardly any of those bands made money during their peaks, not that it was their priority so they said at the time....but they've all moaned about it since. NO had singles on albums from Low Life and then it was just the downward spiral of shitty remixes and miming on TV. Punk ethics, BS.

well, i agree with you about almost everything you said..

but i'm a sucker for remixes, and there have been a tiny few lately over the past few years that are decent..

later -1

EdelBrock wrote:

Igor wrote:

Peter Hook wrote: "I did Brazil for the money"

It's silly, but it hurts a little, you know :(

I don't know why so many are taking offense to this statement. When bands reform and go on tour... its usually for the money

Nah, it was just an emo moment. Come on, of course it's stupid to take offense. Go make a lot of money. In the "South America reunion tour 2010" I'll be happy to put a few pounds in Hooky's pocket again.

Now, if you excuse me, I'll listen to all the albums back to back, in a dark room. Then I'll cry and cut my wrists.

Having now listened to the NO interviews with Stuart Maconie this week on BBC Radio 2, I have to say that Hooky sounded like he had one great big, fat chip on his shoulder.

It is interesting to note that it seems to be only Hooky who thought that New Order was through..an empty shell.

Bernard and Stephen seemed quite content with New Order and seemed like they want New Order to continue. A lot of my friends and myself loved WFTSC and were looking forward to another record in a few years.

I don't know. I really like Peter Hook, he seems like such a swell guy (he takes the time to respond to fan emails on Myspace, which is just incredibly awesome of him) but I wonder why he alone wants New Order to be dead so badly.

Zachery Starkey wrote: It is interesting to note that it seems to be only Hooky who thought that New Order was through..an empty shell.

Bernard and Stephen seemed quite content with New Order and seemed like they want New Order to continue. A lot of my friends and myself loved WFTSC and were looking forward to another record in a few years.

I don't know. I really like Peter Hook, he seems like such a swell guy (he takes the time to respond to fan emails on Myspace, which is just incredibly awesome of him) but I wonder why he alone wants New Order to be dead so badly.

Well from his interview I know Bernard effectively said that winning the singer sweepstake after Ian's death suited his ego. And I just wonder, whether or not that has been a constant thorn in Hooky's side down the years?

Zachery Starkey wrote:

I don't know. I really like Peter Hook, he seems like such a swell guy (he takes the time to respond to fan emails on Myspace, which is just incredibly awesome of him) but I wonder why he alone wants New Order to be dead so badly.

Because he and Barney can't stand each other anymore. Something must have happened between them that we don't know about. I don't think Peter has an issue with Steve. Steve seems to be the guy who kind of avoids any serious tension with everyone...maybe more easy going is a good way to describe him?? And according to Peter, Barney has self confidence problems.....Maybe Barney is too controlling? Either way in 5 years they will get back together.

J