Hi sorry if this has been brought up before but I ran across this on Wikipedia and yeah I'm a twot for paying attention to that free-for-all site, I was just curious if there's any truth in it: 'In 2000, tensions mounted in the studio, partly due Potts' dissatisfaction with the band's failure to depart from a New Order-like sound, and partly due to Potts' workload. Following what Potts called "a disastrous gig" at the Eclipse festival, Hook and Potts had a major argument. They both took a break, and after letting things cool down, they met and decided it was best to split up Monaco.' ... Course I don't know, but it seems odd Hooky arguing with Potts. There were 'Roll Up' and 'Oxjam' after this.
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Hooky v Pottsy?!
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There was a backstage argument I believe during the 2000 tour but it wasn't the sole reason for Monaco breaking up. There were a number of reasons centring around musical differences and the rather large/looming shadow of New Order reappearing post-1998 which definitely helped put the final nail in the band's coffin.
Also Monaco's record label (Chrysalis/Papillon) at the time of the second album were fucking useless. They didn't bother promoting the album properly and so it duly died a death in the charts. Instantly. I should know as I was doing the official site at the time and I had to hassle the label incessantly before I got a single promotional copy of the album let alone any artwork reproductions to use on the site. Even then the album promo was defective. They were useless and I don't think they really gave a shit. Which is fair enough but don't sign the band if you're not interested in pushing the album to the best of your abilities. That's what irked me and no doubt the band themselves; such a waste.
Personally, I reckon Hooky and Pottsy decided that the creative partnership had maybe run it's course in the space of a decade and with New Order re-emerging it was a good time to knock it on the head and end on a high. Or at least that's what I think. Pottsy was very keen to branch out with his solo stuff and some of it is well worth checking out, he was exactly what Hooky needed in 91/92: a talented songwriter.
They're clearly still mates though as with all the one-off stuff they've done since 2006ish.
Douglas Reynholm wrote: he was exactly what Hooky needed in 91/92: a talented songwriter.
and still needs
Thanks for the insight Douglas. You're absolutely right, 'Monaco' was appalingly promoted, in fact I was hoping Hook would do the 'One True Passion V2.0'-esque reworking (http://www.neworderonline.com/Forums/MessageList.aspx?ThreadID=37132) but...
To my recollection -- which may be way off-- didn't NO pop up right after the second Monaco album came out? It seemed close enough that the new order reunion must have been known to everyone by the time the second LP hit shelves, so why flog it very hard.
Yes it was 2000 when NO were back in action, but that's no excuse for Chrysalis' poor promotional job. Surley Monaco was Hooky's return to form, far stronger than Revenge who in my opinion made only one good record 'Gun World Porn'.
Shakin' Baker wrote: To my recollection -- which may be way off-- didn't NO pop up right after the second Monaco album came out? It seemed close enough that the new order reunion must have been known to everyone by the time the second LP hit shelves, so why flog it very hard.
It's not unbelievable.
The second album was basically finished in '99 not long after NO's live return but was not released until 2000 due to various label wrangling. Their first label Polydor initially wanted and were reported to be happy with the album's progress but upon completion rejected it in favour of the more plastic pop boy/girl bands permeating the charts at the time. I think the band had to shop the record around a bit before Chrysalis picked it up. They were in-between different managers as well at the time which probably had an impact. Hooky quipped in one of the Papillon press releases that he was delighted to be on Cliff Richard's label and rather tongue in cheekily hoped to work with him at some point.
As for the record itself I do like it but not as much as Music For Pleasure. "Monaco" is certainly more consistent and the songs are pretty skilfully put together but it can lack the spark and vibrancy of MFP in places. Occasionally I revisit it on the iPod these days and it's a solid listen with songs like "A Life Apart" and "End Of The World" standing out. It certainly blows the recent Freebass album out of the water and then some.
It's one of those underrated ones and with the mothership (NO) back on the scene never really stood a chance. Nor did the band really. Shame.
Monaco's first 1997 Music For Pleasure album was THE true missing link between Technique and Get Ready in my view. And yet its timing was slap bang in the middle of the 8 year gap between Republic [1993] and Get Ready [2001], which was kind of fitting really. MFP did well because fans wanted to hear the sound of Hooky's bass again.....after having had it airbrushed out of existence with the soporifically bland Republic....so what better than a record which sounded to all intents and purposes just like New Order...and pretty eclectic and diverse with it into the bargain (no two tracks sounded the same on the UK release which I thought was pretty neat)??
Consider the comparison:
Track 1 could be Age Of Consent Track 2 could be Regret Track 3 could be World - Perfecto Mix Track 4 could be Oasis (whooops!) Track 5 pre-empted Run Wild Track 6 could be Round & Round Track 7 could be an updated and re-strung We All Stand Track 8 could be the precursor to 60 MPH Track 9 could be Special Track 10 could be Elegia revisited
There was no doubt that Monaco at that time (1997) was a far more successful commercial venture than the final Electronic album Twisted Tenderness a couple of years later.....
IT's just a shame that by the time of the overpolished second album in 2000, all sorts of problems had resulted in it sinking without trace (including the fiasco over the lead single "I've Got A Feeling" - which didn't even come out did it??)...... and New Order were on the verge of returning with Get Ready anyway.....
Oh - best song on "Monaco" (and should have been the first single, if it was better edited and sequenced) is "Kashmere"..... more than a nod to "Run" on the bass line as well. Such an underrated song with a killer chorus.
By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote:
IT's just a shame that by the time of the overpolished second album in 2000, all sorts of problems had resulted in it sinking without trace (including the fiasco over the lead single "I've Got A Feeling" - which didn't even come out did it??)......
I don't think it did no, but the video is kicking about the Internet... one of the funniest things I've seen. 
By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote: ... the lead single "I've Got A Feeling" - which didn't even come out did it??).....
some were released but pulled off the shelves!
everyoneverywhere wrote:
By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote:
IT's just a shame that by the time of the overpolished second album in 2000, all sorts of problems had resulted in it sinking without trace (including the fiasco over the lead single "I've Got A Feeling" - which didn't even come out did it??)......
I don't think it did no, but the video is kicking about the Internet... one of the funniest things I've seen.
