It's still not too late to buy your copy of Scream City, the Factory Records fanzine which was published at the end of June. Yes, Scream City is back with its fifth (the biggest and best ever) issue which is 60 pages in colour and black & white and is available to buy now for 3.00 GBP + Worldwide postage and packing via eBay (Buy it Now with Paypal only).

Contents

- A Factory Trip Around The World - the art of international collecting by Andrew James
- An interview with FAC 51 The Hacienda's (and Smack The Pony's) Fiona Allen
- The Distractions by David Quantick
- An exclusive extract from James Nice's new book about Factory Records 'Shadowplayers' plus a Q&A with James Nice
- Closer, Karamazov and K550 by Ian McCartney
- Looking From A Hilltop... at Lytham St Annes (or "When Interviews Go Wrong") - a salutary lesson about the dark art of the interview and a touching tribute to Larry Cassidy by David Nolan
- An interview with Shark Vegas man and remixer extraordinaire Mark Reeder
- Matthew Robertson talks to Factory Australasia man Andrew Penhallow
- Factory Over America - Scream City talks to the US wing of Factory Records with new interviews with Michael H Shamberg and Ike Yard's Stuart Argabright and Michael Diekmann

Scream City is still an old school fanzine and is made from paper, ink and staples.

Labels: Andrew_Penhallow, Fiona_Allen, Ike_Yard, Joy_Division, Larry_Cassidy, Mark_Reeder, Matthew_Robertson, Scream_City, Shadowplayers, Shark_Vegas, The_Distractions

Scream City, the Factory Records fanzine from the people who brought you Cerysmatic Factory plus special guest contributors, is back (finally) with its fifth (and biggest ever) issue. Scream City is still an old school fanzine and is made from paper, ink and staples.

Scream City 5 (60 pages in colour and black & white) is priced 3.00 GBP + Worldwide postage and packing via eBay (Buy it Now with Paypal only).

- A Factory Trip Around The World - the art of international collecting by Andrew James
- An interview with FAC 51 The Hacienda's (and Smack The Pony's) Fiona Allen
- The Distractions by David Quantick
- An exclusive extract from James Nice's new book about Factory Records 'Shadowplayers' plus a Q&A with Mr Nice
- Closer, Karamazov and K550 by Ian McCartney
- Looking From A Hilltop... at Lytham St Annes (or "When Interviews Go Wrong") - a salutary lesson about the dark art of the interview and a touching tribute to Larry Cassidy by David Nolan
- An interview with Shark Vegas man and remixer extraordinaire Mark Reeder
- Matthew Robertson talks to Factory Australasia man Andrew Penhallow
- Factory Over America - Scream City talks to the US wing of Factory Records with new interviews with Michael H Shamberg and Ike Yard's Stuart Argabright and Michael Diekmann

Initial copies come with a free 10-track compilation CDR featuring live / rare / unreleased material by Section 25, Ike Yard, Thick Pigeon, The Names, The Wake, The Durutti Column, The Distractions, Biting Tongues, Shark Vegas and Fidelity Kastrow & Spartak (produced & remixed by Mark Reeder).

The tracks by Section 25, The Wake and Biting Tongues were recorded live at Plan K in December 2010.

The CDR is a strictly limited edition of 160 copies available on a first come first served basis.

Labels: Biting_Tongues, Ike_Yard, Larry_Cassidy, Mark_Reeder, Scream_City, Shadowplayers, Shark_Vegas, The_Distractions, The_Durutti_Column, The_Names, The_Wake, Thick_Pigeon

Pierre Perrone writes Larry's obituary in The Independent.

Labels: Larry_Cassidy

The funeral of Section 25's Larry Cassidy took place on Friday 12 March in Poulton-le-Fylde. Kevin Hewick was there and has written about it on his blog, an extract of which follows:

"In the impressive, imposing Catholic church of St John the Evangelist, Poulton-le-Fylde, Larry Cassidy was given a suitably lively send off that was deeply moving yet very funny and surreal too.

People either laughed or gasped as the hearse drew up with a stunning Soviet flag resplendent with hammer and sickle in flowers in pride of place.

Brother Vin's lovely red guitar wreath also stood out."

Others who attended the funeral alongside the extended Cassidy family included Ian Butterworth, Roger Wikeley, Steve Stringer, Peter Hook, Alan Erasmus, Jez Kerr, John Robb and James Nice.

Read Kevin's full account of the funeral in Kevin's Blog at www.kevinhewick.co.uk.

Labels: Larry_Cassidy, Section_25

Vincent Cassidy has written a touching tribute to his brother Larry on section25.com.

