Martin Hannett help craft the sound of a generation, most notably through his sparse, reverb-heavy production of Joy Division — plus work with other acts from Manchester and beyond, including landmark tracks by OMD, U2 and New Order, as well as the debut single by The Stone Roses.

Exactly 28 years ago today, The Smiths took the stage for only their third concert — and only their second with the final Morrissey/Johnny Marr/Andy Rourke/Mike Joyce lineup — opening for Factory Records funk band 52nd Street at New Order’s infamous Manchester club The Hacienda.

The U.K. arm of Rhino Records next month will celebrate the life and music of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis with a new limited-edition box set collecting 10 newly remastered 7-inch singles by the classic postpunk act.

Guitarist Vini Reilly — frontman of iconic Factory Records post-punk outfit The Durutti Column — recently suffered ‘a minor stroke,’ according to a post today on the band’s website, ‘but after four days in hospital and then discharging himself he is well on the road to recovery.’

Shaun Ryder — leader of Factory Records troublemakers Happy Mondays — celebrates his 48th birthday today, and to mark the occasion, here’s a vintage live performance of the band’s biggest hit: ‘Step On,’ their cover of John Kongos’ 1971 single ‘He’s Gonna Step On You Again.’

The surviving members of Factory Records post-punk outfit Section 25 next month will release ‘Retrofit,’ a remix disc — completed before the untimely death last February of frontman Larry Cassidy — that features 10 of the band’s favorite tracks ‘remade and remodeled using new technology.’

Ex-New Order bassist Peter Hook will dig through his celebrated musical past this spring, embarking on a U.K. spoken-word tour and performing a set of Joy Division songs at his new Manchester club on the 30th anniversary of Ian Curtis’ death.

Larry Cassidy, co-founder and frontman of Factory Records postpunk outfit Section 25, has died, British music journalist John Robb reports today on his blog. The circumstances surrounding Cassidy’s death are not yet known.

To mark the release of ‘Ceremony: A New Order Tribute,’ the fine folks at the 24 Hour Service Station record label have provided Slicing Up Eyeballs with a copy of this excellent 2CD compilation to give away to one lucky reader.

This week’s new releases include reissues from Frankie Goes to Hollywood (‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’), Buggles (‘Adventures in Modern Recording’), Madness (‘Absolutely,’ ‘7’), Julian Cope (‘Peggy Suicide’) and A Certain Ratio (‘Force’), plus a new Plimsouls live album from 1981.

Peter Hook last night christened his new Manchester club FAC251 — housed in the former headquarters of Factory Records — with members of The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays helping perform a career-spanning set that included the live debuts of an unfinished Joy Division song and a New Order outtake.

Florida-based record label 24 Hour Service Station next month will release a two-disc tribute to New Order, proceeds from which will benefit the Salford Foundation Trust’s Tony Wilson Awards, established in memory of the late Factory Records co-founder and Manchester musical icon.

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