Backspin: Peter Hook on New Order's 'Low-Life'

[@KaiPonte]

I can listen to Low-Life every day. Hooky's bass lines on this album are brilliant, just adding to the lyrics and overall danceable music.

[@AndrewInCanada99]

Even though these segments are short, he has so much valuable and insightful commentary on the albums, like how Elegia was partially inspired by Ennio Morricone, or how the band were arguing amongst themselves about their rock sound versus their electronic. Really fascinating stuff if you’re a fan of the band, Peter hook is just such an entertaining speaker/story teller, I could listen to him for hours.

[@nope5445]

Still my favourite New Order record. Their masterpiece.

[@cmswrD]

So many good songs on that record

[@derkeheath5172]

My only complaint about the album is how it's so limited by the runtime of LPs. Would be SO much better if it had had the full length versions of Perfect Kiss and Elegia.

[@deletebilderberg]

Taste is of course subjective but Low-Life, a ‘masterpiece’? No chance.

[@stevenmorellojr]

Great interviews with Hook. The whole series is insightful and fantastic. Thanks for posting.

[@RossBayCult]

To me, New Order is nothing without Peter Hook’s basslines. He adds a punch and melody to their songs.

[@bburns]

Hooky should just record loud bass over all the following LPs and post it online somewhere.

[@CK2008able]

He recently joked that he had planned to play Music Complete in full with The Light to put some proper bass on it ahaha

[@ggghhjd]

best new order record by far....the bass was essential to new order's sound and the blend between the keyboards and the bass and guitars was perfect on this record...best track: sunrise

[@jrmarrero96]

My personal favorite on the album is Sub culture. The single version completely removed Hooky's bass, which is just unforgivable. Its strange how Sumner didn't even bother mentioning the album Low Life in his book at all.

[@whiff1962]

bobby george I totally agree.

[@hippriest9448]

For me, it’s The Perfect Kiss. The Jonathan Demme version is essential

[@jeffblack5024]

On all New Order’s classics, the first thing that hooks you (if you excuse the pun) is the unique bass sound - Ceremony, Perfect Kiss, Age of Consent, Regret, etc. etc. The idea that they wanted to turn him down shows the danger in producing yourselves. To my mind, they’re not half the band without him and I haven’t been to see New Order since. No Hooky, no looky.

[@michaelwilson2340]

My favorite New Order album. Sunrise is fantastic!

[@jonnicklison449]

Peter is the of one only true legends left in the industry ❤

[@deltanine6497]

My favorite New Order album for sure. Thanks Hooky! :-)

[@JG-sf7dn]

Mine too! I felt like they got the perfect mix between electronic and guitar/bass on that album. Did the same on Technique which is my 2nd fav.

[@melissadalessandro7236]

I love this album. Has my most favorite personal song on it

[@solitarianihilista1454]

This Time of Night is the best single New Order never released.

[@Blank_Frank]

Sorry, but "This Time Of Night" was never released as a single... ^^' It's a great, powerfull song on "Low Life" though.

[@N0Camping4U]

That's exactly what he fucking said. It's the best single New Order NEVER released. Learn to read... ^^'

[@whiff1962]

LMAO

[@andrewbarron7690]

A Way of life at night,Denial in the light,how many times before did you leave my soul alone

[@dayman7084]

Why are their best songs pretty much all about being a hard out drug addict lol. Sub Culture is another insanely good song from LL

[@nope5445]

The Perfect Kiss... sigh

[@prillman]

My entry to NO (and JD later)... "Elegia" is perfect and was my go-to to get me out of my brooding teenage funks. I'd love to hear that 18-minute version though!

[@j-mac7401]

Fantastic interview!!! Such an insightful interview from an incredible bass player who is not celebrated enough... New Order is/was so vital and important to pop music and the sound this band created has influenced a number of music genres only to further define their on subgenre... I know most folks do not think highly of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but for not having New Order already enshrined is a mutha fuckin travesty!!!!

[@carlos1308]

3:18 does anyone know what song or what concert this is from? I had heard of hooky and Barney switching instruments for some JD songs but I’ve never seen any switches for new order, I think it’d be quite cool to see that

[@user-pm2bh9ol8w]

Confusion live in Japan 1985

[@leedummett4412]

hooky uses the bass as a lead instrument, not just to fatten the sound out.

[@neaituppi7306]

The thing with New Order I didn't car for. Is it sounded like everything was done on synthesizers. Many of the songs I heard, I didn't hear bass, or guitar or what sounded like real drums. It might have been, but I didn't hear it. I didn't even know anything about Joy Division until a few years ago. I had heard love will tear us apart, and it was a song by Joy Division, and that was all I knew. But New order, I heard the song True Faith in the movie bright lights big city in the eighties, and I love that song. I never get sick of it. It is special. Even though it is a pop/new wave electronica arrangement. The song has to be special, to put up with it being pop.

[@LeoCarby-g2k]

Strange comment, as that's sort of the point of NO - Synthesizers with traditional pop/rock instruments!

[@patrikgabrielsson2135]

Underrated album. Underrated band.

[@spongebobsquaretits]

no theyre not

[@rjb9534]

this time of night is like.. my favourite song by them... if not top 5

[@Dexter101x]

I didn't destroy the tracing paper on the album I got

[@Edogawa1117]

plezx29 do you still have it?

[@Dexter101x]

Edogawa1117 yeah

[@Edogawa1117]

plezx29 Must be worth a pretty penny nowadays.

[@thestr8person]

I didn't have to destroy mine either! I think Hooky's memory isn't what it was although I loved his New Order book I realised about halfway through that he must have called up every roadie every engineer every fan that ever came into contact with the group to get all these hilarious anecdotes! But I like all his books, the hacienda book is a classic!

[@powrxplor69]

I taped mine to the top of my bedroom door as a teenager

[@22Hammy]

Those albums would've sounded just like any other electronic band if those Hooky baselines weren't on it.

[@LeoCarby-g2k]

Sooner Than You think . . . That intro, Still gets the hairs on the back of my neck going. My favourite NO album along with Power, Corruption and Lies. As for a no NO without Hooky? Like having the Smiths without Johnny Marr.

[@yorkemar]

Still got my...er..cd with the tracing paper notes cover.

[@kendalson7817]

Kinda depressing album, but I guess that's why it's my favorite NO.

[@Scotty-P]

Low-Life is their final album.

[@relaxalex7537]

2:16 2:25 2:29 2:50

[@MrSchmolko]

c'mon hooky and bernie, quit holding that grudge. make peace for the old times and ian's sake. swallow your pride and have a beer together.

[@juju5568]

It must be an ego problem All bands have been arguing about their personal issues and falling out. I never knew Hooky, was allowed to play the keyboards 🤔 It seems a bit strange, that they were getting on so well & touring. A great album with so much emotion and energy from lively songs. Sub- culture was bad choice for a single release. They did play alot of tracks live from low- life. I remember seeing them play in 1984, and they were doing ' face up ' The perfect kiss' Which probably had not be given a title were superb for a change. The good old days🍺