Former Joy Division bassist Peter Hook spoke to the Daily Record about coming to terms with Ian Curtis's death by playing the band's music again.
After Curtis committed suicide 30 years ago, Hook avoided playing the band's music for years. He is now performing Joy Division's debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in its entirety with backing band The Light.
Hook on recovering from Curtis's death:
"Closure comes from living with it every day for 30 years, I suppose. There is always the puzzle about why it happened and that will never go. You never step away from it because you can't escape it.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart was voted Manchester's favourite record last week. I hear it all the time. There's just no getting away from it.
"Anyway, I don't want to step away any more. New Order were embarrassed by it and we did our best to hide it and ignore it but now, in my dotage, I am not afraid to embrace it and say we did all right."
He also spoke about the feeling of playing the band's music again.
"After 30 years, it is very, very nice to get the music back. I had forgotten how much I missed it.
"In a funny way, there is no guilt involved now. I felt really guilty about doing it when I first started. There was a lot of criticism and backbiting around it but now I am getting to the stage where I am just really enjoying it.
Hook stepped up to the microphone for the run of shows with the light.
"At first, it was terrifying. The intention was never for me to sing because I f***ing hate it. I'd rather play bass - it's much easier and more enjoyable for me.
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"Learning 23 sets of lyrics was a nightmare but, now I have done it for a while, I am really enjoying it. I surprised myself with that. Me singing keeps a line through it which is very important. With someone else singing, it could become a pastiche."
