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

The iconic bassist reminisces about one of his band's most important albums.

[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.

[AndrewInCanada]

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.

[RossBayCult]

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

[nope]

Still my favourite New Order record. Their masterpiece.

[bburns]

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

[stevenmorellojr]

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

[jeffblack]

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.

[michaelwilson]

My favorite New Order album. Sunrise is fantastic!

[deltanine]

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

[jonnicklison]

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

[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

[KarlWolfe-nh]

Low Life….is in the top 10 albums of the 1980’s….pure class in a record. Kudos.

[j-mac]

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!!!!

[melissadalessandro]

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

[solitarianihilista]

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

[sullyb]

Peter is actually mentioning Bernard's name here. He won't even speak it nowadays. Also, the shot of he and Bernard switching instruments is fantastic.

[carlos]

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

[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!

[leedummett]

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

[neaituppi]

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.