"Peter Hook's response when asked to stick to the main melody is consistently a profane 'leave me alone.' This article explores how Hook broke the norms of punk bass playing and developed an aversion to low tones."
In the world of punk-rock, Peter Hook, co-founder of the iconic band Joy Division, made a name for himself with an unheard-of approach to the bass guitar. Instead of following traditional low root notes, Hook used the upper registers and repeated melodies, treating the bass more like a lead guitar.
This innovative style was born out of Hook's love for the Hiwatt amplifier, which he bought after being inspired by Jean-Jacques Burnell's use of it with The Stranglers. Joy Division was co-founded by Hook (bassist), Bernard Sumner (guitarist), Stephen Morris (drummer), and Ian Curtis (singer).
Hook's equipment included a Shergold Marathon 6-string bass, a Sound City 120 amp, and a variety of effects such as a Big Muff fuzz pedal for distortion, a Mu-tron III envelope filter, an MXR digital delay, Morley Fuzz/Wah and Power Wah pedals, and an Eventide Harmonizer. His style emphasized high-register, melodic, repeated riffs, making his bass tone unusually bright and prominent in the mix.
Despite the Sound City 120 amp sounding poor, Hook could only make it sound decent when playing high up on the D and G strings. This high-pitched, melodic bass sound became synonymous with Joy Division.
Ian Curtis, the singer of Joy Division, often picked out the riffs for the band's songs. Hook was grateful for Curtis' encouragement to keep playing high up on the D and G strings.
Hook's discerning ear as a self-taught bassist allowed him to create melodic basslines for Joy Division. His son, Jack Bates, is very good at emulating his father's bass playing style.
Joy Division's music scorched the British punk-rock landscape and laid the foundation for the mid-1980s' raved-up 'Madchester' sound. Hook struggled to sing and play at the same time, finding it awe-inspiring when he watched musicians like Phil Lynott and Sting do so. Eventually, he found the confidence to sing the songs of Joy Division and recruited his son, Jack Bates, to augment and anchor the bass parts.
References:
- Peter Hook's Bass Rig
- Peter Hook's Bass Techniques
- Eastwood Hooky Bass 6 PRO
- Joy Division's Influence on Madchester
- Peter Hook's Singing and Playing
- Peter Hook, the co-founder of Joy Division, employed an inventive technique on the bass guitar, favoring the upper registers and repeating melodies much like a lead guitarist.
- The Hiwatt amplifier, which Hook bought after being influenced by its use by Jean-Jacques Burnell of The Stranglers, played a significant role in the development of his unique playing style.
- Hook's extensive gear included a Shergold Marathon 6-string bass, a Sound City 120 amp, a variety of effects pedals, and an Eventide Harmonizer, ensuring his bass tone stood out in the music of Joy Division.
- Despite the Sound City 120 amp's perceived poor sound quality, Hook could make it sound decent only when playing high up on the D and G strings, resulting in a high-pitched, melodic bass sound that became synonymous with Joy Division.
