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Interview with Peter Hook in today's London Metro edition
Legs akimbo and driving riffs, bass slung so low it almost scrapes the ground, it could only be the God-like genius of New Order's Peter Hook. In the 28 years since they began as Joy Division, they've gone through love and hate and boom and bust as Factory's Tony Wilson spent their cash. But the band's appetite remains fierce, with a new single, Krafty, out today and an album on the way.
There was a time when it looked like you'd never do more New Order. Now we've had two albums in a couple of years. What changed?
It's funny - it's a bit like a family at Christmas. You don't see them for ages and then you get there and just click back into things. While we were apart, we went through some pretty bad stuff and we were finished. But we sorted out all the problems with what happened with Factory and the Hacienda and were suddenly free of it. It enabled us to look at things more calmly. We all met up when our manager, Rob Gretton, was sick - God rest his soul. When we got together, we realised we'd healed.
There was a time when it looked like you'd never do more New Order. Now we've had two albums in a couple of years. What changed?
It's funny - it's a bit like a family at Christmas. You don't see them for ages and then you get there and just click back into things. While we were apart, we went through some pretty bad stuff and we were finished. But we sorted out all the problems with what happened with Factory and the Hacienda and were suddenly free of it. It enabled us to look at things more calmly. We all met up when our manager, Rob Gretton, was sick - God rest his soul. When we got together, we realised we'd healed.
Legs akimbo and driving riffs, bass slung so low it almost scrapes the ground, it could only be the God-like genius of New Order's Peter Hook. In the 28 years since they began as Joy Division, they've gone through love and hate and boom and bust as Factory's Tony Wilson spent their cash. But the band's appetite remains fierce, with a new single, Krafty, out today and an album on the way.
There was a time when it looked like you'd never do more New Order. Now we've had two albums in a couple of years. What changed?
It's funny - it's a bit like a family at Christmas. You don't see them for ages and then you get there and just click back into things. While we were apart, we went through some pretty bad stuff and we were finished. But we sorted out all the problems with what happened with Factory and the Hacienda and were suddenly free of it. It enabled us to look at things more calmly. We all met up when our manager, Rob Gretton, was sick - God rest his soul. When we got together, we realised we'd healed.
Are you finally making some money out of it?
It's quite strange, that was the main problem I had. We'd go to the Brits and be knocking around with the likes of Bono and Robbie Williams and because we did it our way, we were skint. But it's like Tony Wilson said: 'You can't buy class.'
Would you change anything from that period?
The virtue of change means you wouldn't be where you are now. And I wouldn't swap where I am now for anything. This is the happiest I've ever been, the kids are wonderful and life is amazing.
Does it get harder to write tunes or easier the longer you go on?
It never gets easier or harder. In 1977, when we wrote Love Will Tear Us Apart, it took us three hours. On the new album some took an afternoon and some took months. You can't get complacent, we know it's difficult and always look toward that but if it comes easy, we sit back and thank our lucky stars.
Will Gillian [Gilbert] be back and how's her replacement, Phil Cunningham, fitting in?
Gillian won't be back. She's very happy doing the most important thing in life and that is looking after her family. Phil's great - it's always nice to take on a school-leaver.
A bit like a New Order YTS scheme?
Exactly. We only got him in to bring the average age of the band down. He's written on this album and that was strange, we've held writing very dear and kept it close to our chest. But if you get on with someone and you are coming from the same place, it's not too difficult. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he's as daft as a brush and eternally optimistic. He fits in with New Order very well.
We made all the mistakes together and everything that happened was all of our faults
Why is there not tons of radio play from the new album?
We've had to keep it close and keep it away from the Internet so it doesn't get bootlegged. We're just starting to do all the press now but we are very happy with it. The fact we are still able to be at it 28 years later is either a great compliment to the British public or a great compliment to ourselves that we have managed to fool them.
New bands cite you as an influence. What's your advice?
Don't work with Tony Wilson.
Do you still talk to him?
Of course. We are very close. If he had taken the money, pissed off to Brazil and blown it on cocaine and hookers it may have been different but the fact that he didn't... well, we were all in it together. We made the mistakes together and everything that happened was all of our faults. My accountant says to me: 'You will never truly regret that loss until you are skint.' I'm going to hope and pray I carry on working so I won't end up as the sad old drunk in the corner wailing about: 'That Dry Bar and The Hacienda and that f****in' Factory building.'
How do you feel about the Hacienda now it's been turned into flats?
I love the fact that it's gone. Richard Branson wanted to buy it and that would have been heartbreaking. It would have been like seeing your girlfriend out with another bloke. And I always thought that was one thing you should do with exes - bury them at the bottom of the garden. Life would be so much simpler. Whenever I see the building now, I am delighted.
Has [singer] Barney ever invited you on his yacht?
