chapter-and-verse

Peter Hook reviews former New Order bandmate Bernard Sumner's new autobiography ("disappointing")

by Bill Pearis

(via ‘Billboard‘)
Sumner

As mentioned, New Order singer Bernard Sumner has just released autobiography Chapter & Verse (which some retailers are listing the title as Divided Joy: Chapter & Verse) that goes from his childhood through his time in Joy Division and New Order, including his contentious relationship with ex-bassist Peter Hook. Billboard has a review of the book up today, written by… Peter Hook who, unsurprisingly, didn’t think much of it and found “a disappointing lack of revelation and attention to detail.” An excerpt:

Reading the book I began to wonder if Bernard ever had an argument with anyone who wasn’t called Peter Hook? He neglects to remember that in 1993 he fell out with Steve and Gillian over an interview where they said they wrote most of Republic. Bernard went mad and refused to speak to them or work with them again. He used to fall out with Rob [Gretton, the band’s now-deceased manager] all the time — mainly about money — and he used to fall out with Tony [Wilson, the late co-founder of Factory Records] all the time too. Yet, according to Chapter And Verse, he’s never had an argument or a mardy strop with anyone but me? Come on Barney….

In my opinion, the thing that he hated in New Order is that there was someone who would not go along with everything he wanted to do. We banged heads all the time and always have done ever since we started out. That’s what always made our music so exciting and intense.

Read the rest at Billboard. Hook, who is also writing a memoir about New Order, says he did enjoy the parts about Sumner’s youth in Manchester borough of Salford. The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club, Hook’s memoirs of the famed Manchester club New Order owned with Factory Records, is an entertaining read, honest and funny, recommended. He’s also written a memoir on Joy Division, which I keep meaning to pick up.

New Order, minus Hook, have signed with Mute and will release a record sooner than later. Meanwhile, Peter Hook & the Light will be touring soon, playing New Order’s Low-Life and Brotherhood in full, stopping in NYC at Irving Plaza on November 7. Tickets are still available.