Mani Publically Denounces Peter Hook, As Freebass Split
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Written by Adam Simpson
History is and always will be relevant, it moves the world forward, it provides for the future and it should in theory, help the world become a better place. Factory Records was a part of musical history which now has its place in recent history. Through Tony Wilson’s creation we had many great Manchester group’s who I doubt very much would have been around, had Factory not have existed.
Groups such as Joy Division, A Certain Ratio, New Order, James and The Happy Mondays, all directly linked to Factory and those who managed to move forward from the back of what Factory achieved, The Stone Roses for example.
Factory also gave the UK its first super club, The Hacienda. A club which may not have ever made a penny, but gave the UK an introduction to clubbing on the scale it is at now today, the club introduced us to Happy House and the idea of superstar DJ’s.
It is true then that Factory gave the UK’s music fans something special and showed us the future. The ideas and concepts were often flawed, a group ahead of their time and perhaps a little too idealistic to be successful as a business, but a group who without doubt always tried to put the music and the art first.
Now a memory, although a memory that lives on and a memory that should be celebrated and promoted, we have FAC251 The Factory, a club co-owned by Joy Division and New Order’sPeter Hook and Tokyo Industries. It is not The Hacienda, but it is a venue with those same Factory ideals.
When Freebass formed, fans old and new where given an up to date slice of Manchester history, when three Mancunian bass players, all directly or indirectly involved with the Factory scene, formed a bass super group. Peter Hook “Hooky”, Gary Mounfield “Mani” and Andy Rourke “Rourkie” of Freebass have split this week, something which perhaps comes as no suprise, considering the time it has taken the group to complete their first album and also the fact that Andy now lives in New York. What is surprising however is the apparent reason for the split and the announcement Mani posted on Twitter.
Mani, the former bassist of current group Primal Scream and earlier group The Stone Roses, posted a scathing attack on Hooky and Factory Records. It is surprising really, considering the Madchester wave that The Stone Roses rode, which was partly due to the excitement surrounding Factory. It is also surprising, as Mani, particularly whilst with Primal Scream, adopted a very similar style to Hooky, copying his ploddy, heavily effected technique, something which he admitted to in an interview with me earlier this year. So why did he decide to publically denounce Hooky in that way?
Mani wrote. “Three things visible from space, Great Wall Of China, Peter Hook’s wallet stuffed with Ian Curtis’s blood money, Man City’s empty trophy cabinet! I’ve actually got an ongoing career, so I don’t feel the need to exploit my past glories. I exist in the here and the now.”
Mani also ranted about the Freebass album; It’s A Beautiful Life, due out on the 20th of September. “It’s where it belongs mate... in the fucking bargain bin before it’s even released. You live and learn.”
Mani claims that those involved with Factory, including Hooky continue to cash in on the past of Factory Records and the memory of those no longer with us, such as Ian Curtis and Tony Wilson, stating his disgust at the claims.
The reason for such a scathing attack will probably never be totally understood. Only Mani will know why he decided to denounce characters and an industry to which he owes so much.
Freebass released the following statement on the split.
"It is with great sadness that just prior to the long-awaited album release of It’s A Beautiful Life we have to announce that the much anticipated Mancunian union of bassists, Freebass, is no longer a functioning group."
"Recent events have made Freebass entirely unviable as a band and, with this in mind, it has been decided that the project should be shelved, rather than placed on hiatus while members pursue their other interests.”
"The band would like to take the opportunity to thanks friends and fans for their support and interest, especially on the UK tour in June 2010. We also hope that people will enjoy the album, which concludes five years of work, and treat it on its own merits. No third parties were involved or harmed in the break-up."
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Now a memory, although a memory that lives on and a memory that should be celebrated and promoted, we have FAC251 The Factory, a club co-owned by Joy Division and New Order’s Peter Hook and Tokyo Industries. It is not The Hacienda, but it is a venue with those same Factory ideals.