He keeps asking but I'm f**ked if I will go anywhere with him at the steering wheel. No chance. I couldn't imagine anything weirder than having him in command of a yacht. I've an irrational fear of water anyway. He keeps trying to get me out with the nicest of invitations but... NO.
What's the ideal strap-length for a bass guitar?
As long as possible. Take two normal ones, strap them together and then you are getting near.
Barney said you hang it so low because you have a small willy.
He's probably right. I always thought there was some subconscious thing that I was trying to get away from somehow. It's been copied loads and as my mother once said: 'You need a gimmick, our Peter.'
Are you fed up of Blue Monday yet?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt.
What did you think of Kylie's version?
Absolutely amazing. The funny thing was everyone omitted to tell me she was doing it so I was watching TV and it blew me off the bloody chair. The greatest thing is, half way through my best mate phoned me up and said: 'That Kylie Minogue ain't half ripping you guys off.' Bless him.
There was a time when it looked like you'd never do more New Order. Now we've had two albums in a couple of years. What changed?
It's funny - it's a bit like a family at Christmas. You don't see them for ages and then you get there and just click back into things. While we were apart, we went through some pretty bad stuff and we were finished. But we sorted out all the problems with what happened with Factory and the Hacienda and were suddenly free of it. It enabled us to look at things more calmly. We all met up when our manager, Rob Gretton, was sick - God rest his soul. When we got together, we realised we'd healed.
Are you finally making some money out of it?
It's quite strange, that was the main problem I had. We'd go to the Brits and be knocking around with the likes of Bono and Robbie Williams and because we did it our way, we were skint. But it's like Tony Wilson said: 'You can't buy class.'
Would you change anything from that period?
The virtue of change means you wouldn't be where you are now. And I wouldn't swap where I am now for anything. This is the happiest I've ever been, the kids are wonderful and life is amazing.
Does it get harder to write tunes or easier the longer you go on?
It never gets easier or harder. In 1977, when we wrote Love Will Tear Us Apart, it took us three hours. On the new album some took an afternoon and some took months. You can't get complacent, we know it's difficult and always look toward that but if it comes easy, we sit back and thank our lucky stars.
Will Gillian [Gilbert] be back and how's her replacement, Phil Cunningham, fitting in?
Gillian won't be back. She's very happy doing the most important thing in life and that is looking after her family. Phil's great - it's always nice to take on a school-leaver.
A bit like a New Order YTS scheme?
Exactly. We only got him in to bring the average age of the band down. He's written on this album and that was strange, we've held writing very dear and kept it close to our chest. But if you get on with someone and you are coming from the same place, it's not too difficult. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he's as daft as a brush and eternally optimistic. He fits in with New Order very well.
We made all the mistakes together and everything that happened was all of our faults
Why is there not tons of radio play from the new album?
We've had to keep it close and keep it away from the Internet so it doesn't get bootlegged. We're just starting to do all the press now but we are very happy with it. The fact we are still able to be at it 28 years later is either a great compliment to the British public or a great compliment to ourselves that we have managed to fool them.
New bands cite you as an influence. What's your advice?
Don't work with Tony Wilson.
Do you still talk to him?
Of course. We are very close. If he had taken the money, pissed off to Brazil and blown it on cocaine and hookers it may have been different but the fact that he didn't... well, we were all in it together. We made the mistakes together and everything that happened was all of our faults. My accountant says to me: 'You will never truly regret that loss until you are skint.' I'm going to hope and pray I carry on working so I won't end up as the sad old drunk in the corner wailing about: 'That Dry Bar and The Hacienda and that f****in' Factory building.'
How do you feel about the Hacienda now it's been turned into flats?
I love the fact that it's gone. Richard Branson wanted to buy it and that would have been heartbreaking. It would have been like seeing your girlfriend out with another bloke. And I always thought that was one thing you should do with exes - bury them at the bottom of the garden. Life would be so much simpler. Whenever I see the building now, I am delighted.
Has [singer] Barney ever invited you on his yacht?
He keeps asking but I'm f**ked if I will go anywhere with him at the steering wheel. No chance. I couldn't imagine anything weirder than having him in command of a yacht. I've an irrational fear of water anyway. He keeps trying to get me out with the nicest of invitations but... NO.
What's the ideal strap-length for a bass guitar?
As long as possible. Take two normal ones, strap them together and then you are getting near.
Barney said you hang it so low because you have a small willy.
He's probably right. I always thought there was some subconscious thing that I was trying to get away from somehow. It's been copied loads and as my mother once said: 'You need a gimmick, our Peter.'
Are you fed up of Blue Monday yet?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt.
What did you think of Kylie's version?
Absolutely amazing. The funny thing was everyone omitted to tell me she was doing it so I was watching TV and it blew me off the bloody chair. The greatest thing is, half way through my best mate phoned me up and said: 'That Kylie Minogue ain't half ripping you guys off.' Bless him.
From the NewOrderOnline archive.
