Monaco (band)
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Monaco are an English rock band, originally formed in 1995 as a side project of New Order bassist Peter Hook, together with David Potts, the only remaining member of Hook's previous New Order side project, Revenge. The group is best known for the 1997 single " What Do You Want from Me?" and the album from which it was taken, '' Music for Pleasure'', which sold over half a million copies. Hook and Potts currently perform together in
Peter Hook and The Light Peter Hook and The Light are an English rock band, formed in May 2010 by bass guitarist/vocalist Peter Hook, formerly of the influential post-punk bands Joy Division and New Order. The band also features Hook's son Jack Bates (bass), as well ...
. In July 2019, Hook announced that the band were to return, performing a new Monaco track "Higher, Higher, Higher Love" during Peter Hook and The Light's ‘Joy Division Orchestrated’ show at London's Royal Albert Hall.


Debut album

Potts initially met Hook while working as a tape operator in his studio. He was later recruited to play guitar on Revenge's EP, ''Gun World Porn'' in 1992. After the breakup of Revenge, Hook and Potts reunited to form a more dance-oriented alternative group. Their first album, '' Music for Pleasure'', was released in 1997. Some critics remarked on the similarities to New Order's sound, owing to Hook's recognisable bass style and the resemblance between Potts' vocal style and
Bernard Sumner Bernard Sumner (born 4 January 1956) is an English singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is a founding member of the bands Joy Division, New Order, and Electronic. Sumner was an early force in several areas, including the po ...
's. Three singles were released from the album: '' What Do You Want from Me?'', ''Sweet Lips'', and ''Shine (Someone Who Needs Me)''.


Second album

In 1999,
Polydor Records Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...
rejected Monaco's eponymous second album, due to changing trends in music..
Papillon Records Papillon Records was a record label started by the Chrysalis Group (who had sold their Chrysalis Records division to EMI) in 1999 with longtime Chrysalis act Jethro Tull. Whilst Echo Records was formed to provide an outlet by new and indepen ...
agreed to release the album, though the planned single release of "I've Got a Feeling" was recalled in the UK due to sample clearance issues. "See-Saw" was later released as a limited run 12" single. Despite favorable reviews, the album was released with little to no promotion, and has become a collectible item.


Break-up, live reunions and ''The Light''

In 2000, tensions mounted in the studio, partly due to Potts' dissatisfaction with the band's failure to depart from a New Order-like sound, and partly due to Potts' workload. Following what Potts called "a disastrous gig" at the Eclipse festival, Hook and Potts had a major argument. They both took a break, and after letting things cool down, they met and decided it was best to split up Monaco. Potts eventually went on to form RAM and released a solo album, ''Coming Up for Air''. Meanwhile Hook reunited with New Order, playing with them until 2007, and formed
Freebass Freebass were an English rock supergroup consisting of, originally, three bassists: Andy Rourke (formerly of The Smiths), Peter Hook (formerly of Joy Division & New Order) and Gary "Mani" Mounfield (of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream) and ...
in 2007. After the success of the Revenge reissues in 2005, Hook announced that he and Potts were working on similar Monaco reissues for release some time in 2007: however, the reissues were not released. In March 2007, Hook and Potts performed Monaco songs together at the
Hard Rock Cafe Hard Rock Cafe, Inc. is a British-based multinational chain of theme restaurants, memorabilia shops, casinos and museums founded in 1971 by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton in London. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and r ...
in Manchester under the name "Hooky & Pottsy". Original Monaco drummer Paul Kehoe also played along with Hook's son Jack. In October 2007, the same line up performed again as Monaco at the Ritz in Manchester which raised money for Oxfam. In July 2013 it was announced that David Potts would be the new guitarist for The Light, Hook's new band, formed in 2009. At a book signing in Bath, promoting Hook's New Order biography ''Substance'', Hook revealed that he and Potts intended to reunite as Monaco in January 2017. However, at a similar event in 2017, Hook revealed the reunion was currently shelved, with Potts devoting time to his new baby.


2019 Return

At the "Joy Division Orchestrated" show at the Royal Albert Hall on July 6th 2019, Hook announced the return of Monaco, debuting their first new song in twenty years; "Higher, Higher, Higher Love".


Discography


Studio albums


Singles


References


External links


Bio from the fan run site "World in Motion"Bio from the fan run site "Neworderonline.com"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Monaco Alternative dance musical groups English house music groups Musical groups from Manchester Musical groups established in 1995 Musical groups disestablished in 2000 Musical groups reestablished in 2019 English electronic music duos English alternative rock groups Polydor Records artists English post-punk music groups Rock music duos