Freebass are a Manchester band consisting of three bassists Andy Rourke (formerly of The Smiths), Peter Hook (formerly of Joy Division and New Order) and Gary "Mani" Mounfield (formerly of The Stone Roses and currently in Primal Scream), singer Gary Briggs (formerly of Haven), drums Paul Kehoe, programming / tour management Phil Murphy.
History
The idea to form a band centralised around three bass players came out on a drunken night and was started by Hook and Mani as "a reaction because our groups New Order and Primals had been stalled".
In a late 2005 interview with NME Peter Hook stated that all of the songs have three basses; "Mani does the low part, Andy Rourke in the middle and I do the high bit ... it works out quite well".
In 2006 the band recorded the theme song for the Channel 4 Radio program The Tube, an instrumental track called "The Tower".
In a 2006 interview with Argentine newspaper Página/12, Peter Hook expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the band, "We've already written 17 tracks and the album's coming along very well. We hope to finish it soon." He also explained why he was so determined to succeed. "The reason we decided to do it was because everyone laughed in our face when we suggested the idea. So we thought, 'Fuck them! We're gonna show them.'"
Debut
According to Hook the band have already recorded numerous tracks for their debut album featuring guest spots from Bobby Gillespie, Liam Gallagher, Billy Corgan, Ian Brown, Rowetta, Tim Burgess and Howard Marks who "performs a rap on one song". At one stage Robbie Williams was rumoured to be contributing vocals but in a 2008 interview with BBC 6 Music Hook stated "he made enquiries about recording a song with us but the trails gone a bit quiet".
Thank you for accepting us as your friend! a very interesting music is on your profile... we are going to play some gigs in England and Hooky's idea about having a 6string bass inspired us to use that instrument in our newest songs. greetings for all of you from Warsaw, Poland!
Excuse the liberty, but I thought you might like to know of an evening of dark postpunk and new wave music, at The Salutation Inn, Hounds Gate, Nottingham on Thursday 29th October.
so it seems, that the time comes near, when your long awaited record will be released? Great! I recently read an old english Bass Guitar Magazine from 2008, remembered your interview and now I'm happy to find the new Information and appetizers on the net. Hope to listen to your music soon!
.. PETER HOOK ROCKS! Cheers for the add, I am really happy about it have a rockin week Lots of love to Peter Hook and the rest of the band Free Bass!! Margaret
PETER HOOK ROCKS!
have a rockin week
Oh! Great teacher, thanks for agreeing. Regards from Buenos Aires, we wait for it here soon!