This week's news that English outfit New Order were getting back together after a four-year layover came as a shock to some, especially former bassist and co-founder Peter Hook, who was not asked to rejoin the group. While a few years back Hooky threatened Bernard Sumner and co. if they continued without him, it seems as if the four-stringer won't be marking his disappointment with a lawsuit, just some sarcastic words.
A post on the musician's website reads:
"I first I heard about this on Monday and it has taken me completely by surprise! Everyone knows that NEW ORDER without PETER HOOK is like QUEEN without FREDDIE MERCURY, U2 without THE EDGE, SOOTY without SWEEP!"
While Hook was clearly taking the piss with his comments, he was still disappointed at the methods singer-guitarist Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris and keyboardist-guitarist Gillian Gilbert went about filling out the rest of the current five-piece lineup.
"I wish they had approached me first," Hook wrote. "I do not agree with the methods they have used and feel it would have been courteous and professional to have spoken to me in advance of the announcements. It is very sad."
An interview with Consequence of Sound further explains Hook's position, adding that he's not too concerned about the unit using the New Order name because he feels fans will see through the charade.
"It's odd, after five years apart... them using the New Order name doesn't actually bother me, because I feel people are intelligent enough to know that it's not New Order," he said.
The key here is that he would have given the troupe his blessing had he been asked.
"I would never stop them from playing and if they came to me and said, 'We're going to play all the New Order stuff,' I'd say, 'Fucking great! Those songs are fantastic! Fucking get out and do it. If you enjoy it as much as I do doing the Joy Division stuff -- you're going to have a great time.' That's what I would have said."
Hook is currently prepping for a tour performing Joy Division's Closer and Unknown Pleasures with his band the Light.
A post on the musician's website reads:
"I first I heard about this on Monday and it has taken me completely by surprise! Everyone knows that NEW ORDER without PETER HOOK is like QUEEN without FREDDIE MERCURY, U2 without THE EDGE, SOOTY without SWEEP!"
While Hook was clearly taking the piss with his comments, he was still disappointed at the methods singer-guitarist Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris and keyboardist-guitarist Gillian Gilbert went about filling out the rest of the current five-piece lineup.
"I wish they had approached me first," Hook wrote. "I do not agree with the methods they have used and feel it would have been courteous and professional to have spoken to me in advance of the announcements. It is very sad."
An interview with Consequence of Sound further explains Hook's position, adding that he's not too concerned about the unit using the New Order name because he feels fans will see through the charade.
"It's odd, after five years apart... them using the New Order name doesn't actually bother me, because I feel people are intelligent enough to know that it's not New Order," he said.
The key here is that he would have given the troupe his blessing had he been asked.
"I would never stop them from playing and if they came to me and said, 'We're going to play all the New Order stuff,' I'd say, 'Fucking great! Those songs are fantastic! Fucking get out and do it. If you enjoy it as much as I do doing the Joy Division stuff -- you're going to have a great time.' That's what I would have said."
Hook is currently prepping for a tour performing Joy Division's Closer and Unknown Pleasures with his band the Light.
