Stereogum — Longstanding Chicago garage crew Ponys are set to release the Deathbed Plus 4 EP, their first collection since 2007’s Turn Out The Lights. Our introduction is the surprisingly seductive “Check The Doors.” Surprising because at first blush it se... more info

Mercury News, California — Joy Division lives on. more info

Guardian Music — Loops writer Owen Hatherley explains how, in the city that helped break the Sex Pistols and Joy Division, property development became the new punk rockAlex HealeyMichael Tait more info

Guardian Music — Time for something a bit different this week, as Music Weekly investigates incredible lost synth-pop from the early 80s. Cold Wave was a scene that was never a scene – a bunch of musicians scattered across Europe (and beyond) who emerged out o... more info

Guardian Music — Freebass, comprising bassists from New Order, the Smiths and the Stone Roses, release EP featuring vocals from the Charlatans' Tim Burgess and, er, Howard MarksWith little fanfare – or even a bass solo – the all-bass supergroup, Freebas... more info

Guardian Music — This Manchester mope patrol strive for the soaring melancholia of Joy Division and the Cure, but sound like another Elbow or ColdplayHometown: Manchester.The lineup: Elliott Williams (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Tom Dyball (bass), Marcus Wheeldon (gu... more info

Allmusic Blog — 1979 seemed to be overloaded with great singles in all sorts of areas. Most of the greatness was coming out of England, from the last gasp of punk (although it hardly sounded tired when Stiff Little Fingers pumped out "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspec... more info

ContactMusic — Bernard Sumner said he sometimes finds it "annoying" that he was in Joy Division.The guitarist with the cult band - who suffered a tragic end when their singer... more info

Guardian Music — The capital's soul is harder to pin down than other cities because its musical climate can change between postcodesIf London had the grid system of Manhattan, or had been rebuilt entirely like the Paris of Haussmann, then maybe it would have a readil... more info

NME — Ex-drug dealer Howard Marks to compere evenings more info