Bernard Sumner and Steven Morris, the other two* in the nasty in-fight that has Peter Hook claiming New Order's demise, have issued a statement to news outlets stating that they aren't breaking up after all. It just seems that if Hook, responsible for New Order's signature bass guitar sound, doesn't want to be a part of it, he doesn't have to be.
According to the press release: "After 30 years in a band together we are very disappointed that Hooky has decided to go to the press and announce unilaterally that New Order have split up. We would have hoped that he could have approached us personally first. He does not speak for all the band, therefore we can only assume he no longer wants to be a part of New Order."
Now, I'm of the opinion that New Order without Peter Hook is no more New Order than Joy Division was Joy Division without Ian Curtis. There was, neccesarily, a name change. Of course, New Order has become as much a brand as a band these days.
Bah. New Order have split up before. And really, after 30 years (and steadily diminishing returns over the past two decades,) maybe it is time to throw in the towel. Hook has been very vocal about "never working with Bernard again," and has called both Sumner and Morris "lazy" in interviews with the English press and on his Myspace blog, and he seems pretty serious.
Or maybe, Hook and the others can bury the hatchet once again. Whatever happens, Hooky, please don't bring back Revenge.
*Yes, that was fully intended.
