New Order will reform to play two benefit shows in aid of film-maker Michael Shamberg next month, but without Peter Hook.
If and when New Order actually split is debatable, of course. Hook first insisted the band were no more in 2007, though his bandmates Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner said otherwise. The latter, however, did then say in 2009 that there would be no more New Order records.
For the benefit shows Sumner and Morris will be joined by long-term keyboardist Gillian Gilbert, who stepped back from the band to look after her and Morris’s children in 2001. Phil Cunningham, who replaced Gilbert, will also take part, on guitar, while Tom Chapman from Sumner and Morris’s new band Bad Lieutenant will fill in for Hook on bass.
Confirming the fund-raising shows, which will take place in Brussels and Paris next month, Sumner told 6music: “Michael has been with us from the very start, initially he was in charge of Factory New York, then became creative producer for all our early videos. He brought our attention to the early works of directors such as Kathryn Bigelow, Gina Birch, Robert Breer, Peter Care and Phillipe Decouflé. Michael is very ill and needs constant medical attention. We want to help him, and these shows will contribute financial support towards his ongoing care”.
Peter Hook has today released a statement about the reformation, and its fair to say he doesn’t sound best pleased. But surely he’s too busy with his ‘other projects’ anyway?! Here’s what the Hookster had to say:
“I first I heard about this on Monday and it has taken me completely by surprise! Everyone knows that NEW ORDER without PETER HOOK is like QUEEN without FREDDIE MERCURY, U2 without THE EDGE, SOOTY without SWEEP!
On a more serious note, I do not understand the decision THE OTHER THREE have taken. I wish they had approached me first. I do not agree with the methods they have used and feel it would have been courteous and professional to have spoken to me in advance of the announcements. It is very sad.
Love PETER HOOK x Sept ‘11”
http://www.peterhook.co.uk/#/news/peter-hook-responds-to-this-week-s-events
