Steven Lomas has made an excellent new documentary film about Tony Wilson for a 2nd Year Degree Assignment.

The 48-minute film features filmed contributions by Kevin Cummins, Dave Haslam and Martin Moscrop and is available now via YouTube.

Labels: Dave_Haslam, documentary, Kevin_Cummins, Martin_Moscrop, Tony_Wilson, video, YouTube

Hats off to Trevor Johnson for his new limited edition poster to mark next month's Factory Night for Record Store Day at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester featuring Crispy Ambulance, Section 25 and Minny Pops.

100 of these will be hitting the walls of Manchester next week according to Colin @ Vinyl Revival.

Labels: Crispy_Ambulance, gigs, graphic_design, Minny_Pops, poster, Section_25, Trevor_Johnson, Vinyl_Revival

Joy Division's debut single An Ideal For Living will be released as a unnumbered limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day 2014. The record features a new spin on the classic scaffolding image from the original record.

Labels: Joy_Division, Record_Store_Day

Nova Nova & Peter Hook's Low Ends, originally released in 2013, will be issued on limited edition vinyl by Atal Music for Record Store Day - 19 April 2014. There will be two separate 7-inch singles pressed in different coloured sleeves.

The history of Low Ends is somewhat complex...

In 2002, Malcolm McLaren had been living in Paris for several years when he met and hired Thierry Criscione as the producer of his new album. Malcolm McLaren got in touch with his old friend Tony Wilson, as he wished to use the lead vocals from Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart in a new track called Love Will. Thierry Criscione then asked his friend Marc Durif from the French electronica band Nova Nova to finalise the track's production. Upon completion, Tony Wilson gave a copy to Peter Hook.

Later, when Marc Durif heard that Hooky had used the track in his own DJ sets, Marc sent Peter Hook an acoustic piano arrangement of LWTUA he had done using the full Ian Curtis acappella. Hooky then agreed to play bass on a new track by Marc which eventually became Low Ends.

Tracklisting

Vinyl 1 (Ata 1877)

A - Original Mix [4' 24"]
B - Slabb Remix [4' 26']

Vinyl 2 (Ata 1878)

A - Thierry Criscione Reconstructed Balearic Remix [4' 18"]
B - Thierry Criscione Remix [4' 12"]

More information vua Atal Music Twitter and Facebook.

Labels: Joy_Division, Love_Will_Tear_Us_Apart, Malcolm_McLaren, Nova_Nova, Peter_Hook, Tony_Wilson

James Lavelle (UNKLE, Mo' Wax) is this year's Meltdown curator at London's South Bank and he has concocted a stylistically varied line-up that includes Neneh Cherry, Edwyn Collins, Mark Lanegan, Goldie and it isn't without a Factory Records connection. New York No-Wavers ESG (last seen on these shores playing dates in January) perform on 21 June with 23 Skidoo. They are followed the next day by Jeremy Deller's classic Acid Brass featuring the Fairey Band.

Tickets go on sale 1 April (South Bank members) and 3 April (general sale).

More info at southbankcentre.co.uk

Labels: 23_Skidoo, ESG, gigs, Jeremy_Deller, Meltdown

New Order return to North America in July 2014 for selected US and Canadian dates in Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Tickets for most dates go on sale are already on sale with the remainder to follow next month.

July itinerary

1 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom - Buy Tickets
6 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre - Tickets on sale 11 April 2-14
8 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Buy Tickets
11 - San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium - Buy Tickets
13 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre - Tickets on sale 10am 5 April 2014

Meanwhile, New Order also plays Lollapalooza South America in Chile, Argentina and Brazil as follows:

Santiago, Chile, 29-30 March 2014
Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1-2 April 2014
Sao Paolo, Brazil, 5-6 April 2014

Labels: gigs, New_Order, USA

'Martin Hannett - Pleasures of the Unknown', a new book by Chris Hewitt will be published on 10 April 2014 by Ozit Morpheus Records. The companion piece to the soon-to-be-released Martin Hannett dvd, the book will present an illustrated anthology of Martin's life.

The book is available to pre-order now via ozitmorpheus.com.

Labels: book, Martin_Hannett

Bez, who has announced himself as a prospective candidate for the Salford and Eccles seat on an anti-fracking (and anti-GM food) ticket at the next general election, has spoken to the BBC about the decision.

