As previously reported, Peter Hook will be auctioning off pieces of from his personal Joy Division, New Order, and Factory collection in March. The Peter Hook Signature Collection includes equipment (guitars, pedals), clothing, instruments, rare vinyl, unique artwork and original posters, and even Hook's ticket stub from the legendary 1976 Sex Pistols' Free Trade Hall gig (considered one of the world's most important and influential concerts ever). The event will be held through Omega Auctions on March 2nd and proceeds benefit the suicide prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) as well as an epilepsy charity.
In promotion of the auction, Rolling Stone published an excellent feature on Hook -- he discussed various pieces of his rare memorabilia, the potential of reuniting with New Order, what he's learned from performing Joy Division albums live, and more.
Hooky revealed that though his incredible collection includes "wonderful moments to savor," his recent (but now resolved) legal disputes with ex-New Order bandmates soured him and motivated him to part with these rare pieces:
"While the cases were going on, it was the most depressing thing I’ve ever been through in my life. I remember [the Smiths’] Andy Rourke telling me once that the case against Morrissey and Marr was the worst thing that ever happened to him, and I thought he was being dramatic. Bloody hell, when it happens to you, you realize how awful it is and really it’s only been playing the music and remembering how good we were and how good we are, if you like, as a group, that got me through it. I played every LP as the court cases were going on, and it really was a help. Even doing the book was quite cathartic, to realize what great times we had in New Order.
It’s like any relationship, isn’t it? You end up divorcing and everything looks terrible and you sit there one drunken night going over the romance, shall we say, and you realize how great it was. It was just that those things tend to crumble at the end of the day.
It’s just quite odd really when you actually sit there thinking, 'What the hell are you doing keeping hold of Joy Division?’ I realized that the relationship between us all was never gonna happen, and I was holding on to something for the wrong reason.
It [the lawsuit] made me feel a little bit detached from Joy Division in a way, and it also made me realize that the most important thing for me was to have the music and to have the fans and to be honest, we’re very happy together."
As for the ticket stub to that legendary Free Trade Hall gig:
"The Sex Pistols ticket is really odd because it’s in such good condition. I must have put it away quite carefully. It was a great night, don’t get me wrong, but I never thought that it would be so significant as that Sex Pistols appearance was. I didn’t sit there and think, “God, this is going to be worth a few quid in 40 years."
Hooky was asked if he could ever fathom reuniting or performing with his ex-bandmates, for instance in the event they are ever inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hooky says he's doubtful, yet hopeful:
"Both New Order and Joy Division should be in every hall of fame. Maybe everyone’s waiting until we become friendly [laughs] and then we’ll be hit with a massive rush. But it would be very difficult, wouldn’t it? If someone tried to induct you, and they go, “Oh, my God. They’ll only end up fighting backstage.” [Laughs]. It puts people in an unfortunate position, doesn’t it?
Hey, listen, the world is a wonderful place. It’s only hope that keeps us all going through every day. So yeah, it’s something that you hope will happen. It’d be wonderful and in many ways, the fact that you didn’t reconcile is one of the greatest sadnesses because of how much you’ve shared and how much you still share.
Read the full fascinating interview with Peter Hook here.
The Peter Hook Signature Collection will be auctioned off March 2nd. Prior to the auction (late February) an exhibit featuring all the pieces in the collection will be on display at Omega Auctions HQ in Newton-Le-Willows. An online catalog showcasing the collection will be available to view through Omega Auctions on January 25th. Physical copies of the catalog are available to purchase now here.
Peter Hook continues to tour the world with The Light performing Joy Division and New Order albums in full. Hook's latest tour features a full performance of Technique and Republic with an opening set of Joy Division classics. The tour hits North America next autumn and tickets are on sale now. View the tour itinerary below and grab tickets to the Detroit show, which takes place October 31st at St. Andrew's Hall here.
Meanwhile New Order plan to release a Movement boxset in April plus reissue four iconic New Order singles in March. Details on that are posted here.
Peter Hook - Technique/Republic tour
Oct 24 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Oct 25 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
Oct 26 -- Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
Oct 28 -- Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
Oct 29 -- Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
Oct 31 -- Detroit, MI @ St Andrew's Hall
Nov 01 -- Chicago, IL @ Metro
Nov 02 -- Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Nov 04 -- Vancouver, BC @ Venue
Nov 05 -- Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
Nov 07 -- Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Nov 08 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Nov 09 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
Nov 11 -- Austin, TX @ Emo's
Nov 12 -- Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Published December 27th, 2018