Mani Apologises To Hook Over Online Outburst

PRIMAL SCREAM bassist MANI has apologised to his former FREEBASS bandmate PETER HOOK after launching a vicious attack aimed at his pal on Twitter.com.

The pair teamed up with The Smiths’ Andy Rourke and former Haven singer Gary Briggs in 2005 to form the group, but announced earlier this month (Sep10) that the set-up was “entirely unviable as a band” after Rourke walked out - just days before they released their second album.

Following the split announcement, Mani took aim at Hook online, - accusing him of getting rich on “Ian Curtis’ blood money” after he recently performed on the 30th anniversary of the Joy Division star’s suicide

He also derided the band’s latest material, tweeting that it “belongs… in the fking bargain bin before it’s even released”.

But the star has now spoken out to say sorry to Hook over his outburst - blaming the band’s break-up on his bitter rant.

He says, “I wish to apologise unreservedly to Peter Hook and his family regarding comments made on a social networking site which was totally out of character for me. It was a venomous, spiteful reaction to a lot of things that are going on in my life right now and I chose to vent my frustrations and anger at one of my true friends in this filthy business, and ventured into territory which was none of my concern.

“The Freebass thing has tipped me over the edge and became the focus of my bilious rants. Twenty-two years of being tripped up, face down in the mud and being kicked in the face with an iron boot will do that to the most stable of men. I hope I haven’t blown a great friendship forever. Sorry Pete.”

And Hook immediately accepted the apology, adding, “Mani is a great friend of mine and he always will be. I have the utmost respect for him as a person and musician. Have none of you ever fallen out with somebody you love?”