New Order are currently planning a US tour, Peter Hook has a vein in his head that’s about to explode

The story of New Order is one filled with sadness, grief, loss and success. But most importantly, it’s just fucking hilarious. The band recently announced they would be playing two charity shows later this year, angering bassist Peter Hook because they didn’t consult or ask him about it--presumably because he was too busy playing Joy Division songs without any members of Joy Division (irony, sweet irony). Though this is far from the first time New Order have split up only to reform shortly thereafter, the outlook of a full on reunion in the near future is grim. And if the recent bickering between Peter Hook and frontman Bernard Sumner is any indication, it’s safe to say that Hooky will never share the stage with his old band ever again.

While I’m excited at the idea of seeing New Order live in the US, I’m much more anxious to see how Peter Hook intends to fuck over the band in any possible way he can. That’s right, he actually said that. Read the full statement over at NME. He also called them dickheads and that if “they think they’re going to scuffle off to a cabin in the woods, they’ve got another thing coming.” Now just picture that for a second. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert are hanging out in a cabin preparing dinner and discussing how great they are, when suddenly a shirtless and furious Peter Hook kicks in the door and pulls Gillian’s arms out of her sockets. Amazing.

The important thing here is that Hooky says the idea of New Order reforming simply for charity is “bullocks” and that they are currently trying to book a US tour. And thus, the vein in Peter Hook’s head is one step closer to full on rupture. We’ll be keeping a close watch on that vein, as well as any announcement of New Order tour dates.

Photos/Review: Peter Hook & The Light @ Gramercy Theatre

Peter Hook & The Light @ Gramercy Theatre - September 13, 2011
Photos: Chris / Review: Tommy Ciganko

The bass player of an iconic rock band forms a new band 30 years later with the sole purpose of performing the music of his past. Sounds destined for a Las Vegas revue. Complicating issues, the new band has to take in to account the specter of the enigmatic singer whose death ended the band in its prime, as well as the animosity of the other surviving members. Now we have the makings of a disaster.

Fortunately, Peter Hook and the Light avoided disaster and were miles from a Vegas revue with their Tuesday night performance at the Gramercy Theatre. Part revival, part cover band, Peter Hook and the Light took on the legend of Hook’s early career with Joy Division, performing the album Closer, with additional pieces as encores. Styled with a faux-hawk and Union Jack T-shirt, Hook appeared the aging punk on stage. The image was somewhat reminiscent of a latter day Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. The original members of the Sex Pistols have reunited periodically to tour, unabashedly, for the money. Hook’s post Joy Division career, a little band called New Order, likely ensures that this tour is not a money run. Peter Hook and the Light seem to be in it for the music.

To say that the Image of Ian Curtis, Joy Division’s enigmatic singer, looms heavy over the legend of Joy Division is putting it mildly. The audience at the Gramercy Theatre had a fair share of Curtis devotees. Some would consider Joy Division’s material to be sacred ground--to be treated cautiously especially by those closest to it. However, Peter Hook’s contribution to Joy Division’s unique sound is as important as Ian Curtis’s voice and lyrics. With Peter Hook and the Light, Hook could be making a case for his share of the Joy Division mystique, but he avoids that temptation by presenting the music in a straight forward fashion, giving the majority of the bass duties to his band while taking on the vocals himself. With a tight band injecting energy and passion in to the music, Hook appeared, if not loose, relaxed and engaged at the microphone. On the subject of the vocals, Hook’s performance was a balance between respect and homage to Curtis, and personal passion.

The opening of the show was a short video - part documentary, part music video – which seemed an attempt to place the Joy Division legend in to context. At roughly 20 minutes, the video was superfluous given that the audience, most of whom were born after Joy Division dissolved into New Order, knew the words to every song and the tale behind the legend. Conjuring up the spirit of Curtis was unnecessary as he is infused in to Joy Division’s music no matter who performs it. Peter Hook and the Light performed with passion and dignity, faux-hawk notwithstanding.

Below, check out a full set of photos of last night's show, in addition to a video of Peter Hook pausing "Atmosphere" midway to yell at some annoying crowd members...

This Week's Nostalgia (9/12-9/18)

Quite an exhausting week for me personally, but not exactly the fullest week for shows here in New York City. However, we did get to check out Les Savy Fav at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday, as well as the free Patti Smith show at Webster Hall on Thursday. I also saw TV on the Radio but haven’t had a chance to post my review yet (travelling to/from a wedding takes more time and energy than you’d think). There’s some interesting/weird things coming up this week though…

Blondie @ Highline Ballroom

Monday, September 12 / Tuesday, September 13

Talking Heads, The Ramones, Television… and Blondie. Those were the most popular bands that devised the NYC punk scene at CBGB’s in the late seventies. Of that school, Blondie have been the most consistent in releasing new material and touring over the past few decades, trumped only by the occasional recent Richard Lloyd-less Television performances. Honestly, the last time I saw a live Blondie performance it was on VH1 in 1999, and I was mostly watching because my friend Jamie was chosen to fill out the crowd (she dressed like a typical teenage punk girl. I assume that was just the kind of credibility VH1 was going for). So while I couldn’t tell you how good/bad these shows could be, it’s probably a safe bet that they will play “Heart of Glass” and possibly “The Tide Is High” if you clap hard enough (or not). Tickets are available for $72. Seventy-two motherfucking dollars. Um, have fun.

