Freebass Announce EP, Album and Gigs

Five years after forming and months of promising records that have failed to materialise, Freebass -- the Mancunian supergroup made up of low-end slingers Peter Hook [pictured] of New Order, Mani (the Stone Roses/Primal Scream) and the Smiths' Andy Rourke -- have finally announced release details of their debut EP, album and live dates.

The 'Two Worlds Collide' EP is set to feature a host of guest vocalists including the Charlatans' Tim Burgess, Wah! lynchpin Pete Wylie and former drug smuggler-turned-raconteur Howard Marks. The album also features singer Gary Briggs.

Speaking of the band's prolonged gestation, Hook told BBC 6 Music, "The problem with it was that when it started, we had a lot of time on our hands -- Mani, Rourkey and I. And then as soon as we started it, our respective band leaders, in their wisdom, decided to work. So it's had a lot of false starts."

The hectic schedules of the principle players also meant that Freebase lost out on the singing talents of some highly desirable guest vocalists including Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan and one-time Stone Roses singer Ian Brown.

"We asked them but we're all jobbing musicians so it's impossible to fit it in," explained Hook,

The 'Two Worlds Collide' EP is available for download on the Hacienda website now. The as-yet-untitled album is expected to land in April.

Freebass have also announced details of their first two live shows. They play:

London 100 Club (June 1)
Manchester Factory 251 (June 3)