The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club [Audio Download]

Fac 51 - The Hacienda - How Not To Run A Club - Peter Hook

The Hacienda - several things spring to mind when the name is mentioned - gangsters , guns, drugs, violence , acid house - we've heard it all before ..... Or have we?

Peter Hook, bass player in Joy Division / New Order and co-owner of the Hacienda candidly tells the story of Manchester's most iconic super club from its inception to its closure .

Hooky gives a unique insight into the heady days of club culture in Manchester. From the Ben Kelly design which went five times over budget, to police interference ,monotonous weekly management meetings and the financial nightmare that the Hacienda became. As if we wouldn't expect any less, Hooky writes the book in his typical trademark tongue in cheek fashion. Hooky's direct, tell it as it is, approach grips the reader from the start to finish. While it becomes clear throughout the book that none of those involved had any idea of how to run a successful club or bar, the excitement felt at being involved in the ever evolving music scene is evident through Hooky's enthusiastic descriptions and anecdotes.

A chapter is devoted to each year the Hacienda was open and includes 16 illustrated pictures of the Hacienda inside and out, posters, flyers and even a rare picture of the enigma, Alan Erasmus. The "What's On" section from each year lists the events that took place every month and will take many people back and jog memories for the ones who had forgotten they were there! Excerpts from the company accounts and committee meetings are also provided for each year, illustrating the costs involved and the difficulties faced financially.

This story is not just Hooky's story, but also the story of the many other people involved in The Hacienda, The Dry Bar and Factory records and how these initially separate enterprises became inextricably linked. We learn not only how the relationships of those involved developed over the years but how the careers of renowned club dj's were launched, such as Hacienda pot collector Laurent Garnier, John Dasilva and Mike Pickering.

In 1997 the doors to the country's most famous club closed forever, but the memory, for those who lived through the highs and lows lives on in this book ,in this story, Hooky's story.

This a great read and highly recommended, not only for the true New Order/ Peter Hook fan but for anyone with an interest in the rise and fall of the Hacienda and the evolvement of the British music and club scene of the 1980's and 1990's.

Steve Smith

www.neworderinfoweb.piczo.com

An excellent new view on an already familiar tale. Tony Wilson has given his perspective.
Now Hooky gives us a warts and all run through of the 14 years that most of the money
made by New Order was ploughed into the black hole which was the Hacienda. Essential reading
for all prospective club owners and historians of modern Manchester. He had a lot of fun
but it cost him. Well written and full of anecdotes which I had never heard before.

I've never been to the Hacienda - not even been to Manchester.
Anayway, as a long time German New Order fan, I took a great deal of interest in everything, the band was doing.
I always was more a Barney fan than a Hooky follower - but... "How Not To Run A Club" changed that quite a bit.
Hooky tells the story of the Hacienda from his point of view: He tells the ups and downs and even more downs and the many maistakes and misfortunes the Hac and especially New Order and he himself were involved in.
The writig is funnny and ironic, written from a knowing and distant perspective. The story Hooky tells is exciting and funny, sometimes sad. I would have prefered more New Order insider stories - the Ibiza interlude and its Rock'n Roll anecdotes are very entertaining - but well, its all about the club, isn't it? "How Not To Run A Club" is a book about idealism, friendship and loyalty, loss and things falling apart - and, after all, music and lust for life.
The playlists and pictures give more information abou the Hacs unique history and make me even more regret that I've never been there.
Highly recommended!