Playing or spinning, he loves to show off
The last time bass guitarist Peter Hook performed in King County, his pioneering rock band New Order headlined at Seattle's Paramount Theatre. The year was 1989. At the time, Hook's group was promoting its magnificent album ``Technique,'' which set painfully confessional lyrics against a backdrop of thumping disco beats. Local radio stations already had pounced upon melodic tracks such as ``Fine Time,'' ``Round & Round'' and ``Dream Attack,'' so local fans attended the show in droves.
They were not disappointed. There were some funny moments that night (like lead vocalist Bernard Sumner sighing, ``Thank you, thank you, good people, but the song isn't over yet'' when folks cheered during the instrumental bridge of ``Vanishing Point'') and some unforgettably dramatic ones, too (drummer Stephen Morris' thunderous introduction to ``True Faith''). It was a concert to savor, which was only fitting, because the band wouldn't return to our state for another 12 years.
Even better at the Gorge
Amazingly, New Order's August 2001 appearance at the Gorge actually surpassed the Paramount gig. Hook, Morris and Sumner were aided by new keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Phil Cunningham (subbing for founding bandmember Gillian Gilbert, who'd retired to care for her children) and harmony vocalist/guitarist Billy Corgan (recently freed from Smashing Pumpkins). The quintet revisited New Order's biggest hits (``Regret,'' ``True Faith,'' the dance club juggernaut ``Blue Monday''), unveiled some new cuts (``Crystal,'' ``60 Miles an Hour,'' ``Turn My Way'') and even revisited classics by Hook, Morris and Sumner's previous band, the legendary Joy Division (``Atmosphere'' and ``Love Will Tear Us Apart,'' both written with late singer Ian Curtis).
When Hook visits Capitol Hill on Monday, it'll be in his capacity as a celebrity DJ. At these club appearances, he spins his favorite tunes, plus rare New Order remixes.
Speaking by cell phone, the jovial Hook said, ``When I started DJing, I played at established (events). There was an audience, and I was sort of guesting. Now, it's sort of changed in that it's tending to be advertised as just me, and people come along for just me. I don't know what they expect.
``It's just like coming along and sharing some of your favorite records. The drawback to it, for me, is when I first started DJing, the last thing I wanted to do was play New Order songs. 'Cause I was in New Order, I felt when I went out DJing, I should do something else. The thing is, people want to hear you and see you enjoy yourself with your own songs.
``It took me a long time to get over the embarrassment -- or the shyness -- of actually promoting myself.''
Hook got over that self-consciousness, at least sufficiently enough to DJ across his native United Kingdom, and at clubs around the U.S.
``I must admit, out of all the DJ gigs I've done, I've had a fantastic time in America,'' he said. ``I've found the audiences in America to be much more open, much more receptive, and (they) enjoyed the New Order stuff, whereas in England, I would say they were like, `Why do you have to play this (music)? Just play New Order!' I do have a great time in America, which is the reason why I'm coming back.''
Up for a Grammy
Hook might return to the states next month for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. New Order's tune ``Guilt Is a Useless Emotion'' has been nominated for best dance recording.
``As Bernard says, I'd go to the opening of an envelope,'' Hook joked. ``So, if the record company pays for me (to attend), the answer is yes. That'd be pretty weird. I always love these ceremonies. They're so overblown. They really go to town on the bloody production and everything. That's always quite entertaining.
``Steve Morris has an interesting look on it, though. He says it's like a prize that you get because of the fact you've been through hell and you're still alive. He says they just wheel out all these old musicians and give them prizes. I think that because New Order and Joy Division did something different, people maybe took a while to understand the sort of impact we made, because we didn't do it normally.''
It's possible to trace their artistic path better than ever thanks to the release of the two-CD set ``Singles,'' which gathers New Order's hits from the past 25 years, and its two DVD companions, the documentary ``NewOrderStory'' and the music video set ``A Collection.'' Together, these discs chart the evolution of the world's most innovative groove machine.
Next week's appearance at Neumo's is a rare treat for Hook's local fans, and he may be looking forward to it, but not everyone appreciates him coming to America. He sometimes has trouble convincing his wife of his need to tour.
``My thing is, `Listen, I travel and I go out to earn money.' She just turns around and says to me, `No you don't! You do it because you have a good time! You enjoy yourself, you get to show off in front of everybody, and you get the money.' `All right, love. You've got me there.'''
Excerpts taken from King County Journal.
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