Peter Hook: 'New Order was an empty shell'

No Holiday wrote:

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

Yeah I think it was something along these lines maybe. Bernard is not the most eloquent man in the world and I often wonder if he said something to Hooky that seriously offended or insulted him without meaning to. Its definately something we don't know about....and you are right about Steve....its nothing to do with him. Something happened between Hooky and Barney...who knows what.

Its just kind of sad, seeing as how they were lifelong friends and all. I am sure that, deep inside, both of them probably feel hurt.

On a lighter note, in a recent email, Hooky told me that Bernard is "a very lazy man!" which I thought was quite funny.

I hope they get back together, even if I could just see them play live once more, that would be so awesome. Thier music is very important to me.

speculation....i speculate the sky is going to fall any minute now.

Hooky didn't like that New Order was reduced to a heartless empty shell going thru the motions. Bernard didn't mind going through the motions even though Bernard doesn't like playing live, writing lyrics, or interviews, cause he was still the center of attention. Steve was trying not to rock the boat.

Really, if they were not having fun and not being very creative either, why would you want them to stick together like a bad marriage with the wife having an affair and the husband going to bath houses, a dysfunctional facade.

0_o wrote: Hooky didn't like that New Order was reduced to a heartless empty shell going thru the motions. Bernard didn't mind going through the motions even though Bernard doesn't like playing live, writing lyrics, or interviews, cause he was still the center of attention. Steve was trying not to rock the boat.

Really, if they were not having fun and not being very creative either, why would you want them to stick together like a bad marriage with the wife having an affair and the husband going to bath houses, a dysfunctional facade.

I don't know if Barney was ever comfortable being the center of attention....I just think that he thinks he knows what's best for the group, and was the one that everyone sort of followed. And you have to remember, Barney wasn't always the center of attention.....certainly not in Joy Division. But he was second to Ian in terms of being a leader....in that sense Barney might have a strong personality. Obviously so does Peter. The only thing is a lot of WFTSC was very strong, and showed a lot of promise, and I was excited to hear those "7 yet to be released tracks" that would follow shortly after. I don't know about their live performance, but I don't think their creativity petered out, at least not when listening to their last album.

J

In essence it's one big fook up, by grown men who should know BETTER.

or grown men all needing an easy excuse to stop touring cause they all hate it.

are any of them grandparents yet?

In the past, they would have had someone around them to either tell them to wind their necks in about going public (Rob Gretton?) or they would just pursue their own projects without anyone outside really knowing what's gone on. Now, they have the means to be as independent and public as they like. I don't think there's anything new about all of this, except that we know that it's happened this time. Roll on the Siren's outtakes release, let's hope they realise even more than they appeared to when interviewed this week that they had something and still could create something, if not then roll on the release of the side projects and gigs.

seriously, i am getting sick of hearing about these 7 extra songs.

they either have them or they don't.

either release them or burn them.

i am sick of the f'in wait.

wtf?

are they still under any contracts, do you gurus know? if they are not under any contract, why not release the music? if they ARE under contract, why would London or whomever NOT want to release these songs and make a bundle of cash?????

or, why can't they just put this out under Fractured?

come on, be the artists you once were, new order.

let the fans hear your art.

wtf.

why does nobody know nothin?

Tarbox23 wrote: seriously, i am getting sick of hearing about these 7 extra songs.

they either have them or they don't.

either release them or burn them.

i am sick of the f'in wait.

wtf?

are they still under any contracts, do you gurus know? if they are not under any contract, why not release the music? if they ARE under contract, why would London or whomever NOT want to release these songs and make a bundle of cash?????

or, why can't they just put this out under Fractured?

come on, be the artists you once were, new order.

let the fans hear your art.

wtf.

why does nobody know nothin?

It's probably because these 7 tracks suck big time. Even if they don't, they still need, I assume, additional updated programming, overdubs, etc. And the band is not there to do all that.

I have been told that the songs are fully complete and have been produced by Brian Higgins - must admit I've never heard of him.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Higgins_(producer)

I always thought that the release of Singles should have been backed up with these 7 new songs on the second disc.

Anyway, in terms of performance, I've seen some amazing NO gigs and some boring ones : the last UK performance in Wolverhampton was the best NO show I had seen since the Apollo in 98. At least they hadn't gone shite live.

Arfur Fuscake wrote: I have been told that the songs are fully complete and have been produced by Brian Higgins - must admit I've never heard of him.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Higgins_(producer)

Not true. Higgins was just one of the many producers involved in the WFTSC sessions. At least two of the remaining tracks, namely "Madonna" and "Sugarcane", were produced by Stephen Street (the former) and some bloke with a scandinavian-sounding name I can't remember right now (the later). As for these tracks being shite and hence not released, I recall Street saying "Madonna" was a top tune...

Igor wrote:

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

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

Anyway, we all had a great time together here! Peter pretends very well though Bernard looked terrible, just see Josue's (Mr Disco) picture in his avatar!

Is it because Bernard hates Peters natural showmanship or maybe its the other way round:D

No Holiday wrote:

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

Sit and drink. Penny Royalty. Cryptic to those who don't.

Arfur Fuscake wrote: I have been told that the songs are fully complete and have been produced by Brian Higgins - must admit I've never heard of him.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Higgins_(producer)

Brian Higgins was commissioned to produce some songs, but the band were unhappy with the results.

No Holiday wrote:

0_o wrote: Hooky didn't like that New Order was reduced to a heartless empty shell going thru the motions. Bernard didn't mind going through the motions even though Bernard doesn't like playing live, writing lyrics, or interviews, cause he was still the center of attention. Steve was trying not to rock the boat.

Really, if they were not having fun and not being very creative either, why would you want them to stick together like a bad marriage with the wife having an affair and the husband going to bath houses, a dysfunctional facade.

I don't know if Barney was ever comfortable being the center of attention....I just think that he thinks he knows what's best for the group, and was the one that everyone sort of followed. And you have to remember, Barney wasn't always the center of attention.....certainly not in Joy Division. But he was second to Ian in terms of being a leader....in that sense Barney might have a strong personality. Obviously so does Peter. The only thing is a lot of WFTSC was very strong, and showed a lot of promise, and I was excited to hear those "7 yet to be released tracks" that would follow shortly after. I don't know about their live performance, but I don't think their creativity petered out, at least not when listening to their last album.

J

I agree 100 percent here..WFTSC was a great album..some cracking good songs on there...

As for live performance...I guess I must disagree..I think they were still brilliant live (see the Personal Fest footage from Rio) but I think perhaps you prefer the intensity of the ealier NO performances to the ones of later years.

I personally enjoy Barney's silly dancing.

Zachery Starkey wrote:

No Holiday wrote:

0_o wrote: Hooky didn't like that New Order was reduced to a heartless empty shell going thru the motions. Bernard didn't mind going through the motions even though Bernard doesn't like playing live, writing lyrics, or interviews, cause he was still the center of attention. Steve was trying not to rock the boat.

Really, if they were not having fun and not being very creative either, why would you want them to stick together like a bad marriage with the wife having an affair and the husband going to bath houses, a dysfunctional facade.

I don't know if Barney was ever comfortable being the center of attention....I just think that he thinks he knows what's best for the group, and was the one that everyone sort of followed. And you have to remember, Barney wasn't always the center of attention.....certainly not in Joy Division. But he was second to Ian in terms of being a leader....in that sense Barney might have a strong personality. Obviously so does Peter. The only thing is a lot of WFTSC was very strong, and showed a lot of promise, and I was excited to hear those "7 yet to be released tracks" that would follow shortly after. I don't know about their live performance, but I don't think their creativity petered out, at least not when listening to their last album.

J

I agree 100 percent here..WFTSC was a great album..some cracking good songs on there...

As for live performance...I guess I must disagree..I think they were still brilliant live (see the Personal Fest footage from Rio) but I think perhaps you prefer the intensity of the ealier NO performances to the ones of later years.

I personally enjoy Barney's silly dancing.

Personal was in Buenos Aires mate!

WFTSC is a studio album different from Get Ready...

Big Mouth Julio wrote:

Zachery Starkey wrote:

No Holiday wrote:

0_o wrote: Hooky didn't like that New Order was reduced to a heartless empty shell going thru the motions. Bernard didn't mind going through the motions even though Bernard doesn't like playing live, writing lyrics, or interviews, cause he was still the center of attention. Steve was trying not to rock the boat.

Really, if they were not having fun and not being very creative either, why would you want them to stick together like a bad marriage with the wife having an affair and the husband going to bath houses, a dysfunctional facade.

I don't know if Barney was ever comfortable being the center of attention....I just think that he thinks he knows what's best for the group, and was the one that everyone sort of followed. And you have to remember, Barney wasn't always the center of attention.....certainly not in Joy Division. But he was second to Ian in terms of being a leader....in that sense Barney might have a strong personality. Obviously so does Peter. The only thing is a lot of WFTSC was very strong, and showed a lot of promise, and I was excited to hear those "7 yet to be released tracks" that would follow shortly after. I don't know about their live performance, but I don't think their creativity petered out, at least not when listening to their last album.

J

I agree 100 percent here..WFTSC was a great album..some cracking good songs on there...

As for live performance...I guess I must disagree..I think they were still brilliant live (see the Personal Fest footage from Rio) but I think perhaps you prefer the intensity of the ealier NO performances to the ones of later years.

I personally enjoy Barney's silly dancing.

Personal was in Buenos Aires mate!

WFTSC is a studio album different from Get Ready...

Oh that is right! Forgive me I couldn't remember where in Brazil is was.

I do know that Get Ready was the album before WFTSC...I think WFTSC is far superior to Get Ready. :)

Zachery Starkey wrote:

Big Mouth Julio wrote:

Zachery Starkey wrote:

No Holiday wrote:

0_o wrote: Hooky didn't like that New Order was reduced to a heartless empty shell going thru the motions. Bernard didn't mind going through the motions even though Bernard doesn't like playing live, writing lyrics, or interviews, cause he was still the center of attention. Steve was trying not to rock the boat.

Really, if they were not having fun and not being very creative either, why would you want them to stick together like a bad marriage with the wife having an affair and the husband going to bath houses, a dysfunctional facade.

I don't know if Barney was ever comfortable being the center of attention....I just think that he thinks he knows what's best for the group, and was the one that everyone sort of followed. And you have to remember, Barney wasn't always the center of attention.....certainly not in Joy Division. But he was second to Ian in terms of being a leader....in that sense Barney might have a strong personality. Obviously so does Peter. The only thing is a lot of WFTSC was very strong, and showed a lot of promise, and I was excited to hear those "7 yet to be released tracks" that would follow shortly after. I don't know about their live performance, but I don't think their creativity petered out, at least not when listening to their last album.

J

I agree 100 percent here..WFTSC was a great album..some cracking good songs on there...

As for live performance...I guess I must disagree..I think they were still brilliant live (see the Personal Fest footage from Rio) but I think perhaps you prefer the intensity of the ealier NO performances to the ones of later years.

I personally enjoy Barney's silly dancing.

Personal was in Buenos Aires mate!

WFTSC is a studio album different from Get Ready...

Oh that is right! Forgive me I couldn't remember where in Brazil is was.

I do know that Get Ready was the album before WFTSC...I think WFTSC is far superior to Get Ready. :)

I actually haven't been given the privilege to see New Order live, but I did borrow the 2001 live DVD Finsbury Park i think, or 611 or something....It wasn't bad, they seemed like they were for the most part having fun.....but I clearly remember during Temptation Barney was complaining TO THE CROWD that Hook's bass was too loud! There was definite on stage tension between them. But I do like seeing live footage from the 80s with Gillian.....What can I say, that was their prime. They were younger, doing more drugs, and making classic music. Broken Promise live kicks ass, as does the live video to Perfect Kiss.....The Barney dancing.....ehhh....Honestly I thought it looked a bit ridiculous, but it didn't deter from the music. It just looked awkward to me. Guess you lighten up some with age!

I quite like both Get Ready and WFTSC, but I think Get Ready is the better album by a slight advantage.....They just sound so re-energized and cool on that record. Primitive Notion is one of their underrated tracks me thinks.

J

0_o wrote: Really, if they were not having fun and not being very creative either, why would you want them to stick together like a bad marriage with the wife having an affair and the husband going to bath houses, a dysfunctional facade.

which one of them is the wife and which the bath-house-frequenting husband...?

I just want to point out, in Hooky's defense, he did end the Maconie interview with a compliment to Barney (his vocals and lyrics having improved tremendously over time or however it went)--seemed like a nice gesture.