Q. What do you get when you form a super group featuring legendary bass players Peter Hook (Joy Division), Gary “Mani” Mounfield (The Stone Roses/Primal Scream), and Andy Rourke (The Smiths)?
A. An EP, a still unreleased LP, and a super nasty breakup.
Less than a month after Rourke announced he was departing the outfit for an undisclosed reason, the band issued a statement declaring the end (via Clash Music):
“Recent events have made Freebass entirely unviable as a band, and with this in mind, it has been decided that the project should be shelved, rather than placed on hiatus while members pursue their other interests.
“The band would like to take the opportunity to thanks friends and fans for their support and interest, especially on the UK tour in June 2010. We also hope that people will enjoy the album, which concludes five years of work and treat it on its own merits.
“No third parties were involved or harmed in the break up.”
Mounfield accompanied the news with a rather vicious Twitter attack against Hook.
“I”ve actually got an ongoing career, so I don’t feel the need to exploit my past glories. I exist in the here and the now!!!” wrote Mounfield. He then went on to say “I’m fine, dunno about the vulture who is ravenously devouring the last morsels of putrid flesh from Wilson/Curtis bones,” a reference to former Joy Division bandmate Ian Curtis and Factory Records label head Tony Wilson.
Of the band’s debut full-length It’s A Beautiful Life, which is due for physical release later this month, Mounfield said, “[It’s] where it belongs mate…. In the fuckin bargain bin before it’s even released. You live and learn. I’m still no 1 though.”
Neither Hook nor Rourke have yet to personally comment on the situation.
The news of Freebass’ breakup comes just weeks after Hook announced he’ll be touring behind Joy Division’s 1979 debut Unknown Pleasures in North America this winter. You can find upcoming tour dates here. Mounfield confirmed he’ll be returning to active duty with Primal Scream.
