Book SummarySubstance, by Peter Hook

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Substance

The group's development, both creatively and in their personal dynamics, marked a transition from their initial period as Joy Division.

The band's instinctive response to Ian Curtis's death and their subsequent choice to continue

This segment of the narrative delivers a candid and straightforward depiction of how the band reacted to the devastating self-inflicted death of Ian Curtis. Hook describes the period as a challenging and unstable one, highlighting the deep emotional toll that the passing of Curtis took on each surviving member. Despite the profound sorrow and uncertainty, a collective determination to honor their late bandmate's legacy, coupled with the unwavering support from their guiding force, Rob Gretton, propelled them to continue together.

They encountered the task of creating distinctive content and establishing a novel auditory signature as they progressed without Curtis at the venue known as a local dance club.

Peter Hook provides a glimpse into the early days of the band, a period characterized by the development of their musical skills amidst the grim and dilapidated setting of Pinky's disco, a phase filled with intense emotional distress. With Curtis gone, their guiding force and arbiter of musical direction, they found themselves adrift and unsure. They grappled with their grief while trying to navigate a new creative direction. Initially, they struggled to find their footing, often jamming for hours without achieving their usual spark in the absence of their usual leader. The writer emphasizes the difficulty in filling the void left by Curtis, who played a crucial part in establishing the distinctive sound and fundamental essence of Joy Division. Hook characterizes the band's initial attempts at crafting songs as unmistakably original, lacking the clear influence of Curtis.

Despite the challenges, a sense of determination pushed them forward. Gretton, with a steadfast conviction in their future potential, persistently motivated them to craft new material, certain that their finest work had not yet been realized. They began their musical journey by laying down initial tracks on a multi-track recorder, with the goal of crafting the unique tunes and arrangements that would ultimately define Joy Division. Hook candidly discusses the group's doubts while forging a unique sound, pondering their ability to match the legacy of their prior ensemble.

Context

• The band was known for its post-punk sound, characterized by a blend of punk's raw energy with more complex, atmospheric elements. Curtis's influence was significant in shaping this sound, which was both innovative and influential in the music scene.
• Ian Curtis was the lead singer and lyricist of Joy Division, known for his deep, emotive voice and introspective lyrics. His presence was central to the band's identity, making his absence particularly challenging.
• Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, just before the band was set to embark on their first North American tour. His death profoundly impacted the remaining members both personally and professionally.
• Rob Gretton, their manager, played a crucial role in encouraging the band to continue and evolve, providing both emotional and professional support during this transitional period.
• Gretton's belief in the band's potential was not just about immediate success but also about establishing a lasting legacy, which New Order eventually achieved with their influential sound.
• The early 1980s was a time of significant change in the music industry, with new genres and technologies emerging. Bands were exploring new ways to stand out, and multi-track recording was a tool that enabled this exploration.
• The shift from Joy Division's darker, more somber tones to New Order's incorporation of electronic elements marked a significant evolution in their sound, which was a risky and uncertain endeavor at the time.

The group transitioned from their initial post-punk phase to pioneers in the realm of synthesized soundscapes.

The narrative delves into the band's integration of synthetic sounds to create their unique sonic signature. Initially, Peter Hook showed reluctance to incorporate elements such as drum machines and sequencers, favoring the raw energy of their early work that was heavily focused on guitars. Despite his initial hesitations, he acknowledges the crucial influence his peers, such as Morris, had in guiding the group towards an auditory evolution that distinctly shaped their unique acoustic signature.

Incorporating electronic rhythm devices and sequence-based synthesizers, they ventured into novel auditory territories.

Hook provides a firsthand account of how the band progressively embraced electronic components in their music, initially marked by the use of a Boss Doctor Rhythm drum machine featured in the track 'Truth'. As Hook harbored initial doubts about the inclusion of drum machines and sequencers, finding them to be less captivating than traditional live instruments, the growing excitement for electronic music shared by Sumner and Morris convinced the group to gradually adopt this innovative approach.

Hook details the band's sonic explorations, shaped by the pioneering work of artists like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder, who are celebrated for their pioneering use of sequencers and synthesizers to create unique soundscapes that evoke themes of the future. The author stresses that the integration of electronic instruments not only expanded their sonic palette but also necessitated a novel approach to the creation and execution of music. The group evolved from spontaneous musical improvisations to a more...

Substance Summary The group's internal conflicts and disagreements between members were particularly evident in the frequent confrontations between Barney and Hook.

This section explores the complex dynamics within the band, particularly focusing on the strained relationship between Hook and Sumner. Hook explores the root causes of their discord, attributing it to a mix of creative clashes and contrasting personalities, in addition to Sumner's increasing inclination to take control.

The growing divide in creative direction and personal interactions between Barney and Hook.

The narrative delves into the growing discord between the two band members, scrutinizing the creative divergences and personal disagreements that fueled their conflict. Hook underscores the varying musical preferences within the band, highlighting his own partiality for the raw energy of their early rock influences, while noting that Sumner had a penchant for the electronic tunes.

Disagreements about musical direction, approaches to songwriting, and clashes over bass levels

Hook depicts the creative clashes with Sumner as originating from fundamental differences in their musical perspectives and commitment to their artistry. He discusses Sumner's inclination toward synthesized sounds and structured compositions, which is diametrically opposed to his own...

Substance Summary The band's dealings with their managers and the intricate layers of the music industry, especially in relation to Factory Records, were multifaceted and nuanced.

The analysis explores the dynamic relationship between New Order, their mentor Rob Gretton, and Factory Records, the label that published their music. Hook explores Gretton's unique management style, scrutinizing his successes and shortcomings, along with the impact his personality had on the trajectory of the band.

Rob Gretton's role and influence within New Order expanded over time.

This part of the story highlights Gretton's crucial influence in navigating the complex terrain of the music production business, emphasizing his unwavering belief in their talent and his steadfast support during their formative years. Hook delves into the unconventional approach to management that Gretton adopted, characterized by his intense dedication as well as his sporadic and occasionally domineering conduct.

Gretton's influence and methods were crucial in shaping the unique sound and development of the group.

Hook provides a thorough depiction of Gretton's management style, marked by a level of unpredictability that reflected the unique character of the band. He staunchly advocated for the welfare of New Order, ensuring their artistic freedom while zealously promoting their best...

Substance Summary New Order's evolution in production techniques, along with their consistent commercial success and long-standing recognition throughout the years.

The narrative segment will chart the band's creative evolution, underscoring their metamorphosis from early post-punk roots to pioneers in the realm of electronic music. Hook offers insight into their development of studio production techniques, highlighting the divergence between his preference for a raw, live-performance audio style and Sumner's preference for meticulously produced, synthetic sound.

The band's progression from spontaneous jam sessions to a meticulously crafted approach to recording music.

Hook provides an in-depth analysis of the band's evolution as songwriters and instrumentalists, chronicling their progression from spontaneous meetings reminiscent of Joy Division to a more intentional and structured approach to creating music. He describes this transformation as stemming from the emergence of novel technological abilities, which, along with Sumner's growing influence on the compositional and production elements, played a significant role.

The investigation into new technological paths resulted in a style of music that was more profoundly influenced by electronic elements.

Hook narrates the band's progression in their music production methods,...