NEW ORDER - NEW ORDER STAR HOOK CREATES BASSIST-HEAVY SUPERGROUP

NEW ORDER bass player PETER HOOK has created a new British indie rock supergroup with THE SMITHS star ANDY ROURKE and original STONE ROSES bass player GARY 'MANI' MOUNFIELD. The three bass guitarists are recording tracks with some of Britain's top singers, like THE CHARLATANS' TIM BURGESS and OASIS frontman LIAM GALLAGHER, for the project, called FREEBASE. Hook tells Billboard.com, "We've been working with some great singers. Tim Burgess has done a vocal for us. Liam Gallagher, I believe, is doing one, (as is) IAN BROWN and BOBBY GILLESPIE. "We're going to get them up on stage as well. It's nice that Mani and I can call in a few favours." Meanwhile, Hook and former MONACO bandmate DAVID POTTS will play their first shows together in seven years at Manchester, England's Hard Rock Cafe later this month (21MAR07).