Cuttings

POST PUNK IN MANCHESTER In 1978, Joy Division turned their raw musicianship into a virtue, inventing an austere, intense, industrial sound. When local media figure Tony Wilson signed them to his new Factory label, a legendary era began. Heart & Soul Martin Hannett was Factory Records' genius in-house producer - a sonic alchemist inspired by dub and drugs. Martin Aston charts his mercurial rise and tragic end. "I WAS OUTRAGED," snorts Tony Wilson, former MD of Factory Records, when the subject of his late friend, business partner and nemesis is raised. “Last year I picked up this magazine article titled ‘The Ten Craziest Producers Of All Time’. And it didn’t include Martin Hannett! I immediately called the assistant editor, and said,‘You fucking cockney shite, how can you miss him off?’ “24 Hour Party People [the dramatised story of Wil

Joy Division producer dies MARTIN HANNETT (right), legendary producer of Joy Division. Happy Mondays and Buzzcocks, died suddenly at his Manchester home last week, following hospital treatment for a chest infection. Hannett was a founder partner in Manchester's Factory Communications and. in his work on Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures' and ‘Closer' LPs, became one of the world's most influential producers. "In 1979 and 1980 the most important producer in the world was Martin Hannett" said Anthony Wilson, chairman of Factory, “What he did changed the face ot international pop music." Hannett's involvement in the Manchester music scene dated back to the early '70s, when he promoted music events in the city. He picked up on the embryonic punk scene and was founder ot Rabid Records and manager of punk poet John Cooper Clarke. Apart from his work with Joy Division, Hannett also produced The Buzzcocks, Durutti Column, Magazine and U2.