Peter Hook interview [louder than war]

mark reed wrote: Not quite true : no one bought the Freebass record because the singer was bloody dreadful.

def agree with you there, mark.

I remember putting on the FREEBASS CD at work for the first time after receiving in the mail the same day....except for the Tim Burgess track, the others with whats-his-name singing sounded bloody %#@&^% I could see dismayed looks around the office ( everyone was asking - whats this STAIND or NICKELBACK crap...) I then ended up just playing the INSTRUMENTAL disc - sounded much better after that

I still really like the Freebass material.

Why did it fail commercially? Because nearly all recorded music does. Sales are the exception not the rule, as Bad Lieutenant also found out (great songs on their releases as well). Any New Order Now release would get a lot more attention, but still probably not sell hugely: touring is essential for them to make everything make sense commercially. If Freebass had held it together and got offers of bigger gigs, then it might have worked for them, but from Mani's point of view, why bother when Primal Scream and the Roses will always get more attention gig wise. Hence Hooky touring old material: makes perfect sense for him to do something work wise that actually pays the bills. I hope we do get new material from everyone eventually, but they'll have to do it for love not money, it's the only way.

NotAMod wrote: They didn't really release much in the end, the sub total of the Freebass stuff I purchased (as part of being a NO collector) was:

• Two Worlds Collide EP (US CD)
• Two Worlds Collide - The Instrumental Mixes (Digital)
• It's A Beautiful Life (UK 2xCD w/ Instrumentals)
• It's A Beautiful Life (US 2xCD w/ 3xEP on 2nd disc)
• You Don't Know This About Me - The Arthur Baker Mixes (Digital)
• Fritz von Runte - Freebass Redesign EP (Digital)

The Two Worlds Collide (except Dark Starr which is dire) and Fritz von Runte EPs are pretty good and I occasionally revisit the Instrumentals disc of the LP but aside from that...

The von Runte remix of YDKTAM in the style of Ceremony is really good.

you havent mentioned the two worlds collide/manray US promo CDR.

You telling me you aint got it?

Kelvin Owers wrote: I still really like the Freebass material.

Why did it fail commercially? Because nearly all recorded music does. Sales are the exception not the rule, as Bad Lieutenant also found out (great songs on their releases as well). Any New Order Now release would get a lot more attention, but still probably not sell hugely: touring is essential for them to make everything make sense commercially. If Freebass had held it together and got offers of bigger gigs, then it might have worked for them, but from Mani's point of view, why bother when Primal Scream and the Roses will always get more attention gig wise. Hence Hooky touring old material: makes perfect sense for him to do something work wise that actually pays the bills. I hope we do get new material from everyone eventually, but they'll have to do it for love not money, it's the only way.

On the contrary,Freebass were offered some MASSIVE gigs including some of the biggest festivals in he world. Admittedly,they wouldnt have been headliners,but there you go. Rourkey "dropped" out due to logistical issues,which makes sense as he is based in New York. There were plans for Freebass to tour extensively,but as we all know mani put paid to that and the project was shelved.

NotAMod wrote:

wrote: you havent mentioned the two worlds collide/manray US promo CDR.

You telling me you aint got it?

Indeed I do and "The Singles" 3 track sampler CD-R. I quite like the Manray stuff actually, a lot more so than the Freebass LP.

This is the one i was on about.

http://www.discogs.com/release/2471741

I remember seeing Freebase at King Tuts in Glasgow with a certain Gazman and JG,and they were pants. I also remember a certain Mr JG, using the excuss to go and catch his train early Then there was some guy shouting Nu Ordah all night
So on that note i never got round to buying or stealing any of the Freebase material.

Its in the name it should have been made available for Free