Download the new Cerysmatic Factory Desktop Wallpapers to decorate your computer screen. The initial selection features such delights as The Twelve Inches of New Order. Send in your requests to Cerysmatic Factory.

Labels: New_Order

Hopper recorded two singles for Damaged Goods before being signed by Factory Too.

The gorgeously-named Baby Oil Applicator 10" single came after the debut 7" Hunter was unveiled in a folded paper sleeve.

After they were signed 'Wasted' was their debut Factory Too single. Joe Magee took up design duties before he handed the baton over to the one and only skateboarding designer Ed Templeton. Check out the updated Hopper discography.

Labels: Factory_Too, labels

Light at the end of the tunnel Tunnelvision reformed in April 2003 after a 22 year break. The band's Tony Ashworth takes up the story: "When the Haçienda was demolished Pete Hook retrieved a demo tape (which he had remixed) for our second single and after listening to it this got everyone talking about writing and rehearsing again. We have written a set of completely new material and hope to play live in the near future". Also check out the new Tunnelvision website and hopefully more news on those dates will be available soon.

Labels: Tunnelvision

Covered The sleeve image (admittedly not a big one) for the previously mentioned cd re-release of The Graveyard and the Ballroom is available at the Fusion Records website. It appears to be based on the sleeve for Facus 4 Do The Du (casse) whereas Early featured elements of Flight. The album has previously been out on cd via Creation Records but it's hard to come by these days.

Risen from the grave The Esprit website and the The Soul Jazz Records website are carrying varying degrees of information about the forthcoming cd reissue of A Certain Ratio's classic studio/live album 'The Graveyard and The Ballroom' which was previously issued on Factory cassette.



Tracklisting for the CD is as follows: 1. Do The Du, 2. Faceless, 3. Crippled Child, 4. Choir, 5. Flight, 6. I feel, 7. Strain, 8. All Night Party, 9. Oceans, 10. The Choir, 11. The Fox, 12. Suspect, 13. Flight, 14. Genotype/Phenotype, 15. And Then Again (Bonus track), 16. The Thin Boys (Bonus track)



The vinyl edition features the last two cd tracks on a "bonus" 12" single.



Soul Jazz previously issued the ACR compilation 'Early' and also 'In The Beginning There Was Rhythm' featuring ACR, Cabaret Voltaire and (non-Fac) The Human League.



Watch this space for a full illustrated ACR on Factory discography.

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio, Cabaret_Voltaire, Factory_Records

Thank you Full review to come of the Durutti Column show in Porto but time for now for some pics and to say a big, big thank you to Luis and family for getting our tickets in the first place and for all their hospitality whilst we were out there and of course to the band for taking the time to chat after the show.

Labels: The_Durutti_Column

Friends in Portugal The Durutti Column played to an enthusiastic crowd at the splendid Teatro Rivoli on Saturday night in Portugal. Our front row seats afforded us a great view of the three-piece (Vini Reilly, Keir Stewart, Bruce Mitchell) band on a large stage. Full report to come soon.

Labels: The_Durutti_Column

The launch party for The Peter Saville Show was held at Urbis on Wednesday 21 January and was attended by a galaxy of stars including Peter Saville, Bernard Sumner, Mike Pickering, Rowetta, Bez, Tony Wilson and Peter Hook. Check out the photos on Rowetta's Noticeboard.

Labels: Bernard_Sumner, design, graphic_design, Mike_Pickering, Peter_Hook, Peter_Saville, Tony_Wilson, Urbis

The British New Wave was born at a boys' school near Manchester according to an excellent Rick Poynor article which appears in Eye 49 (Autumn 2003). Peter Saville, Malcolm Garrett and, er, Keith Breeden all attended the same A level art class at Ambrose College, Cheshire, UK. Thanks to Steven for article-spotting. It's open season on Saville articles again...

Pride of Manchester lists some "superb compilation albums... that can be proudly claim to be 100% made in Manchester". Includes such Factory (and Fac-esque) delights as Fact 400 Palatine, North: The Sound of the Dance Underground (featuring T-Coy's 'Carino' and ED209 (an ACR spin-off), Martin, 24 Hour Party People Original Soundtrack and Fact 24 A Factory Quartet. Fac 2 A Factory Sample creeps in there too but that's not really an album.

