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 […]