It’s been 18 years since Peter Hook parted ways with New Order, but the bassist still has some strong opinions about his former band. In a new interview, he says that the legendary UK act’s current live show sounds “like some weird, bad cover version of a New Order.”
Hook is performing New Order’s Get Ready, as well as other selections from New Order and Joy Division, on his 2025 tour with his band Peter Hook & The Light. A UK outing kicks off Thursday night (April 17th) in Bristol, England, while a North American leg launches May 22nd in Montreal (pick up tickets here).
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In the new interview with The i Paper, Hook revealed that he hasn’t spoken with New Order singer-guitarist Bernard Summer in 17 years. “As most reconciliations do, once you get over the euphoric honeymoon, you soon realize why you couldn’t fucking stick [to] them – and they, you,” said the bassist. “I’m not saying I’m Mr. Perfect.”
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He went on to lambaste his former band’s live performances, declaring, “I don’t think they’re New Order. They don’t sound like anything like them. I’ve watched them play songs [online] recently, and they’ve dropped the basslines and play it like some weird, bad cover version of a New Order track. So the animosity is obviously still there now.”
Hook, who ranks No. 17 on Consequence‘s list of the 100 Best Bassists of All Time, pointed out that fans have messaged him about New Order’s recent concerts. “They’re like, ‘You can’t hear the bass!’” He then sarcastically quipped, “Obviously, there is a certain smugness one could adopt. But I’m, obviously, way above all that,” acknowledging his own criticism of the band.
The bassist believes that Peter Hook & The Light are doing a better job of carrying on the legacy of Joy Division and New Order, for that matter, and has a response for people accusing of him engaging in a cash grab on his old bands. “‘Cashing in?’ That one amazed me,“ he noted. “Joy Division ended 30 years before [Peter Hook & The light formed]. I’m the worst fucking casher in-er ever in the world. If you’re going to cash in, you’d have done it a little bit before.”
Joy Division/New Order are nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. If they do get in, Hook thinks it could get a bit ugly at the ceremony. “I tell you, I’ll be there,” Hook said. “But I think I might be on my own … I believe [organizers would try] to buy a boxing ring and three pairs of gloves. Straight to MMA!”
Meanwhile, New Order have a couple of US festival gigs coming up, one May 15th at the Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the other May 17th at Cruel World in Pasadena, California.
Content shared from consequence.net.