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio

... according to Peter Saville in a new interview on Manchester Online to coincide with the Peter Saville Show at Urbis which starts 23 January 2004.

Labels: Peter_Saville

At Home is a landmark new project created by Peter Saville for the city of Manchester which will be displayed on eight billboards throughout the city. [from the Urbis website].

"At Home will be a collection of eight different images and objects chosen by Peter Saville from his estate, objects which inspired him as he was growing up and studying and working in his home city of Manchester.

"At Home turns Manchester itself into a gallery, giving everyone in the city a chance to be part of the exhibition.

"At Home is a biographical collection of my inspiration and influence – the objects which were fundamental to me during my time in Manchester and influenced my work." Peter Saville"

At Home is on from 22 March to 18 April 2004 on billboards throughout Manchester.

Labels: Manchester, Peter_Saville

A whole raft of supporting events is scheduled to coincide with the Peter Saville Show's stint at Urbis in Manchester from 23 January and to 18 April 2004...

Made In Manchester - a series of design masterclasses with Trevor Johnson (Via Communications, ex-Johnson/Panas) and David Crow (Head of School of Design, Manchester Metropolitan University).

Creative City (Thursday 11 March 2004, 10am - 5pm) is for those looking for a career in the creative industries.

An Evening With Peter Saville (7.30-9pm, Wednesday/Thursday 24/25 March 2004) is a kind of reprise of the The Peter Saville Talkon 2 Sept 2003 from the London show: "On two exclusive dates you will have a chance to hear what inspires and motivates a design legend, as Saville discusses his work with Factory records to the state of graphic design today. The evening will be an informal discussion, based on conversation and questions from the audience. Tickets priced £10 and concessions £7.50

All this and a free showing of 24 Hour Party People with an introductory Q&A session with Tony Wilson. Tuesday 16 March 7pm. Free.

Booking is essential for all event. Call the Urbis Box Office to book on 0161 907 9099

More details on the Urbis website.

Labels: Factory_Records, Tony_Wilson

Just how did Fac 51 The Haçienda get its cedilla?

Legend has it that although Spanish has no cedilla (unlike French), Rob Gretton wanted the title of his new baby to have one so that when the ç and the i nestled up close to one another, they spelt '51'.

Next week, "How did Motörhead get their umlaut?"

Labels: FAC51_The_Hacienda, Rob_Gretton

Did you used to dance onstage arms aloft or skulk in corners with Happy Mondays at Fac 51 The Hacienda?

If so, you may already have heard about Over-Rated, the "brainchild of three thirtysomethings, Anthony Teasdale, Anthony Hill and Sean Bidder who mis-spent much of 2003 reviving club nights for, as they put it, "Johnny-come-latelys and media wankers"."

If not (and maybe if yes), check out the February edition of Word magazine. Apparently for their recreation of the Hac they replicated the famed Ben Kelly-designed interior using yellow paper and black masking tape.

Over-Rated has also recreated Shoom, Shelley's and The Paradise Garage.

Labels: Ben_Kelly, FAC51_The_Hacienda, Happy_Mondays

The Domo Arigato video by The Durutti Column (originally released as Fact 144) is now available on VHS video from those nice people at Screen Edge, who have acquired the Ikon catalogue.

Andrew James takes up the story: "Until recently, they had been missing covers for said item, but thanks to the generosity of John "Cerysmatic" Cooper [that's me, Ed.], who kindly loaned his original cover to Screen Edge for scanning, the video is once again available for the very reasonable price of 12.99 GBP for VHS (plus postage).

Not quite an Ikon original, but the next best thing for idiots like me who passed it up first time around, and no silly EBay prices. See www.outlaw23.com for more info and addresses etc."

Labels: Ikon, The_Durutti_Column

An initial attempt at illustrating those without whom we wouldn't have The Durutti Column. In other words, the line-up and the myriad guest performers.

In no way completist but it shows the wide variety of artists Vini Reilly has recorded with. And, er, has anyone got a photo of Keir Stewart?

