Revenge was
New Order bassist
Peter Hook's critically maligned and commercially rebuffed side project. Exhibiting a sleazy image -- the band's first album
One True Passion featured provocative shots of scantily clad women -- and a noisier sound than
New Order,
Revenge was
Hook's attempt to divest himself from his accomplishments with
Joy Division and
New Order. However,
Revenge didn't have
Joy Division's grim intensity and intellectual depth or
New Order's smooth amalgam of rock and disco; instead, the group was unfocused and self-indulgent. The throb of
Hook's trademark basslines -- so distinguishable on
Joy Division and
New Order records -- was nixed for less tuneful grooves. Formed in the late '80s by
Hook,
Dave Hicks (guitar), and
Chris "CJ" Jones (keyboards),
Revenge debuted with a live performance at a London bondage party in January 1990.
One True Passion was also released that year. Seeking controversy, the video for "Pineapple Face" was banned because
Hook adorned his neck with a chastity belt.
Hicks was eventually replaced by the band's touring bassist,
David Potts, and the band recorded the EP
Gun World Porn in 1992. As with its predecessor,
Gun World Porn was ripped to shreds in the press. After
Revenge broke up in 1992,
Hook returned to
New Order. In 1997,
Hook collaborated again with
Potts as
Monaco.
–
Michael Sutton, Rovi