When someone asks Peter Hook to stick to the main melody, his common response is an explicit suggestion for them to leave him alone. Unearthing his own path in punk bass, Hook developed aversion to low pitches.
In the world of music, legends never truly fade away. This is especially true for the late British punk-rock band, Joy Division, co-founded by Peter Hook (bassist), Bernard Sumner (guitarist), Stephen Morris (drummer), and Ian Curtis (singer).
Forty years after Joy Division's disbandment following Ian Curtis' suicide in 1980, Hook's new band continues to bring the group's music to new audiences. The lineup includes Hook's son, Jack Bates, who contributes to the bass parts.
Hook's early equipment included the Sound City 120 amplifier, which he purchased for just 60 quid. Despite its poor sound quality, it worked for him at the time. He played bass in a distinctive melodic style, often on the upper registers, rather than just the low root notes. This lead-like approach was combined with effects such as a heavy chorus sound effect.
Hook's bass playing style was influenced by self-teaching and a desire to rock, with a discerning ear. His mother even signed the finance for the Sound City 120 amplifier. His unique playing style laid the foundation for Joy Division's sound and style, which later influenced the mid-1980s' raved-up 'Madchester' sound.
In the new band, Hook, despite initially viewing singing bass players as a disadvantage, has become one himself. He finds it challenging to sing and play at the same time, citing Phil Lynott and Sting as examples of musicians who can do so effectively. Jack Bates, a member of the new band, has shown remarkable skill in emulating Hook's bass playing style.
Lan Curtis, the singer of Joy Division, often picked out the band's riffs, such as those in "She's Lost Control", "Inside", "24 Hours", and "Love Will Tear Us Apart". Peter Hook is grateful to Ian for pushing him to keep playing high on the D and G strings.
Hook's son, Jack Bates, has joined the band to augment and anchor the bass parts, as Hook found the confidence to sing the songs himself. Bates' bass playing skills fill Hook with awe, as he struggles to perform both singing and playing simultaneously.
While the exact bass guitar model Peter Hook used in those early Joy Division years is not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources, it is known that he was famous for playing bass lines with a lead guitar-like melodic approach. Later, he has been associated with Yamaha basses such as the BB 734A that reflect his tonal preferences.
Peter Hook, despite moving on from the Sound City 120 amplifier, still holds it in high regard for its role in delivering the high notes with Joy Division. He even admired the Hiwatt amplifier, which he purchased later, from Jean-Jacques Burnell's use with The Stranglers.
In essence, Peter Hook's new band showcases a blend of Joy Division's music and his own singing abilities, with his son, Jack Bates, contributing significantly to the bass parts. The band's performances are a testament to the enduring legacy of Joy Division and the unique style of Peter Hook.
- Peter Hook, the bassist of the late British punk-rock band Joy Division, continues to bring the group's music to new audiences with his new band, demonstrating the enduring legacy of the band.
- Despite initial reservations about singing while playing bass, Hook, the co-founder of Joy Division, has become a vocalist in his new band, citing musicians like Phil Lynott and Sting as examples of effective singing bass players.
- Jack Bates, Hook's son and a member of the new band, has shown exceptional skill in emulating Hook's unique bass playing style, aiding Hook in anchoring the bass parts.
- The influence of Joy Division's music can be seen in the mid-1980s' raved-up 'Madchester' sound, a testament to the impact of Hook's distinctive melodic bass guitar technique on the music industry.
- Hook's early bass guitar equipment included the Sound City 120 amplifier, which he purchased for a modest 60 quid, and the Hiwatt amplifier, which he admired from Jean-Jacques Burnell's use with The Stranglers, signifying the role technology plays in music and entertainment, as well as sports.