Labels: The_Durutti_Column

In the long great tradition of artists moonlighting under alter egos the spotlight falls on Streetlife who were the 'Dutch electro pop pioneers' Minny Pops' side project during 1984/85. For your further edification read James Nice's excellent biography of Minny Pops / Streetlife. They thus joined other the ranks of other bands such as Ad Infinitum (Stockholm Monsters having a break), Red Turns To (New Order's Peter Hook) and Indambinigi (Karl Denver and Graeme Park) who rose mysteriously to take their place in the Factory catalogue.

Labels: Ad_Infinitum, Karl_Denver, Minny_Pops, New_Order, Peter_Hook, Red_Turns_To, Stockholm_Monsters, Streetlife

According to his official website, Wim Mertens has just released a new album entitled Skopos (a Greek word which means, 'reach', 'range', 'hitting the target', or 'a musical line that is followed by the melody') and has a February 2004 tour of Belgium on the blocks.

Full details of the Première Belgian Tour Skopos by the Wim Mertens Ensemble:
Thursday/Friday 12/13 February - Stadsschouwburg, Leuven
Sunday 16 May - Stadsschouwburg, Kortrijk

Wim Mertens' recordings for Factory Records comprised the Fact 190(c) Educes Me and the Fact 195 Belly Of An Architect Soundtrack. His complete discography lists 46 (count 'em) albums in a career spanning more than twenty years!

Labels: Wim_Mertens

Check out this black and white limited edition photographic print of the interior of Fac 51 The Hacienda taken by noted Manchester photographer Ian Tilton (who was also responsible for the photography on Fact 160 Love and Hate by Section 25) and being sold now on eBay for the not so inconsiderable sum of 280 GBP.

Labels: Ian_Tilton, Section_25

LTM have some spare cd booklets for three Section 25 titles available for the nominal sum of 1.00 GBP each (plus s&h / p&p 1.00 GBP UK / 1.50 GBP elsewhere or free if ordering a cd or two as well). The titles are: Always Now, From The Hip (both replete with original Peter Saville designed artwork) and The Key of Dreams.

You may have lost the originals or just want to hang something nice on the wall in a frame.

Labels: LTM, Section_25

Mmmm, maybe not a good idea. Poet he may be but Shaun William Ryder's lyrics on Clowns from the Amateur Night In The Big Top album 'Clowns and Pet Sounds' have not escaped the attention of Am I Right - The Dumbest Song Lyrics an irreverent site devoted to making fun of music. This site also includes sections on New Order, Happy Mondays and Joy Division.

Labels: Amateur_Night_In_The_Big_Top, Happy_Mondays, Joy_Division, New_Order

The reality show we've all been waiting for is to be screened in February 2004. This from BBC Three's February 2004 Highlights: "In Shaun Ryder Comes Clean, film-maker Richard Macer spends eight months with Shaun as he attempts to piece his life back together. Shaun Ryder - singer, songwriter and front man of The Happy Mondays and Black Grape - hit rock bottom Down Under a year ago; his assets frozen, locked in litigation, continuing drug problems - his family in Australia feared for his life.

The film-maker Richard Macer (The Real Swiss Toni, Jordan - The Truth About Me) spends eight months with Shaun as he pieces his life back together. Out of rehab he has attempted to adopt a healthy lifestyle and wrestles with the demands of fatherhood. But he's still on the brink of bankruptcy following a protracted legal battle with his former manager. Meanwhile he relocates to Australia to promote his new album and rejoin his family who have helped him through his darkest days. It's a candid and sometimes blunt insight into his life with some telling footage about the relationship with his family."

Labels: Happy_Mondays, Shaun_Ryder

It was 'One Hit Wonders' on Gonzo yesterday evening and who should come out of Zane Lowe's box of vids but Monaco and 'What Do You Want From Me?'.

Labels: Monaco

Could the 'Watching' by The Hydroplanes which has just shown up on this eBay item be somehow related to 'Watching The Hydroplanes' by Tunnelvision. I think we should be told.

Labels: Tunnelvision

Finally managed to sort out getting tickets for the forthcoming Durutti Column gig at Porto's Teatro Rivoli, Portugal today (thanks Luis!) having earlier booked the travelling side of things. Tickets seem to be selling well so let's hope for a full house.

