Justhipper: The Complete Sire & Blanco Y Negro Recordings 1986-1988 is a Cherry Red compilation encompassing all of the recordings by James for the Warners group immediately after they left Factory Records. Stutter and Strip-Mine have both been remastered and plentiful bonus tracks including an audio interview complete the package.

Justhipper is out now.

Disc One

Stutter

1. Skullduggery
2. Scarecrow
3. So Many Ways
4. Just Hip
5. Johnny Yen
6. Summer Song
7. Really Hard
8. Billys Shirts
9. Why So Close
10. Withdrawn
11. Black Hole

Bonus Tracks

12. Chain Mail
13. Uprising
14. Hup-Springs
15. Justhipper

Disc Two

Strip-Mine

1. What For
2. Charlie Dance
3. Fairground
4. Are You Ready
5. Medieval
6. Not There
7. Ya Ho
8. Riders
9. Vulture
10. Stripmining
11. Refrain

Bonus Tracks

12. Yaho (Single Version)
13. Mosquito
14. Left Out Of Her Will
15. New Nature
16. What For (Climax Mix)
17. Island Swing
18. James Who? A Talk With… (Interview)

Labels: album, Cherry_Red, compilation, James

Transcript of typewritten Factory Benelux release schedule from the archives with, as ever, a few unexpected twists on the FBN catalogue as we know it. Check the explanatory notes at the end for more info.

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December 30th 1983

Releases of time to come

FBN 15
CRISPY AMBULANCE 'Sexus'
1982 recording in Brussels. Sleeve Patrick Roques. testpressings just arrived ¹
12"

FBN 22
from the december 83 recordings; no edit known as yet; song still to be selected; sleeve? this is for NEW ORDER. ²
12"

FBN 26
SURPRIZE
'In movimento' A Dojo Be Music production for this Italian act; sleeve by the band in the Mussolini style; cutting in Belgium Jan 9th. ³
mLP

FBN 28
NYAM NYAM
'Fate/Hate' Hookie on production; cutting done in London recently; testpressings soon to be available; sleeve by the band currently being processed in Brussels. ⁴
12"

FBN 31
JAMES
recordings to happen in Brussels early February with an appearance at Interferences, latest nightspot in Grand-Place, Bruxelles. ⁵
12"

FBN 32
ACR
If Donald was less upset about Benelux recent foolishness, we'd know more about this project... but it shouldn't remain a questionmark for much longer... ⁶

FBN 33
Section 25 'From The Hip'
To be released simultaneously by Brussels and Manchester and France, etc. Sleeve by Saville; masters and films impatiently expected; a memorable release for start of 84; thank you Wally. ⁷

FBN 34
LAVOLTA LAKOTA 'Mitawin/Prayer'
Testpressings just arrived. A Hookie production again; one side is 33rpm; sleeve by the band currently being processed in Brussels ⁸
7"

FBN 35
THE WAKE 'Talk About The Past'
Masters and films expected anytime. Release to be launched with a Benelux and German tour late February. ⁹

FBN 35
THE DURUTTI COLUMN 'Short Stories for Pauline'
From the December recordings in Brussels. Picture sleeve for the back (c.f. Tony's choice) Release schedule to be discussed according to Portuguese LP and the next FAC album. ¹⁰
LP

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Notes:

¹ - released as FBN 18 (instead of FBN 15) in April 1984
² - released as FBN 22 (Murder b/w Thieves Like Us (instrumental)) in May 1984
³ - released as FBN 26 in April 1984
⁴ - released as FBN 28 in April 1984
⁵ - unreleased by James but FBN 31 eventually became Alma Mater by Stockholm Monsters
⁶ - released as FBN 32 (Brazilia) in December 1984
⁷ - released as FBN 33 and FACT 90 (From The Hip) in March 1984
⁸ - released as FBN 34 (Prayer / Mitawin) in July 1984
⁹ - unreleased FBN version of FAC 88 Talk About The Past
¹⁰ - unreleased until it eventually surfaced on the resurrected Factory Benelux on CD and LP in 2012

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio, back_in_the_cellar, Crispy_Ambulance, Factory_Benelux, history, James, Lavolta, New_Order, Nyam_Nyam, Section_25, Surprize, The_Durutti_Column, The_Wake

James play a selection of festival and one-off dates around the country starting in July in Manchester at the Castlefield Bowl as part of Sounds of the City.

