Manchester's Freebass, a collaboration between Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Peter Hook, and ex-Smiths Andy Rourke, have split on the eve of the release of their debut album It's A Beautiful Life.
From Manchester Evening News: Ex-Stone Roses bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield set tongues wagging with a ferocious attack on his bandmate Peter Hook which accused the former New Order and Joy Division bassist of trading on his past glories.
And the band's representatives have now confirmed that Freebass are no longer a functioning group.
Mani admitted that he had gone into a "meltdown" by publishing a string of comments on his Twitter account which appeared to refer to a breakdown in his musical relationship with Hook.
In one he responded to a question about whether he had left Freebass by writing: "I've actually got an ongoing career, so I don't feel the need to exploit my past glories. I exist in the here and the now."
Another barbed comment asked: "Ever wondered why I'm universally loved, and another manc ex legend in his own mind is despised by most...simple really, treat people with the same respect as you would expect from them, live in the present and don't surround yourself with yes men, nodding dogs and sycophants."
Mani added a series of insults which appeared to be aimed at Hook during his tirade on Tuesday night (which included, "3 things visible from space, great wall of china, peter hooks wallet stuffed with ian Curtis blood money, man citys empty trophy cabinet!")
A statement from the band's representatives said: "It is with great sadness that just prior to the long awaited album release of It's A Beautiful Life we have to announce that the much-anticipated Mancunian union of bassists, Freebass, is no longer a functioning group.
"Recent events have made Freebass entirely unviable as a band, and with this in mind, it has been decided that the project should be shelved, rather than placed on hiatus while members pursue their other interests.
"The band would like to take the opportunity to thanks friends and fans for their support and interest, especially on the UK tour in June 2010. We also hope that people will enjoy the album, which concludes five years of work and treat it on its own merits."
Mani added another message on his Twitter account on Thursday saying: "Everything is ok. I shouldn't air my laundry in public. Meltdown time. I need to give this game up, I can't trust nobody anymore."
