A four-song EP of Joy Division re-recordings that Peter Hook had planned to release this week has been delayed by unspecified legal issues, the bassist said today in an announcement that suggests the release may never see the light of day.

Peter Hook today released official music videos for his new version of Joy Division’s unfinished ‘Pictures in My Mind’ and a new re-recording of the ‘Atmosphere’ featuring onetime Happy Mondays singer Rowetta handling lead vocals.

Bassist Peter Hook appeared on British radio today to premiere two tracks off the upcoming EP of Joy Division re-recordings — including his new take on an unfinished Joy Division track called ‘Pictures in My Mind.’

Having spent much of last year touring ‘Unknown Pleasures,’ bassist Peter Hook will continue to relive his Joy Division days in 2011, performing the band’s second album — 1980’s ‘Closer’ — in May and releasing an EP of new recordings of four Joy Division songs — including one that’s never been released.

Not much coming out this week after Christmas, except for an import of the new Shaun Ryder best-of ‘XXX: 30 Years of Bellyaching,’ featuring tracks by Happy Mondays, Black Grape and Gorillaz.

Slicing Up Eyeballs recently chatted with Peter Hook about his upcoming tour of the U.S., during which he’ll perform Joy Division’s ‘Unknown Pleasures’; the acrimonious split of Freebass; and his plans to re-record classic Joy Division tracks for a new EP.

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.’

Last night, bassist Peter Hook marked the 30th anniversary of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis’ death by performing the band’s 1979 debut ‘Unknown Pleasures’ in its entirety — plus assorted other Joy Division and Warsaw songs — at his Manchester club FAC251 The Factory.

After touring the U.S. last year in a somewhat odd paring with the Happy Mondays, New Wave icons Psychedelic Furs return to North America from late May through early July with a 25-date club tour.

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.

Turns out Peter Hook’s Freebass may not be the only Stone Roses/Smiths collaboration afoot: Ex-Roses vocalist Ian Brown this week told the BBC he’s planning […]

Yesterday, Slicing Up Eyeballs hit a somewhat negligible milestone, the six-month mark in its still-nascent existence chronicling the past, present and future of ’80s college […]

Rhino Records today released a digital version of its four-disc Factory Records: Communications 1978-92 box set via iTunes, collecting 63 tracks — spanning Joy Division […]