July

Fri 7 - Sounds of the City, Manchester, Castlefield Bowl
Sat 15 - Kew the Music, Kew Gardens
Sat 22 - PennFest (with Sigma, The Coral, Maximo Park, Cast and many more), The Big Park, Penn House, Buckinghamshire
Sat 29 - Live From Times Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

August

Fri 4 - Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket
Sat 5/6 - Hope & Glory Festival (with Hacienda Classical), St George's Quarter, Liverpool

Tickets are available to buy now via allgigs.co.uk.

Labels: gigs, Hacienda_Classical, James

And so we continue with our trawl through the Factory rarities in order to dig out some valuables, some to be found in the unlikeliest of places. All prices are extracted from the 2014 Record Collector Guide, some eager Discogs listings and my own experiences.

Wim Mertens



Take one Belgian neo-classical composer and two simultaneously issued albums (on Les Disques Du Crepuscule), switch the logos and alter the labels and what happens? Er, very little. By the time Factory got its act together and added them to its catalogue, both Educes Me (FACT 190) and the soundtrack to the heavy Peter Greenaway art-house film Belly Of An Architect (FACT 195) had already sold as many copies as they could muster a few months earlier. To be fair, Belly did fairly well and shifted a few units off the back of the film's VHS release (on Palace, sigh) and via continued interest in Greenaway's work. Educes Me, on the other hand, didn't exactly benefit from being on Factory but it did get a curious re-release as a boxed-cassette. If you happen to have such an item - smartly packaged in a bright yellow hue with a colourful inlay booklet - then have a seat. Record Collector valuations clock in at an eye-watering £200. For a tape. No, really. Check out our Wim Mertens discography to feast your eyes on his other work (much of which fetches serious money - see Part 3 of our Facs In The Attic series).

Various Artists



Inevitably, that most frequent purveyor of releases comes up trumps when it comes to Factory valuables. Various Artists releases include the A Factory Quartet double-album (FACT 24 - £20), the Palatine box-set (FACT 400 - £40 to £100), particularly the vinyl and CD sets and two curios that don't feature in the RC book of dreams. The first is the 4 x 12" promo pack which has no number but comes loosely-housed in a PVC sleeve with each track's BPMs helpfully printed on it, plus four white-label copies of Pleasure Crew's I Could Be So Good For You (FAC 169), Fadela's N'Sel Fik (FAC 197 - worth a tenner on its own), The Hood's Salvation (FAC 182) and Meatmouth's Meatmouth Is Murder (FAC 196). I'd estimate a £15 price-tag, partly for at least two of the enclosed records but also for the attractive Johnson Panas sleeve. The second is Martin (FACD 325), a collection of Hannett's finest production work including Joy Division, U2 and A Certain Ratio etc.. I'd pitch this at £15 to £20 all day long for the CD and vinyl.

All of which is peanuts when compared to A Factory Sample. FAC 2 was the first release on the label, came packaged in expensive polythene outers, bolstered by some natty stickers and four sides of music. No wonder it's valued from around the £200 mark. Without the stickers, it's probably worth £100 - £125 and with a scruffy sleeve minus the polythene, around half that again.

The Wake



Before jumping the sinking Factory ferry and high-tailing it to the Sarah label, Glasgow's The Wake released some of the most beautiful songs to ever grace the label. Vinyl copies of debut-album Harmony (FACT 60) and gorgeous (and delayed) follow-up Here Comes Everybody (FACT 130) command around £20 - £25 each, although the former has just been exquisitely reissued as a double-vinyl version on Factory Benelux which may or may not have an effect on prices. The band's singles aren't too hard to come by although the 7" of Talk About The Past (FAC 88) is trickier to track down (£8).

Stockholm Monsters



This under-rated outfit feature in this article due to their two earlier singles, Fairy Tales (FAC 41) and Happy Ever After (FAC 58), both capable of reaching £15 in top condition. There are two different-coloured sleeves for Fairy Tales, a burgundy and a green one, both as easy (or as hard) to find as each other. The band's only album, Alma Mater (FACT 80) is worth £10 of anyone's money, while their superb Partyline 12" (FAC 146) might scrape a few quid less (a travesty) with 7" test pressings doubling the price.

