TRUE Order, the East Lancashire band who are kicking up a storm as Britain’s only tribute act to New Order, start their first nationwide tour at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre next month.

The New Order doppelgangers have already built up a dedicated following, playing well-received shows at King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

Their first video release, a recording of the King George’s Hall gig, is out soon and they follow that with their tribute show, their first one this year, at the Grand on February 21.

“We are local lads from Blackburn, Accrington and Great Harwood and the one thing we all share is our love for New Order’s music,” said drummer Pete Norman.

“Joy Division and New Order are two of the most influential bands of all time and there was always a strong New Order connection to Blackburn.”

Ronnie Brown, who attracted The Fall and New Order bass legend Peter Hook to Blackburn’s North Bar, is helping True Order to establish themselves on the circuit.

“Ronnie’s our manager and I don’t think we could have done it without him because he has so many contacts.

“It is unbelievable how it has taken off. We are getting bookings from all over the country.

“We’ve played together locally in different bands for many years without much success, so it is a really nice feeling to be in demand for gigs.

“As far as we know we are the only band doing a tribute to New Order.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of arguably New Order’s most influential album, Low Life.

Pete said: “There’s so many great tracks on that album – The Perfect Kiss, Love Vigilantes, Sunrise and Elegia, songs that still firmly stand the test of time.

“The earlier material does too – Blue Monday, True Faith and Confusion – and we pride ourselves on performing them with the energy and attitude that made New Order one of the world’s biggest bands in the world.”

Pete, who also played in local outfit Crystal Mindset, added: “It has taken a year to master many of the songs because they are so complex, but when we were doing them in rehearsals we realised just how ground-breaking their music was.

“We are really looking forward to playing the Grand and seeing how New Order’s music sounds in such an incredible venue.”

Joy Division were formed in 1976 in Salford. At first Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis (vocals and occasional guitar), Bernard Sumner (guitar and keyboards),[1] Peter Hook (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Stephen Morris (drums and percussion).

On the eve of the band’s first American tour in May 1980, Curtis committed suicide. Joy Division’s posthumously released second album, Closer (1980), and the single Love Will Tear Us Apart became the band’s highest charting releases. After the death of Curtis, the remaining members continued as New Order.

  • True Order, Clitheroe Grand, Saturday, February 21. Details from the box office on 01200 421599.