The co-founder of legendary UK post-punk acts Joy Division and New Order tells James Wilkinson about great DJing and bad vibes
What should we expect from your DJ set?
It depends what the crowd want. I’ve been DJing for seven years but my musical interests stretch way back to 1977. Since then, I’ve taken in everything from The Sex Pistols to Soulwax to The Ting Tings to Delphic. So I’ve got a massive collection to choose from. I’ve also got a lot of mixes of New Order and Joy Division (pictured left) tracks by people like Gorillaz and Happy Mondays.
What’s the secret of good DJing?
When I look back on the best nights I’ve had – the ones I can remember, I mean – it becomes obvious that a good DJ is never even noticed by the people on the dancefloor. If you can give them a great night without becoming the focus, then you’re doing your job.
Doesn’t that make it hard to get a second booking?
Ah, but the promoters do notice you. And they’re the ones who ultimately make the bookings.
We’ve heard you’re working on a film. What’s it about?
It’s a kind of documentary. When The Hacienda [the infamous Manchester nightclub that Hook co-owned, pictured below] was being torn down, we found six hours of security footage that the doormen had hidden. It was of the whole club on New Year’s Eve 1995, so that’s basically what we’re editing together.
Why did the doormen hide the footage?
They were probably hiding it from the police. That place was dangerous. Back in 1988, the bonhomie was incredible – it felt like we were really changing the world. But in 1991, the gangsters realised there was money to be made and moved in. It got to the point where you couldn’t guarantee people’s safety. It was awful.
Speaking of bad vibes, the New Order camp still seems unhappy…
The others won’t let it lie. As far as I’m concerned, we split in 2007 and that was the end of New Order. It seems bizarre to me that Bernard [Sumner, co-founder] would claim that the band was still going on, which he did for a while. Now we’re just two fat old men shouting at each other. I don’t know why we can’t realise that we’re destroying the beauty of what we made.
What happened?
We changed. It’s like a marriage – once the sex has gone, once you don’t have that spark any more, it can go sour. I suppose I should be flattered that people are still upset.
Is there anything we can do to get you guys back together?
Ha, I’d aim a bit lower if I were you. Try world peace or a cure for Aids or something first.
So if New Order is a divorced couple, the fans are the kids. What would you say to them?
Don’t worry; I’ll see you at the weekend. And I’ll bring lots of goodies and take you to McDonald’s.
I’m not sure you can afford that many Happy Meals…
If we get back together, I’ll say Time Out did it. Next up – world peace!
