Electronic Band New Order Reuniting for Benefit Gigs

Disbanding in 2006, New Order recently decided to reunite for two benefit concerts. But, the Manchester, U.K., band is getting together sans one member, bassist Peter “Hooky” Hook, who split on less-than-good terms five years ago. At the time, Hook had even said about the band: “You are no more New Order than I am! You may have two thirds, but don't assume you have the rights to do anything 'New Order-ey', because you don't.”

Remaining two original bandmates frontman Bernard Sumner and drummer Stephen Morris went on to form Bad Lieutenant. With Morris and Sumner is former keyboardist Gillian Gilbert, who last played with New Order in 2001 for their comeback album Get Ready. In place of Hook is Bad Lieutenant member Tom Chapman.

As events to raise money for filmmaker Michael Shamberg, who has been living with an incapacitating illness since 2001, the two benefit gigs will be at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on October 17 and at La Bataclan in Paris the following day. About the shows, the band stated: “Michael [Shamberg] 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, Phillipe Decouffle, Jonathan Demme, Robert Frank, Paula Greiff, Robert Longo, Bailie Walsh & William Wegman. 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.”

Hook, meanwhile, has gone through groups Freebass and The Light, which is now planning to tour North America to play renditions of Joy Division albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer. Since his statement in 2007, the bassist has cooled off but not reconciled with his former bandmates. In a recent interview, he said: “I love New Order as a band and how we achieved a lot both creatively and musically. How could you not? As for the people, we all changed so much and the ambitions and practices changed within the band so greatly that I could safely say that I feel I do not know Bernard and Stephen at all nowadays, so I sincerely doubt anything could happen in the future.”