Substance: Inside New Order
The bitter, hilarious, and exhaustive history of the band that merged rock with dance music.
The Historical Context
Following the tragic suicide of Ian Curtis, the surviving members of Joy Division fled to New York and completely reinvented themselves. Peter Hook’s mammoth memoir details how New Order bridged the gap between post-punk gloom and the ecstasy-fueled hedonism of the emerging club scene. Hook provides a granular, track-by-track breakdown of their discography, interspersed with staggering tales of financial mismanagement, substance abuse, and vicious intra-band hatred.
Deconstructing the Masterpiece
Here is exactly what you will find inside the pages of this pivotal work:
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The trauma of losing a frontman and the sheer force of will required to carry on.
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The pioneering integration of primitive sequencers and synthesisers into a live band.
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The slow, agonizing deterioration of Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook's friendship.
The Myths & Controversies
Hook is unrelenting in his criticism of Bernard Sumner, painting him as a dictatorial, credit-hogging frontman. The book effectively severed any remaining ties between the two founders.
The Verdict
A heavyweight, exhaustingly detailed, and completely essential insider account of musical genius and human dysfunction.
Archivist Notes: Substance: Inside New Order
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