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New Order Not Set to Return Any Time Soon

PA

For a while it looked like New Order had been drawn to a close, but now it seems it's definitely all over, bar the shouting.

The Manchester legends, formed from the ashes of Joy Division after the loss of singer Ian Curtis, were interviewed separately, with their differences now appearing irreconcilable.

Drummer Stephen Morris told the Guardian, "There's no future for New Order. It's hard to draw a line under everything, but I think we have."

Bassist Peter Hook, the source of the dispute, was less diplomatic.

"The truth is Bernard's a t--- and he always has been," he said. "We're a bunch of fat old men arguing. It's pathetic really, but we're all happy to keep on doing it."

Frontman Bernard Sumner said, "Too many things have been said and done. We've spent all our life as an outfit with principles and ideals and what Peter has done goes against everything we've stood for."

The band have fallen out largely over two things: Hook's purchase of the Haçienda nightclub's name and brand, and Hook performing Joy Division covers in his new band the Light.

On those points, Hook responded in characteristic fashion.

"I've been going to weekly Haçienda meetings since 1986 -- Bernard's never been to one! Bernard's not cared about the Haçienda since 1982!"

On his playing old Joy Division songs, Hook said, "Oh b-------! Bernard never even liked playing old songs. He thought Joy Division were depressing. If I'd asked him for permission, they'd have told me to f--- off anyway."

Sumner sees it somewhat differently.

He said, "Everyone's entitled to start a tribute band. Peter could have done a lot of things and we could still be friends, but now he's taking our actual heritage just like he took the Haçienda. It's hardly surprising we're so angry about it."

Despite all the animosity between the two camps, it doesn't mean there's not a home for a future reunion. There still seems to be a lot of pride in what the band have done.

Hook said, "We did actually do something wonderful. And not just with one group, but with two. We were important to people. Kids were born and people were buried to our music. I know that our all bickering physically hurts the fans and destroys what they loved."

Despite those sentiments, it looks like it'll be a while before there is any ceasing of hostilities.

Watch New Order Perform 'Isolation'

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13 Comments

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mhsden

Oh no say it aint so I will never sleep again ugh

July 18 2011 at 6:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
boyzdntkry

People like John and others who like to post about never hearing of a band or artist whenever stories like this pop up are only making themselves look bad, exposing their ignorance for all to see. If you've never heard of New Order, you're not a fan of music. Period. I don't say that because I'm a fan (I am), but because they were a HUGE presence in pop and new wave music. There's more to music than Lady Gaga and Lil' Wayne.

July 18 2011 at 5:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
john

Who are these guys? Never heard of them. Manchester, England....uh I know Oasis, Man United, Man City, and some place on Kitchen NIghtmares with Gordon Ramsey. But who are these guys??

July 18 2011 at 4:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
VMP3080

Used to play over and over the song "Enough! It's never enough.. It's never enough until the heart stops bleeding.. The deeper you get... The harder the pain... blah blah...." Sorry to hear they are for sure breaking up. Guess I grew up. Didn't even know the lead singer died. Get over it old men! We are ALL OLD!

July 18 2011 at 3:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
drub100d

Confusion

July 18 2011 at 2:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
g27racing

Markhelfgott.. Maybe you have never heard of them, but plenty of people have. Great band with more than 1 hit.

July 18 2011 at 12:44 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
markhelfgott

Hey, great, another "hot" story about a band that nobody ever heard of or cared about. Keep up the good work.

July 18 2011 at 12:39 AM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
thetwoofus01

WHO REALLY CARES

July 17 2011 at 11:53 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
Your Highness

They're too old to be bickering over petty crap

July 17 2011 at 11:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LionWoods

it's a shame but it's VERY obvious that Peter Hook is bitter.....He knows that Sumner can continue to do New Order and Joy Division songs as well as before with Bad Leiutenant while Hook can only offer pale imitations. He should have thought about that before he left and broke up the band but his ego and big head got the best of him.

July 17 2011 at 11:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply