Peter Hook cancels Australian tour dates with what, given the outrageously outspoken way the former bassist of Joy Divison and New Order usually conducts himself, can only be described as vague circumstances.
The tumultuous relationship between Hooky and former Joy Division/New Order bandmates, particularly Bernard Sumner, has flared continually since it’s initial demise with Peter accusing the “new” New Order of miming, conducting “dirty business dealings” and rounding the whole debacle out with threats to “fuck them over.”
Despite Hooky’s consistent lambast of New Order, who, obviously, continue to tour as New Order, Peter had no trouble touring (albeit under his own name) performing seminal Joy Division album Unknown Pleasures and was this April to bring his take on the classic record by the same iconic band Closer.
But that’s totally different, Hooky told Tone Deaf in a recent interview: “It’s when you use the name you’re trying to grab the audience. I’d never have the gall to call my band Joy Division; they are NOT New Order and never will be.”
However, just weeks after New Order’s successful Australian tour as part of the Future Music Festival, a press release from Metropolis Touring attributes the cancellation of the April dates “Hooky” and his band The Light were slated to play to “production circumstances which were beyond their control.”
As for the cancellation of the Closer tour and the ambiguous reasoning behind it, Hooky did allude to the difficulties he faced with performing the lauded material. “For me it’s like sitting a difficult exam every time I play [Closer]. You want to give it the gravity, the passion and the respect it deserves.”
Naturally apologising for the inconvenience and disappointment fans might be experiencing due to the cancellation, the band’s representatives have expressed hope that the dates will be rescheduled for late 2012 or early 2013.
At this stage, though, ticket refunds will be available from all ticketing outlets.