The best of the rest







In no particular order are just some of the other least likely (and most probable) rarities worth seeking out.
The braille sleeved Electricity (FAC 6) by OMD - £60
The only Distractions single on Factory (FAC 12) - £15
The first (and only) reggae 12" by X-O-Dus (FAC 11) - £15
That infamous Sex Pistols cassette (with gold tape, pouch and card) (FACT 30) - £20 - £50
The one and only ESG 7" (FAC 34) - £30
The majestic Nightshift by The Names (FAC 29) - £15
The white vinyl John Dowie 7" with feather (!) (FAC 19) - £15
The two Dutch masters by Minnypops, Secret Story (FAC 57) and Dolphin's Spurt (FAC 31) - £12
The cassette version of Pigs and Battleships by Quando Quango (FAC 110c) - £18
The rare as hen's teeth CD promo and invite of The Other Two's Loved It (FACD 251) - £25 to £40
The first James single Jimone (FAC 78) - £12
The stand-alone Thick Pigeon album (FACT 85) - £40
The sleazy Crawling Chaos 7" Sex Machine (FAC 17) - £20
and the under-rated Chicken Rhythms by Northside on vinyl (FACT 310) - £12

Thanks to Record Collector and Discogs for prices.

Part 3 will feature rarities recorded by Factory artists and issued on Factory Benelux and Les Disques du Crepuscule.

Labels: Crawling_Chaos, ESG, Fadela, James, John_Dowie, Meat_Mouth, Minny_Pops, OMD, Pleasure_Crew, Quando_Quango, Stockholm_Monsters, The_Distractions, The_Hood, The_Names, The_Wake, Thick_Pigeon, Wim_Mertens, X-O-Dus

(Ex-)Factory artists feature on final tracklisting of Cherry Red's 5CD set Scared To Get Happy: A Story of Indie-Pop 1980-1989 as announced by Slicing Up Eyeballs.

The compilation will take an extensive look back at the golden era of British guitar-based indie-pop and features a veritable who's who of artists including Josef K, The Stone Roses, Primal Scream and The Wedding Present.

The Factory element (3 out of 134 tracks) is provided by James, The Railway Children and The Wake as follows:

James - Hymn From A Village (1985)
The Railway Children - A Gentle Sound (1986)
The Wake - Gruesome Castle (1988)

The collection is due out 24 June 2013, includes a 72-page booklet and is expected to cost about 50 GBP.

Labels: Cherry_Red, compilation, indie_pop, James, The_Railway_Children, The_Wake

Spin Magazine has uploaded its extensive back catalogue to Google Books and amongst the delights for FAC fans you'll find the following:

- New Order Technique review
- Barbara Kruger interview
- Happy Mondays
- Morrissey / Viva Hate
- Blurt
- New Order May 1988
- Cabaret Voltaire
- James / The Nightingales Oct 85
- New Order Sep 1985

Plus, loads of unbelievable vintage ads for cigarettes and this incredible Casio digital guitar.

With thanks to Marcus for spotting.

Labels: Cabaret_Voltaire, Google_Books, Happy_Mondays, James, Joy_Division, New_Order

Tickets went on sale today for this year's V Festival which takes place at Hylands Park and Weston Park over the weekend of 22/23 August 2009.

Amongst the acts confirmed to play are James (Weston Park 22/8, Hylands Parks 23/8) and Happy Mondays (exact days to be confirmed).

Non-ex-Fac delights include headliners Oasis and The Killers plus The Specials, British Sea Power, The Ting Tings and Elbow.

Labels: Happy_Mondays, James

James have a new live album, recorded on their April UK tour, available exclusively at their December shows which started last week. The CD comes in a limited edition of 5000 copies costing 10.00 GBP which will be rationed so that there will be copies at all of the shows.

Tracklisting

Oh My Heart
Born of Frustration
Upside
Tomorrow
Bubbles
Hey Ma
Senorita
Waterfall
Boom Boom
Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)
Whiteboy
Sometimes
Laid
Lullaby

wearejames.com
MySpace
OneOfTheThree.co.uk

Labels: James

James kick off their UK tour with a warm-up gig at the Proud Galleries in Camden tonight before proceedings properly start in Brighton on Tuesday. The tour finishes at Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex) on 19 and 20 December.

