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Posted on NewOrderOnline
Oct 21, 2010

Peter Hook Exclusive (GQ Magazine)

What many people don't know about Mancunians - especially close-knit families - is they're perpetually falling out with each other, often over the most trivial matters. Manchester, musically, is a bickering family, and Uncle Peter Hook and Uncle Mani are the latest to have endured a meltdown. Hook is currently in Australia playing Joy Division material as part of his worldwide Unknown Pleasures 30th anniversary tour.

Written by Adam Simpson / Stereoboard

It is with sadness that I write this album review, as Freebass announce that they have split, just days before they finally release their debut album, It’s A Beautiful Life, some six years since the Freebass concept was formed.

The original formula of three Manc bass playing legends, never quite came off as expected, with Andy Rourke, formally of The Smiths moving to New York in 2009, however he does appear on this record. But to put Peter Hook “Hooky” of Joy Division and New Order, Gary Mounfield “Mani” of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream and Andy Rourke “Rourkie” of The Smiths together and you have something rather special in my opinion.

"It's like siphoning petrol - sometimes it can blow up in your face." - Peter Hook

Manchester's All-Star Bassist uber-group Freebass, consisting of New Order's Peter Hook, The Stone Roses' Mani Mounfield and The Smiths' Andy Rourke, only weeks before the release of their LP, have issued a statement confirming that they are no longer set to continue as a band.

"Recent events have made Freebass entirely unviable as a band, and with this in mind, it has been decided that the project should be shelved, rather than placed on hiatus while members pursue their other interests. The band would like to take the opportunity to thank friends and fans for their support and interest, especially on the UK tour in June 2010. We also hope that people will enjoy the album, which concludes five years of work and treat it on its own merits. No third parties were involved or harmed in the break up."

The band's debut, 'Two Worlds Collide EP' was released a month ago through a partnership with Hook's new label Hacienda Records & US indie 24 Hour Service Station. The EP featured guest vocalist Tim Burgess of The Charlatans UK, Pete Wylie, Howard Marks & Hook himself. A digital single, "You Don't Know This About Me", featuring vocals from Burgess and remixes from legendary producer & remixer Arthur Baker appeared at the same time.

Freebass' debut album 'It's A Beautiful Life' is scheduled to be released in Europe later this month and worldwide December 7th by 24 Hour Service Station with a bonus disc including the Baker remixes, the 'Freebass Redesign' EP from The Beatles 'HATE' producer Fritz von Runte, and instrumental versions of the 'Two Worlds Collide EP'.