New Order consists of Bernard Sumner (vocals, guitar, synth), Gillian Gilbert (guitar, synth), Peter Hook (bass), Stephen Morris (drums, synth).
This article is about the rock band New Order; for other uses, see New Order (disambiguation).
New Order are an English rock group formed in 1980 by the surviving members of Joy Division following the suicide of singer Ian Curtis.
Early New Order was reminiscent of Joy Division, but they quickly evolved their own distinctive sound, and are often cited as a very significant influence on the dance music and dance club scene. Their sound can be described as a fusion of electronic dance music and post punk.
Current members are Bernard Sumner ( vocals, guitars, keyboards), Peter Hook ( bass), Stephen Morris ( drums, keyboards), and Phil Cunningham ( guitars, keyboards). In 2001, keyboardist Gillian Gilbert (joined in 1981; she and Morris are married) left the group due to family commitments, though no permanent line-up changes were ever announced.
From 1976 to 1980, Curtis, Hook, Morris, and Sumner formed a creative and influential body of work as Joy Division, often featuring heavy production input from producer Martin Hannett. Curtis committed suicide just prior to an American tour and the release of the band's second album, Closer, in May 1980. Intending not to let the band disappear with Curtis, the band rehearsed with each member taking turns at singing, ultimately choosing Sumner as the guitar was an easier instrument to play while singing. The group toured, then recorded a track with singer Kevin Hewick.