Meanwhile, various media campaigns have been invented by the Twitterati, most notably this one by Markemoon.

Labels: Bez, Happy_Mondays, politics

Today we are sixteen years young. Thank you for your support. Thank you Anthony, Peter, Rob, Alan and Martin. Thank you Steven.

Labels: birthday, Cerysmatic_Factory

A reminder that the Northside Reunion Tour 2014 starts in London on Saturday 12 April featuring the original line-up. Then it's Leeds, Derby, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Manchester.

Tickets are still available via SeeTickets.

April

12 - Brixton Jamm, London [Buy tickets]
17 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [Buy tickets]
18 - The Venue, Derby [Buy tickets]
19 - The Cross, Birmingham [Buy tickets]
24 - The Classic Grand, Glasgow [Buy tickets]
26 - Drummonds, Aberdeen [Buy tickets]

May

3 - Club Academy, Manchester [Buy tickets]

Labels: gigs, Northside

Cherry Red presents a new 3CD version of their excellent NME C86 compilation album and it features three ex-Factory Records bands. Disc 1 has Miaow's Sport Most Royal whilst Disc 2 has Darkness and Colour by The Railway Children. The ex-FAC fun is rounded off on Disc 3 by Happy Mondays' Freaky Dancin'. Amongst the wider highlights are offerings from pretty much any indie band who was around in the mid- to late-Eighties including Primal Scream, The Soup Dragons, Shop Assistants, McCarthy, The Weather Prophets, That Petrol Emotion, King of the Slums!, Pop Will Eat Itself and many many more.

It's released on 9 June 2014 and will come in a nice box with comprehensive illustrated sleevenotes by Neil Taylor.

More info including the full tracklisting on Facebook

Labels: Cherry_Red, compilation, Happy_Mondays, Miaow, NME, The_Railway_Children

Factory Benelux and New Order present Of Factory New York, a unique benefit album released to assist Michael Shamberg, who ran the NYC office of Factory Records during the celebrated label's Eighties heyday.

Available on CD and double gatefold vinyl formats, Of Factory New York gathers a selection of classic tracks by artists associated with OFNY including the John Robie remix of Yashar by Cabaret Voltaire, Do the Du by A Certain Ratio, Cool As Ice by 52nd Street, Love Tempo by Quando Quango, the Megamix version of Looking From A Hilltop by Section 25 and an exclusive version of Your Silent Face by New Order, recorded live on tour in America in June 1989.

Homegrown American talent featured on the album includes Ike Yard, Thick Pigeon, Konk, Anna Domino and deejay/producer Arthur Baker. The cover art is based on an original 1983 design by Lawrence Weiner, the conceptual artist closely associated with Shamberg and Factory's Big Apple operation.

Unfortunately in 2006 Michael was struck down with highly debilitating mitochondrial disease. All artists featured on Of Factory New York have donated their work free of charge, Factory Benelux will take no profit, and 100% of net revenues will be paid over to the medical trust which takes care of Michael.

"Michael has been with us from the very start," explain New Order. "Initially he was in charge of Factory New York, then became creative producer for all our early videos. He brought our attention to the early works of directors such as Kathryn Bigelow, Gina Birch, Robert Breer, Peter Care, Phillipe Decouffle, Jonathan Demme, Robert Frank, Paula Greiff, Robert Longo, Bailie Walsh and William Wegman. Michael is very ill and needs constant medical attention. We want to help him, and played two fundraising shows in 2011. This new Factory New York compilation album will contribute further financial support towards Michael’s ongoing care."

More info via factorybenelux.com.

