Pitchfork

Though we've heard this sorta talk out of them before, Freebass-- the all-bass low end supergroup featuring New Order bassist Peter Hook, Smiths bassist Andy Rourke, and ex-Stone Roses/current Primal Scream (you guessed it) bassist Mani-- have been rattling subwoofers in the studio as they crank out their debut album.

According to Hook-- who recently spoke to Billboard.com about the project-- the album is not quite half done, though he and the lads hope to knock it out before Christmas. Hook also says he'd like very much for Freebass to play festivals next year once the album's in the can. "With the demise of New Order, I was happy to just not play for a while but now I'm missing it," he told Billboard. "And I want to get into it as soon as possible." No word on how those auditions for a singer went, but the Charlatans' Tim Burgess and the Stone Roses' Ian Brown are apparently working with the group. One would also think that guy from Crash Test Dummies with the ultra-low voice would be a natural fit.

Hook posted a Freebass track, "I Envy Us", on his MySpace. Shockingly, there are guitars and drums on it. Even synthesizers! Bells! Horns! And a voice that reminds you over and over again that this is Peter Hook's MySpace.

In other related topics, there's a Joy Division documentary screening during this month's Toronto International Film Festival, to say nothing of Control, which hits theaters soon. Joe Pernice is working on a screenplay loosely based on his book on the Smiths' Meat Is Murder, and some places are reporting that some jokers from "Reno 911!" are working on a Morrissey musical, but we'll believe that when it's actually singing and dancing right in front of us. As for Primal Scream, they'll spend the weekend on the Isle of Wight at Bestival.

Peter Hook has a few DJ dates scheduled for November as well.

Peter Hook DJ dates:

11-02 Chicago, IL - Smart Bar
11-03 Detroit, MI - Blue Room
11-09 Monterrey, Mexico - Universal Forum of Cultures
11-10 Mexico City, Mexico - Universal Forum of Cultures