New Order Not Set to Return Any Time Soon

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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