Vinyl tracklist

A1. A Certain Ratio - Do the Du
A2. Quando Quango - Love Tempo
A3. 52nd Street - Cool As Ice

B1. Cabaret Voltaire - Yashar (John Robie Remix)
B2. New Order - Your Silent Face (live 1989)
B3. Konk - Baby Dee

C1. Section 25 - Looking From A Hilltop (Megamix)
C2. Streetlife - Act On Instinct
C3. Marcel King - Reach For Love (New York Remix)

D1. Thick Pigeon - Subway
D2. Ike Yard - Kino
D3. Arthur Baker - Come On
D4. Anna Domino - Summer (Arthur Baker Remix)

CD tracklisting

1. A Certain Ratio - Do the Du
2. Quando Quango - Love Tempo
3. Konk - Baby Dee
4. 52nd Street - Cool As Ice
5. Cabaret Voltaire - Yashar (John Robie Remix)
6. New Order - Your Silent Face (live 1989)
7. Section 25 - Looking From A Hilltop (Megamix)
8. Streetlife - Act On Instinct
9. Marcel King - Reach For Love (New York Remix)
10. Thick Pigeon - Subway
11. Ike Yard - Kino
12. Arthur Baker - Come On
13. Anna Domino - Summer (Arthur Baker Remix)

Labels: 52nd_Street, A_Certain_Ratio, Anna_Domino, Arthur_Baker, benefit, Cabaret_Voltaire, Factory_Benelux, Ike_Yard, Marcel_King, Michael_Shamberg, New_Order, OFNY, Quando_Quango, Section_25, Streetlife, Thick_Pigeon

We have been privy to a sneak preview of the previously-announced Martin Hannett featuring contributions from Tony Wilson, Vini Reilly, Bruce Mitchell, Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner, Tosh Ryan, Steve Hopkins (Invisible Girls), Mark Radcliffe, Dave Formula, Reni and Andy Couzens (Stone Roses) plus many others.

This is no flash expensive BBC documentary, it's a gritty warts 'n' all tale of experimentation, laid bare with the minimum of trickery and a host of wide-eyed observers, interviewed from the '90s onwards - it's rather like witnessing a chat down the pub in some cases (this is no bad thing). There is a soundtrack of sorts, mainly confined to studio tape offcuts and a few videos of Hannett rubbing Wilson up the wrong way or, rather upsettingly, being wheeled around in a shopping trolley for a music video like an overfed turkey. Death was slowly coming by the time that infamous New FADS video hit the channels.

When all is said and done, Martin Hannett really wasn't just the fifth member of Joy Division, or the fourth in The Names or the third in Durutti Column - he was a pioneer in the mould of Joe Meek and Phil Spector, a one-off, a maverick and the like of whom we're unlikely to see, or hear, again. So, until someone at the Beeb gets off their arse and makes a high-end film about the man called Zero, this no-frills DVD will suffice.

Read the full 4* review by Cerysmatic's Paul Pledger via his Flipside Reviews.

Martin Hannett: He Wasn't Just The Fifth Member of Joy Division launches on 10 April from 7pm at Gorilla in Manchester.

For more details on pre-ordering please email ozitrecords@which.net.

Labels: Bruce_Mitchell, documentary, film, Joy_Division, Martin_Hannett, Peter_Hook, review, The_Durutti_Column, Tony_Wilson

I Am Your Autopilot (who feature Graeme Brooker, one time of Factory Too band Italian Love Party, among their number) play The Castle, Oldham Street, Manchester on Wednesday 23 April.

Tickets are available now via Shedhead Records, SeeTickets and WeGotTickets priced 5.00 GBP.

Labels: gigs, I_Am_Your_Autopilot, Italian_Love_Party

The Les Disques du Crépuscule postcards set (TWI 1150) is out now via Polite Cards. Produced in association with James Nice of the current label the hand-finished box set is a unique look at the design, graphics, photography and documents of the label from its launch to the present day.

There are 25 colour / black & white postcards featuring Crépuscule acts including The Durutti Column, Section 25, A Certain Ratio, Anna Domino, Cabaret Voltaire, posters, badges and more from across the years.

The set is 25.00 GBP and is available direct from Polite.

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio, Anna_Domino, Benoit_Hennebert, Cabaret_Voltaire, Josef_K, Joy_Division, Les_Disques_du_Crepuscule, Polite_Cards, postcards, Section_25, The_Durutti_Column, The_Names

Peter Hook & The Light will return to North America in November 2014 for a 14 date tour performing New Order's albums Low Life and Brotherhood live and uncut. As with Hooky's earlier tours, these shows will also feature relevant singles and other cuts from the same period.

As a special bonus, Peter Hook & The Light will be supporting themselves at all dates, as they will play special sets of Joy Division material before each main set.

