Monaco (band)
English rock band formed as a New Order side project.
Monaco are an English rock band that began in 1995 as a side project for New Order bassist Peter Hook, alongside David Potts—the last member left from Hook’s earlier side project, Revenge. They are most famous for their 1997 single “What Do You Want from Me?” and the album it came from, *Music for Pleasure*, which sold more than half a million copies. Today, Hook, Potts, and drummer Paul Kehoe all play together in Peter Hook and the Light.
Hook and Potts first met when Potts was working as a tape operator in Hook’s studio. Potts later played guitar on Revenge’s 1992 EP *Gun World Porn*. After Revenge split, the two reunited to form a more dance-oriented alternative group. Their debut album, *Music for Pleasure*, came out in 1997. Critics noted its similarity to New Order’s sound, thanks to Hook’s unmistakable bass style and the resemblance between Potts’s vocals and Bernard Sumner’s. The album produced three singles: “What Do You Want from Me?”, “Sweet Lips”, and “Shine (Someone Who Needs Me)”.
In 1999, Polydor Records rejected Monaco’s self-titled second album because of shifting musical trends. Papillon Records agreed to put it out, but the planned single “I’ve Got a Feeling” was recalled in the UK due to sample clearance issues. A limited 12" single of “See-Saw” was later released. Despite good reviews, the album got little promotion and has since become a collector’s item.
By 2000, tensions in the studio were rising, partly because Potts was unhappy that the band hadn’t moved away from a New Order-like sound, and partly due to his heavy workload. After what Potts called “a disastrous gig” at the Eclipse festival, Hook and Potts had a major argument. They took a break, then met and agreed to end Monaco. Potts later formed RAM and released a solo album, *Coming Up for Air*. Hook rejoined New Order until 2007 and formed Freebass that same year.
Following the success of Revenge reissues in 2005, Hook said he and Potts were working on similar Monaco reissues for 2007, but those never came out. In March 2007, Hook and Potts performed Monaco songs together at the Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester under the name “Hooky & Pottsy”, with original drummer Paul Kehoe and Hook’s son Jack. In October 2007, the same lineup played as Monaco at the Ritz in Manchester, raising money for Oxfam. In July 2013, Potts became the new guitarist for the Light, Hook’s band formed in
- formed
- 1995
- origin
- England
- genre
- Rock, dance-oriented alternative
- known_for
- 1997 single "What Do You Want from Me?" and album Music for Pleasure
- members
- Peter Hook, David Potts, Paul Kehoe
Lore & Background
Monaco were formed in 1995 by New Order bassist Peter Hook and David Potts, the only remaining member of Hook's earlier side project Revenge. Potts initially met Hook while working as a tape operator in his studio and later played guitar on Revenge's EP Gun World Porn in 1992. After Revenge broke up, Hook and Potts reunited to form a more dance-oriented alternative group. Their debut album, Music for Pleasure, was released in 1997, with three singles: "What Do You Want from Me?", "Sweet Lips", and "Shine (Someone Who Needs Me)". Some critics noted similarities to New Order's sound due to Hook's bass style and the resemblance between Potts' vocal style and Bernard Sumner's.
In 1999, Polydor Records rejected Monaco's eponymous second album due to changing music trends. Papillon Records agreed to release it, though the planned single "I've Got a Feeling" was recalled in the UK due to sample clearance issues. "See-Saw" was later released as a limited run 12" single. Despite favorable reviews, the album received little promotion and became a collectible item. Tensions mounted in 2000, partly from Potts' dissatisfaction with the band's failure to depart from a New Order-like sound and his workload. After a disastrous gig at the Eclipse festival, Hook and Potts had a major argument, took a break, and decided to split up Monaco.
After the split, Potts formed RAM and released a solo album, Coming Up for Air. Hook reunited with New Order until 2007 and formed Freebass in 2007. In March 2007, Hook and Potts performed Monaco songs together at the Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester as "Hooky & Pottsy", with original drummer Paul Kehoe and Hook's son Jack. In October 2007, the same lineup performed as Monaco at the Ritz in Manchester for Oxfam. In July 2013, Potts became the new guitarist for Hook's band the Light. At a book signing in Bath, Hook revealed plans to reunite Monaco in January 2017, but later said the reunion was shelved due to Potts' new baby. In July 2019, at the 'Joy Division Orchestrated' show at the Royal Albert Hall, Hook announced Monaco's return, debuting the new song "Higher, Higher, Higher Love".
Reader's Guide
Monaco's significance lies in their brief but commercially successful run as a side project of New Order's Peter Hook, producing the 1997 album Music for Pleasure, which sold over half a million copies. The band's sound, heavily influenced by Hook's distinctive bass style and Potts' vocal resemblance to Bernard Sumner, drew comparisons to New Order, which both helped and hindered them. Their second album was rejected by Polydor due to changing trends and released with minimal promotion, becoming a collectible item. The band's legacy includes periodic reunions, most notably a 2019 return with a new song, and the continued performance of Monaco material by Hook, Potts, and Kehoe in Peter Hook and the Light. The reissues of both albums on vinyl in 2024 and 2025, along with the belated single release of "I've Got a Feeling" in 2025, have renewed interest in the band's catalog.
Did You Know?
- Monaco's debut album Music for Pleasure sold over half a million copies.
- The planned single 'I've Got a Feeling' was recalled in the UK due to sample clearance issues.
- In July 2019, Monaco debuted their first new song in twenty years, 'Higher, Higher, Higher Love', at the Royal Albert Hall.
- Both Monaco albums were reissued on coloured double vinyl by Music on Vinyl in 2024 and 2025.
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