Andy Rourke of The Smiths is no longer part of the Manchester triple-bass supergroup Freebass, which also features Peter Hook of New Order and Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield of The Stone Roses, according to a note posted on the band’s website.

More than three months after Duran Duran reissued its self-titled debut and ‘Seven and the Ragged Tiger,’ the band’s label, EMI, is defending the albums’ remastering amid fan complaints, acknowledging that ‘the mastering on these versions is different to that of previous remasters — however that does not necessarily make it wrong.’

For $200,000, New Order re-recorded ‘Blue Monday’ — allegedly the best-selling 12-inch of all time — for a Sunkist TV commercial (which also uses footage from the band’s Kathryn Bigelow-directed video for ‘Touched By the Hand of God’).

We mark today’s 30th anniversary of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis’ death by posting this clip of what’s arguably his most transcendent moment: ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart,’ appearing here in a version recorded Nov. 26, 1979, for a Peel session — the first time the song ever was recorded.

This week’s new releases include ‘Your Future Our Clutter,’ the 28th album from The Fall, plus the 2CD ‘This is Big Audio Dynamite: Legacy Edition,’ a new EP from James, a KMFDM remix disc, a best-of from The Triffids and a Robs Records compilation.

Less than a month after dropping its debut EP, Peter Hook’s triple-bass supergroup Freebass — which also features The Smiths’ Andy Rourke and Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream — today released its five-years-in-the-making album, ‘It’s a Beautiful Life.’

Foiled by an Icelandic volcano, New Order spinoff Bad Lieutenant today canceled its remaining U.S. tour dates next week, marking the second time in six months the band has called off what were to be its first-ever American concerts.