December

7 Proud Galleries, Camden, London
9 Brighton Dome, Brighton
11 Leeds Carling Academy, Leeds
12 Glasgow SECC Glasgow, Scotland
13 Birmingham NIA, Birmingham
15 Brixton Academy, London
16 Brixton Academy, London
19 Manchester Central, Manchester
20 Manchester Central, Manchester

24 hr CC hotline: 0871 2200 260
www.gigsandtours.com
www.wearejames.com

Labels: James

From the news desk at wearejames.com:

"Buy Hey Ma from iTunes before 20th April, and you'll receive a unique password for a chance to purchase tickets for the December tour in the pre-sale at ticketmaster.co.uk BEFORE they go on sale to the general public, giving you the best shot at securing tickets to your concert(s) of choice. The iTunes deluxe version of the album also includes a bonus song and track-by-track commentary."

Download 'Hey Ma' on iTunes UK.

Meanwhile, relive the old Factory days with this vintage live review from 1985.

Labels: James

James are due to shortly confirm some new dates for December 2008 at the Leeds Academy, Glasgow SECC, Birmingham NIA, London Brixton and Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex).

The band has also been lined up to play on the new series of Later with Jools Holland on BBC TV at the end of April.

With thanks to George on the Cerysmatic Factory Message Board.

Labels: James

The new James album 'Hey Ma' will be in stores on 7 April 2008. The tracklisting is:

1. Bubbles
2. Hey Ma
3. Waterfall
4. Oh My Heart
5. Boom Boom
6. Semaphore
7. Upside
8. Whiteboy
9. 72
10. Monsters and Heroes and Men
11. I Wanna Go Home

Whiteboy is on the James audio player on MySpace.

Labels: James

James play a warm-up for their April 2008 tour at the St George's Hall in Bradford on Tuesday 8 April. Tickets go on sale tomorrow Friday 1 February at 9am via gigsandtours.com, the venue's Box Office on 01274 432 000 or the 24hr credit card hotline on 0871 2200 260.

The tour proper starts in Derby on 10 April and ends in Aberdeen on 25 April. Full details at wearejames.com. The new James album is released on 7 April.

Thanks to George on the Cerysmatic Factory Message Board.

Labels: James

James return to the fold following successful summer festival dates this year is further confirmed with the announcement of a new album, out 7 April 2008, and a UK tour.

April 2006

10 - Derby Assembly Rooms
11 - Lincoln Engine Shed
12 - Liverpool University
14 - Newcastle Academy
15 - Sheffield Academy
16 - London Shepherds Bush Empire
18 - Norwich UEA
21 - Bristol Colston Hall
22 - Blackpool Empress Ballroom
24 - Edinburgh Corn Exchange
25 - Aberdeen AECC

Tickets for the tour are on sale on today Friday 14 December and selling out fast. More info at www.wearejames.com and www.oneofthethree.co.uk.

Labels: James

Jim Glennie talks to BBC Manchester about how James got the band back together and how things went along a little faster than he had anticipated.

Labels: James

James are playing a warm-up gig at the Hoxton Bar, Hoxton Square, London on Tuesday 10 April. Thanks to Judd on the Cerysmatic Factory Message Board.

Labels: James

James play a special in-store gig at HMV in Manchester's Market Street on Monday 30 April 2007 to coincide with the release of their new album entitled 'Fresh as a Daisy'.

Labels: James

The line-up for this year's V Festivals has just been lined up and it includes reformed ex-FACers Happy Mondays and James.

18-19 August 2007
Hylands Park, Chelmsford
Weston Park, Staffordshire

Tickets on sale: 9am, Thursday 1 March 2007

More details at vfestival.com.

Labels: Happy_Mondays, James

SJM Concerts by arrangement with X-Ray presents

James
Tour April 2007
24hr cc hotline
0871 2200 260
or buy online:
gigsandtours.com

Glasgow
Carling Academy
(DF Concerts)
Saturday 21 April
0870 771 2000

Newcastle
Carling Academy
Monday 23 April
0870 771 2000

Birmingham
Carling Academy
Tuesday 24 April
0870 771 2000

London Brixton
Carling Academy
Friday 27 April
0870 771 2000

Manchester
MEN Arena
Saturday 28 April

Plus Special Guests
The Twang

wearejames.com

Labels: James

oneofthethree.co.uk, the excellent unofficial site, reports strong rumours that James are to reform for live shows and also that new material and a reworking of their Greatest Hits are in the offing.

Labels: James

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