Peter Hook answers his critics

In an especially candid interview in the latest issue of HP, veteran musician Peter Hook pulls no punches in addressing the criticism aimed in his direction that he is living off past glories and the "blood money" of Ian Curtis.

Having recently worked together on the ill-fated Freebass project, Hook's relationship with former Stone Roses bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield soured, leading Mani to launch an astonishing attack on his fellow Mancunian via Twitter, declaring that "peter hooks wallet [is] stuffed with ian Curtis blood money".

Speaking to Olaf Tyransen, Hooky reacted with typical honesty when confronted with the memory of the seemingly unprovoked attack, questioning Mani's hypocrisy in the process.

“Mani was a huge contradiction in terms," said Hook. "Mani’s rant was really about the failure of Freebass. Because he knows that he’s doing Screamadelica so he hasn’t got a leg to stand on, do you know what I mean?"

Hook is careful not to be too precious where his station is concerned, arguing that musicians are attracted to money and ultimately led by it.

“The thing is, if you want to put it succinctly, we’re all whores," he said. "Basically wherever anybody will pay us, we’ll go."

Looking to the future, Hook reveals his plans to write a book based on his time in Joy Division, believing that his in-depth experience makes him the ideal candidate to tell the story.

“It’s gonna be called Inside Joy Division," he said. "I decided to write it because I got sick of reading books about Joy Division by people that were never there... but I must admit, it’s not enjoyable going through all the details of Joy Division. I’m finding it tough going to say the least.”

You can read the full interview with Hooky where he also discusses performing classic Joy Division albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer with current band The Light, his experiences of DJing and his thoughts on nostalgia and comebacks in the new issue of Hot Press, (Paolo Nutini cover) out now.

Don't forget you can catch Peter Hook and The Light in action performing Unknown Pleasures tonight in The Academy and tomorrow June 4 in Skibbereen at the Cork X Southwest Festival. Further Hook-related goodness can be found in the form of 1102 / 2011, the debut EP from The Light featuring Rowetta. Currently availble via Hacienda Records, tracks include covers of 'New Dawn Fades', 'Atmosphere' and previously unrecorded Joy Division track; 'Pictures In My Mind'.