Freebass
| Company type | Supergroup (band) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Peter Hook, Gary "Mani" Mounfield |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Rock music |
| Parent | 24 Hour Service Station (label) |
Freebass was a British rock supergroup initially composed of three bass guitarists—Andy Rourke (formerly of The Smiths), Peter Hook (ex-member of Joy Division and New Order), and Gary "Mani" Mounfield (known from The Stone Roses and Primal Scream)—along with vocalist Gary Briggs (previously with Haven). Rourke eventually departed from the ensemble.
Their music style merged elements of contemporary rock, dub, and Northern soul.
History
Created in 2005 by Hook and Mani during breaks from their primary bands, Freebass revolved around the unique concept of three bassists. Hook described their roles: "Mani handles the low end, Andy Rourke plays the middle register, and I cover the higher parts." In 2006, they produced "The Tower," which served as the theme for Channel 4 Radio's The Tube.
By late 2006, Hook announced that they had developed 17 tracks for their first album and demonstrated a strong determination to overcome early doubts about the project.
Following some postponements, in 2010 Hook arranged a distribution agreement with the American independent label 24-Hour Service Station. The group released the Two Worlds Collide EP digitally in March, followed by a CD version in August. Their debut full album, It's a Beautiful Life, was issued digitally in April and later as an expanded CD edition in September across Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia, with a December release for other regions.
In August 2010, the band publicly confirmed Rourke’s exit, clarifying that although he contributed to initial recordings, he would not participate in live performances due to his residence in New York City.
Andy Rourke passed away on 19 May 2023.
Gary “Mani” Mounfield died on 20 November 2025.
Studio albums
- It's a Beautiful Life (2010), released through 24 Hour Service Station / Essential (Europe, Australia & Southeast Asia)
EPs
- Two Worlds Collide (2010), 24 Hour Service Station
- You Don't Know This About Me – The Arthur Baker Remixes (2010), 24 Hour Service Station
- Fritz von Runte vs Freebass Redesign (2010), 24 Hour Service Station
- Two Worlds Collide – The Instrumental Mixes (2010), 24 Hour Service Station
Singles
- "Live Tomorrow You Go Down" (2010), 24 Hour Service Station