November 2014 itinerary

4 – The Mohawk Austin, TX
6 – The Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
7 – Irving Plaza, New York, NY
8 – Royale, Boston, MA
10 – Théâtre Télus, Montreal, QC
11 – The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON
13 – The Magic Bag, Ferndale, MI
14 – Metro Chicago, IL
15 – Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis, MN
17 – VENUE, Vancouver, BC
18 – Neumos Seattle, WA
20 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
21 – MEZZANINE, San Francisco, CA
22 – Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Ticketing information will follow.

More Hooky and the Light info including other tour news via Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and peterhook.co.uk.

Labels: gigs, Joy_Division, New_Order, Peter_Hook, The_Light, USA

FAC 51 The Haçienda returns to the resurrected Sankeys on Good Friday with a line-up featuring many of the original DJs that shaped the club including headliners Pickering & Park and Greg Wilson, Hewan Clarke and Jon Dasilva.

Graeme Park and Mike Pickering will play both individually and together as they present their finest records of then and now. Hewan Clarke's set of will feature early Eighties cuts whilst original resident Greg Wilson brings his sublime selection of remixes and edits to the event, with both looking to highlight the musical history of the Haçienda in their sets.

Acid house and Balearic supremos, Jon Dasilva and Justin Robertson, who shaped the independent, open minded, soundtrack to the Haçienda and Manchester in the last Eighties and early Nineties with Hot, Most Excellent, Spacefunk and more, also drop by to provide their great tunes selection and upfront choices to the event.

Finishing up the extensive bill, Manchester Underground’s Russ rocks up with his vinyl while Herbie Saccani delivers one of his much praised warm up sets to kickstart what is set to be another great event for FAC 51 in its Manchester hometown.

Tickets available now priced from 10.00 GBP Earlybird via Sankeys, Skiddle, Ticket Arena

More info at the Facebook Event.

--

Haçienda Good Friday 2014 @ Sankeys
Friday 18 April 2014 / 10pm to 5am

Mike Pickering and Graeme Park
Greg Wilson
Hewan Clarke
Justin Robertson
Jon Dasilva
Russ
Herbie Saccani

Sankeys
Radium St
Manchester
M4 6JG

www.fac51thehacienda.com

Labels: FAC51_The_Hacienda, Graeme_Park, Hewan_Clarke, Jon_Dasilva, Justin_Robertson, Mike_Pickering, Sankeys

Chris Watson has been announced by Paul Stolper Gallery in London as the sixth artist in the ongoing series 'The Silence Between' which is a joint venture with composer Adrian Corker.

Chris is noted for his field recordings of animals, habitats and atmospheres from around the world and, in a previous life, was a member of Cabaret Voltaire.

The exhibition runs from 26-31 March 2014 at Paul Stolper, Museum St, London.

Extending over 2,000 km down the Atlantic coast of West and South Africa the Namib desert is an ancient and unique landscape; a vast and mobile ocean of sand where humans mostly fear to tread.

'Namib' is a multi channel composition created from location recordings made over the last eight years from the Skelton coast to remote interior dunes.The piece reflects a timescale beyond our reckoning as it aims to compress 50 million years of evolution into a 20 minute surround soundscape.

'Namib' will trace the sound shift created by a dense Atlantic fog bank as it swirls inland before sunrise and transforms the acoustics around the huge sandstone outcrops along the bone dry banks of the Kuiseb river. This event brings moisture and life to the flora and fauna whilst the reduced visibility allows the listener to tune into one of the few spaces left on our planet not smeared with noise pollution.

The Namib is a place to listen back in time, above and below the surface. The piece reveals the deep rhythms and sound of an evolving sand dune, from individual grains to moving mountain as it creeps in advance of the prevailing winds. After dark, the dunes, cliffs and valleys are patrolled by an emerging alien empire. Insects vibrate and sing into the night air - a vital and dangerous practice as advertising for a mate also sends signals to the acute auditory senses of predators, large and small, that stalk amongst the stillness of the sands.

'Namib' is on display from 25 to 30 March at Paul Stolper Gallery, Monday to Saturday 10-6pm.

More info at chriswatson.net and Chris Watson's Twitter.

Labels: art, Cabaret_Voltaire, Chris_Watson

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