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45 years later, New Order’s music is ‘more successful’ than ever — but why? ‘It’s got soul’

BBG News

“What the f— is going on?” Bernard Sumner says jokingly.

Following issues with Zoom and WhatsApp, the original member of New Order opted to experiment with FaceTime. He appears on screen, lounging on a sofa against a white backdrop. A warm, welcoming gaze peeks out from behind his spectacles.

He established the group about 45 years ago when he was older than 20 but younger than 70, alongside bassist Peter Hook, drummer Stephen Morris and keyboardist Gillian Gilbert. It’s hard not to bring up New Order in connection with its predecessor band, Joy Division. Their origins are well-known; the group emerged following a Sex Pistols concert in Manchester.

Notably, numerous individuals attended… Morrissey and the Buzzcocks were among those present… and many left to start their own bands,” Sumner jokes.

For those familiar with Joy Division’s music, their debut album “Unknown Pleasures” perfectly encapsulates the raw spirit of rebellion, aggression, and vitality that was characteristic of the Sex Pistols. From the get-go, the album delivers a punch, much like Sumner described the band’s performance as a defining moment in music history – a sonic jolt that packed the necessary impact.

Sumner expresses that they strongly disliked the established system during their school years, saying, “It was more like ‘Stick it to the man!’ We had a tough time at school and our rebellious nature didn’t mesh well with the establishment.” Essentially, they were defying the teachers and their lessons as a form of protest because they found them uninteresting.

“Punk gave us the excuse we really needed,” he adds.

Shortly after Joy Division made their mark in the music world, unfortunately the band disbanded prematurely following the passing of their lead singer Ian Curtis. A year later, New Order emerged with Sumner, Hook, Morris, and Gilbert as key members, introducing a fresh sound compared to their predecessors.

The band started blending synthesizers with their traditional instruments, resulting in a unique, captivating sound that draws listeners to the dance floor. Every rhythmic beat and swirling sound seems to urge them to dance. According to Sumner, it emerged spontaneously, without any deliberate attempt to create the iconic soundscape that would shape decades ahead.

Sumner explains, “Four individuals assembled, and that’s how things unfolded. We practiced, but we lacked a grand strategy. Making lots of money or becoming famous weren’t our priorities.

Actually, they seemed to follow a rather simple creative routine – attending rehearsals, discussing the shows they watched the previous evening on TV, and often stopping by Spudulike for a baked potato while at the studio.

Afterward, I remember us asking, ‘Shall we give writing a try?’ He continues, ‘Yes, let’s do it,’ they agreed. Then they’d turn on the amplifiers and simply observe what unfolded.

He also shares an anecdote about their initial collaboration in New York, where they crossed paths with renowned producer Arthur Baker. Having been accustomed to working with session musicians, Baker unexpectedly invited New Order to the studio during his work hours.

Sumner expressed, “He requested us to brainstorm some thoughts,” but we couldn’t due to being suddenly asked and having no prior experience with such a task… The key was simply not to deliberate on it.

Despite boasting a unique and groundbreaking sound, New Order found it challenging to make a significant impact on mainstream music charts beyond the realms of indie and alternative genres. In the 80s, they primarily relied on radio airplay and achieved little recognition outside of college campuses in America.

Rather than engaging with the mainstream trend, ensembles such as Sumner’s – including the Smiths and Echo & the Bunnymen – opted out entirely, eschewing the numbers game associated with pop music.

He mentions that they chose to disregard the common trends, explaining, “We opted out of the usual noise.” Feeling unsatisfied with the content on traditional radio stations, they decided to create their own radio station instead.

Indeed, once the internet emerged, it effectively sidestepped traditional radio broadcasts and alleviated the bands’ struggles regarding playtime. Consequently, this facilitated their remarkable achievement in connecting various generations, enabling parents to pass down the band’s albums to their children.

Aren’t great tunes just great tunes? They’ll rise to the surface in any case,” he contends. “Pick up a New Order album; it’s an enduring purchase that will benefit you throughout your lifetime.

Sumner asserts that the team is currently more triumphant than they’ve previously managed, attributing this success to a handful of key elements, such as unity.

In the beginning, we often made mistakes and these errors negatively impacted our performances,” Sumner explains. “We’d deliver an excellent one, rejoice over its success, and then the following one would be disappointing due to our excessive celebration.

He playfully remarks, “Contrary to what typically happens, our popularity is actually on the rise, not on the decline.

The connection between the generation that grew up listening to this music group and today’s generation is evident at festivals like Cruel World, where they play post-punk, new wave, goth, and alt-rock. This festival, which started in 2022, has invited artists such as Iggy Pop, Duran Duran, and Morrissey to perform on the main stage again.

Now, New Order will be the main act at the festival on May 17, sharing the stage with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. This ’80s revival has been quite surprising but has managed to attract a significant enough audience that it seems poised to become a regular event, similar to many of Goldenvoice’s other successful endeavors.

If they’re playing this kind of music, there seems to be a demand for it. It carries a genuine soul, that much is clear.

Regarding upcoming projects, there have been whispers about a new album, but these rumors have been debunked as of late. It’s been 10 years since their highly praised album “Music Complete” was launched, leaving fans eager for more content. Frontman Sumner explains the holdup is due to varying levels of enthusiasm among group members to write fresh material, with some expressing readiness and others not showing much interest.

“I’m one of the ones that does,” Sumner assures. “That’s all I can say, really.”

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2025-05-14 19:31

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