Hannett produced music by artists including Joy Division, the Durutti Column, A Certain Ratio,[2] Magazine, John Cooper Clarke, New Order, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and Happy Mondays.

[6][7] Hannett's production work began with the soundtrack for the animated film All Kinds of Heroes, written by future collaborator Steve Hopkins.

Hannett attracted more musical attention in 1977, when, as Martin Zero, he produced the first independent punk record,[8] Buzzcocks' Spiral Scratch EP.

Under the same moniker he produced early records by punk poet John Cooper Clarke, whose Salford monotone was complemented by drum machines, simple synthesiser motifs and Hannett's bass playing.

His production of their albums and singles incorporated looping technology to treat musical notes with an array of filters, echoes and delays.

"[10] He went on to produce all of Joy Division's studio recorded output, including their two albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer and single "Love Will Tear Us Apart", which became a hit following the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.

[citation needed] After leaving Factory, Hannett's career declined due to his heavy use of alcohol and drugs, especially heroin.

Hannett was portrayed by Andy Serkis in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People, a fictionalised depiction of Tony Wilson's career as the co-founder of Factory Records and The Haçienda nightclub.

In the DVD commentary for the film, Wilson notes a review that described Hannett as Serkis' "strangest role" and points out that the actor is best known for his portrayal of Gollum in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.