The Guardian has recently posted an incredible story featuring the members of New Order talking about the events that led to their break up after twenty years together:
“The truth is,” says Peter Hook, the bassist first in Joy Division and then New Order, “Bernard’s a twat and he always has been.”
“Too many things have been said and done,” nods Bernard Sumner, the “twat” of Hook’s complaint. “We’ve spent all our life as an outfit with principles and ideals and what Peter” – Sumner makes a face like some appalling insect has just flown into his mouth – “has done goes against everything we’ve stood for.”
So I put Hook’s crimes to him. First, the rest of the band has a deep-seated problem with him buying the rights to the name and brand of the Haçienda, the old Factory records nightclub, while he was still working with them. (“The writing was on the wall from that point,” Sumner had said.)
Hook laughs out loud, and doesn’t stop for some time. “That’s hilarious! I’ve been going to weekly Haçienda meetings since 1986 – Bernard’s never been to one! Rob Gretton [the band’s manager] knew we should buy the name and rights and I gave him £5,000 to do it. No one else was ever interested for 10 years until the first compilation album was released [The Best of New Order, in 1994]. Bernard’s not cared about the Haçienda since 1982!”
Read the whole story here.
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