Peter Hook & The Light @ Gramercy Theatre

Tuesday, September 13

Moved from the original venue of Irving Plaza, Peter Hook and his new band The Light will be performing Joy Division’s Closer in its entirety on Tuesday night at Gramercy Theatre. If the idea of a bassist performing the songs of a band he was in whose singer tragically committed suicide, then you may not get a kick out of this show. But if you’re still filled with rage that you never got the chance to see Joy Division live, then this may be the next best thing for your aching heart. Reviews of the show have been surprisingly ecstatic, despite public outcry of blasphemy. And who knows, now that New Order has pissed off Hooky by reforming behind his back, he may even take a jab at his old bandmates. We can only hope. Tickets are still on sale.

Sloan @ The Bell House / Bowery Ballroom

Tuesday, September 13 / Thursday, September 15 / Friday, September 16

We were lucky enough to cover Sloan’s recent show at Bowery Ballroom in July, and I’m excited to see the Canadian rock band is back in New York City so soon. Their most recent album The Double Cross is a solid collection of anthemic power pop tunes, and a surprising later addition to their discography. Only a handful of bands can nail the late-career critically acclaimed record, but Sloan pulled it off seamlessly. Do be sure to check out The Bell House show in Brooklyn or Bowery Ballroom on Thursday, but if you’re in the mood for a more intimate setting, head over to Hoboken’s Maxwell’s on Friday for what is sure to be a memorable night. Tickets are still on sale for all three shows.

The Big Four (Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica) @ Yankee Stadium

Wednesday, September 14

What the shit? This is actually happening. At Yankee Stadium. Weird. You can actually still get decent seats if you don't mind dropping $134. Let us know how this goes.

Not exactly in the realm of nostalgia, but worth mentioning: Swedish indie rock trio Peter Bjorn and John are doing a tour of New York City of sorts, hitting nearly every mid-sized club in New York City (or at least the ones Bowery Presents book). Check out tickets here, the shows start tomorrow night at Brooklyn Bowl (which is sold out, with limited admission at doors).

That's all for this week. Check out our playlist for This Week's Nostalgia over on Spotify. If there's any shows you feel we missed, please let us know in the comments below. Until next week...

Peter Hook & The Light show moved to Gramercy Theatre, New Order reforms without Peter Hook

Peter Hook, former bassist of the extremely influential Joy Division and New Order, is about to begin a tour with his new band The Light covering Joy Division’s Closer, and even Unknown Pleasures on select dates. The tour is controversial to say the least, and in a great recent interview with our friends Slicing Up Eyeballs, Hook even admits to reading some of the vile comments written about him on BrooklynVegan. None of the controversy has persuaded him to stop the tour however, and Peter Hook & The Light will be here in New York City on September 13 at Gramercy Theatre, moved from the previously announced Irving Plaza. Tickets are still available.

In related news, aside from the previously mentioned new tracks they’re about to release, New Order has announced a reunion of sorts to raise money for friend and filmmaker Michael Shamberg who has been suffering from a serious illness. The catch is… Peter Hook will not be a part of it. The good news is that original keyboardist Gillian Gilbert will be a part of it after a ten year absence, along with Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris. The concerts will take place in Brussels on October 17 and Paris on October 18. Good luck making it into those.

Peter Hook’s tour dates (see below) do leave the door open for him to make up with his former bandmates in time for the October benefit shows, but I’m thinking that’s unlikely to happen…

New Order Releasing Seven Additional Songs From Waiting For The Sirens Call Sessions

FN favorites New Order had a long and storied career that has unfortunately been paired with a long and acrimonious post-breakup feud. However, according to our friends over at Slicing Up Eyeballs, former bassist Peter Hook has revealed that the New Wave pioneers have agreed to release seven outtakes from the recording sessions for their last studio album, 2005's Waiting For The Sirens' Call, in order to help finalize the split.

Part of the reason behind the decision to release these tracks now, Hooky says, was the inclusion of one of the outtakes, "Hellbent," on the recent Joy Division / New Order compilation Total. While it still remains to be seen exactly how the former bandmates will release the material, Hook is "delighted" with the decision to finally put these long-rumored tracks out in public.

Check out Slicing Up Eyeballs for more of Peter Hook's thoughts on the matter, and be sure to check back again for their full interview with him next week in advance of his upcoming U.S. tour with The Light. And in case you haven't picked up Total yet, you can stream the aforementioned "Hellbent" after the jump along with  Sirens' Call single "Krafty."