New Order bassist Peter Hook is gathering some famous friends to collaborate on his new project, Freebass. The trio -- which comprises Hook, former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and former Stone Roses/current Primal Scream bassist Mani -- will turn the mic over to some of Manchester, England's best-known frontmen.

"We've been working with some great singers. (The Charlatans') Tim Burgess has done a vocal for us. (Oasis') Liam Gallagher, I believe, is doing one [song], (Stone Roses') Ian Brown and (Primal Scream's) Bobby Gillespie," Hook tells Billboard.com. "We're going to get them up on stage as well. It's nice that Mani and I can call in a few favors. We were going to call it 'Fourbase,' but it didn't have the same ring to it," he laughs.

Hook spoke to Billboard after the recent NME Awards in London, where he presented the best British band trophy to Muse. Although the Freebase project is not yet signed to a label, Hook confesses, "It's great to write again. I'm really excited about it."

Hook, however, remains coy on prospects of a follow-up to New Order's most recent album, "Waiting for the Sirens' Call." "It's possible," he says, "But I'm not too sure the climate is great for [a New Order album] at the moment."

Hook and former Revenge and Monaco bandmate David Potts will perform March 21 under the guise of "Hooky" and "Pottsy" at Manchester's Hard Rock Cafe. It will be the first time the pair have shared a stage in seven years. Proceeds will benefit the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity.