Peter Hook admits “animosity still there” with New Order
Peter Hook, the former bassist of New Order who departed in 2007 due to frictions in the band, has claimed there is still “animosity”.
Hook was a co-founding member of Joy Division, who changed their name after the untimely death of frontman Ian Curtis. Hook departed due to inner-group feuding, and a row over royalties which was fully settled in 2017.
A new interview with The i Paper saw Hook share his thoughts on the latest New Order music, who have since replaced his slot with Tom Chapman. “They don’t sound anything like [New Order],” he told the publication.
Hook also talked of watching the band online. Their new versions have less bass; according to Hook, who also said they play the tunes “like some weird, bad cover version of a New Order track.”
He isn’t the only listener who thinks things have changed, according to the bassist. Hook reported that he receives online messages from fans, complaining that “‘You can’t hear the bass!’. Obviously, there is a certain smugness one could adopt,” Hook mused. “But I’m, obviously, way above all that.”
Hook added: “So the animosity is obviously still there now.” He went on to joke about an upcoming ceremony that could potentially see Hook reunited with his former bandmates. “I believe they tried to buy a boxing ring and three pairs of gloves. Straight to MMA!”
However, the bassist still performs as Peter Hook and The Light, and happily plays both New Order and Joy Division tracks. This week, his band will play Get Ready, the 2001 New Order album, in full on a short run of UK gigs.
His former bandmates are yet to comment on Hook’s remarks.
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