Labels: The_Durutti_Column

The Biting Tongues Factory discography now updated to include Fac 188 Compressor in all its Johnson/Panas-designed glory. Plus it seems that not only can you buy the reissue of 'Wall of Surf' from Screen Edge but also the long-lost Feverhouse video. It's not advertised on their website but I am assured they stock it.

Labels: Biting_Tongues, Johnson_Panas

Live At The Venue by The Durutti Column is reissued as a single cd in a limited edition of 1000 copies, will be officially released on 26 January 2004 having been first sold at the recent Manchester Academy gig. However, if you order the album now, direct from Kooky, your order will be despatched immediately. It's competitively priced at 11.00 GBP (UK), 11.50 GBP (Europe) and 13.00 GBP (Rest of the World) so get ordering.

This is the first in a series of reissues of old material by the band. More details are available on the news page of the official Durutti Column website.

Labels: New_Order, The_Durutti_Column

Order Revenge's One True Passion V2.0 double cd direct from LTM and get a free promo CDR (in a nice stamped card sleeve) of two exclusive new trax. It will be in stock at the end of next week.

Labels: New_Order

Tickets for both the forthcoming Portugese Durutti Column dates are now on sale at www.ticketline.pt. In a (very) rough translation of the text on the website here is how they are billing the concerts: "One of biggest legends of the pop-rock of Manchester is returning. Vini Reilly's The Durutti Column, goes to the Santiago Alquimista, in Lisbon on 23 January, and to the the Rivoli Theatre, in Oporto on 24 January. This will be a chance to see and to hear the band interpret some its material from the Eighties, as well as its more recent album 'Someone Else's Party'."

Labels: The_Durutti_Column

(in alphabetical order)

Clowns and Pet Sounds - Amateur Night In The Big Top (Off World Sounds)
Cool As Ice - The Be Music Productions - Various Artists (LTM)
Elephant - The White Stripes (XL)
Ether Song - Turin Brakes (Source)
Gentle Sound - The Railway Children (Ether)
Room On Fire - The Strokes (Rough Trade)
Sleep / Holiday - Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (Sanctuary)
Someone Else's Party - The Durutti Column (Artful)
Tour de France Soundtracks - Kraftwerk (EMI)
Youth and Young Manhood - Kings of Leon (Hand Me Down)

Labels: Amateur_Night_In_The_Big_Top, The_Durutti_Column, The_Railway_Children

LTM are ringing in the New Year in style with two new releases: LTMCD 2381 Miranda Dali by Thick Pigeon and LTMCD 2364 So Hot by Swamp Children (formerly available as Fact 70). The latter comes with all new groovy artwork and includes extra tracks taken from the Fac 49 'Little Voices' 12" single. These releases are not yet in the shops yet, but are available from LTM direct (where Visa payments are now accepted).

Also, LTM will have the Revenge double CD - LTMCD 2375 One True Passion V2.0 - in stock on or about 12 January.

Later in the year, amongst other delights, watch out for a re-release of the Fact 165 Anna Domino album by Anna Domino, Crispy Ambulance's The Powder Blind Dream, The Royal Family and the Poor's Nocturnes, and a sequel to LTMCD 2377 Cool As Ice - The Be Music Productions called 'Twice As Nice'.

Labels: Crispy_Ambulance, Swamp_Children, The_Royal_Family_And_The_Poor, Thick_Pigeon

The official Santiago Alquimista website is now listing the 23 January 2004 gig in Lisbon by the Durutti Column. This event is described as "Concerto Internacional".

Also, the Portugese ticketing website www.ticketline.pt, now has a listing for the Lisbon and Oporto gigs. You can also buy tickets for Lisbon (but, strangely, not Oporto) priced 18 Euros (not 15 as previously announced). Portugese speakers are also treated to a brief description of the band/event.

Labels: The_Durutti_Column

... to everyone from Cerysmatic Factory. To celebrate (and shake off those hangovers from last night) why not peruse the new, updated Durutti Column pages including separate Discography, Live and Interviews sections. Also check out the video capture stills of the legendary unreleased 'Structure Moderne' video showing the three-piece Durutti Column in rehearsal at an empty Haçenda.

Labels: The_Durutti_Column

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