The funeral is to be held at midday on Friday 12 March at:

St John The Evangelist R.C. Church
Breck Road
Poulton-le-Fylde
Lancashire FY6 7HT

Flowers may be sent or donations if so desired to St Vincent House or Trinity Hospice c/o C.T. Hull Funeral Directors, 2 Birchway Poulton-le Fylde, FY6 7SF.

Labels: Larry_Cassidy, Section_25

Kevin Hewick pays tribute to Larry Cassidy of Section 25 who died at the weekend in the Blog/News section of his website.

Labels: Kevin_Hewick, Larry_Cassidy, Section_25

An official announcement on section25.com regarding the passing of Larry Cassidy reads:

"It is with great regret we have to report that Larry Cassidy founder of Section 25 passed away on the 27th of February. Obituary and full funeral details to follow."

Labels: Larry_Cassidy, Section_25

We report with great sadness the death of Larry Cassidy, singer and bassist with cult Factory Records post-punk group Section 25. Larry was found at his home in Blackpool on Saturday 27 February, and though the cause of death has not yet been confirmed there appear to be no suspicious circumstances.
 
Born in Blackpool in April 1953, Lawrence John Cassidy decided against joining his father’s family business (Casdon Toys) and opted instead to study art in London, gaining a first class degree in 1977. Inspired by psychedelia and Krautrock, and by exposure to punk at the Roxy club, Larry decided to form a band back home, recruiting younger brother Vin on drums, and guitarist Paul Wiggin. The name Section 25 referred to a clause in the Mental Health Act allowing for involuntary detention. Thanks to early mentors Joy Division the group joined Factory Records in 1979, recording their first single (Fac 18) with Ian Curtis and Rob Gretton producing.
 
Their debut album Always Now (1981) was recorded with producer Martin Hannett, and came packaged in a costly and elaborate pochette sleeve designed by Peter Saville. "I did get a fascinating brief from Larry," explains Saville on one of his finest works, "I seem to remember he wanted something quite European, but psychedelic - and with some Oriental influences. After that, I was on my own!"
 
Saville also designed the cover of From the Hip, their third album from 1984. Co-produced by Bernard Sumner of New Order, From the Hip saw a successful transition from abrasive post-punk to smooth electronics, best heard on the proto-techno club single Looking From a Hilltop. By now Larry’s glamorous young wife Jenny had joined the band, Tony Wilson having failed to interest a pre-Smiths Johnny Marr from taking over on guitar following the departure of Wiggin.
 
Both Wilson and Gretton found Section 25 frustrating at times, not least their lack of orthodox management. Indeed Gretton joked that the band were unmanageable, and that their sole gimmick was that they had no gimmick. A charismatic curmudgeon, and slightly older than most other musicians on the label, Larry sometimes found it hard to balance the aesthetic satisfaction of being a Factory band with the scant financial rewards. ‘You have to stand there out in the desert, holding on to your own little truth, waiting for the boat to come in.’
 
Section 25 effectively split in 1986, Larry afterwards running a light industrial unit, and retraining as a schoolteacher. Plans to reform the group were upset by the tragic loss of Jenny Cassidy to cancer in November 2004, naturally also a devastating personal event for Larry, but three years later Section 25 released a new album, Part-Primitiv, followed by Nature + Degree in 2009. The Guardian also listed From the Hip as one of ‘1000 albums to hear before you die’. As appreciation of Section 25 and Factory continued to increase, the group again found themselves in demand as a live attraction, visiting Germany, Italy and the United States in 2009, and joined by Larry and Jenny’s daughter Beth Cassidy on vocals and keyboards. Larry played what proved to be his last show with Section 25 at the historic Plan K venue in Brussels on 12 December 2009, along with fellow Factory pioneers A Certain Ratio, Biting Tongues, The Names and The Wake. At the time of his death a remix album, Retrofit, was almost complete.
 
Larry leaves a partner, Lesley, and two children, Nathaniel and Bethany.
 
Peter Hook, the Joy Division/New Order bassist who joined Section 25 for several shared dates in 2008, said: "I am so deeply shocked to hear about Larry, and very upset."
 
Says Vin Cassidy: "My brother Larry wasn’t always the easiest person to be in a band with, but he was the best."
 
John Robb, writer, musician and fellow Blackpool native, writes in his blog: "Section 25 were leagues ahead of everyone else in Blackpool. They were organized and had invented their own sound – a deceptively doomy, powerful, stripped-down, bass driven, dissonant, postpunk that combined the nihilism of the times with Larry’s art school cool. Another great lost genius. Maybe Larry’s death will wake everyone up to how great his band was."

- James Nice, LTM, February 2010

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio, Biting_Tongues, Factory_Records, Joy_Division, Larry_Cassidy, New_Order, Peter_Hook, Section_25, The_Wake, Tony_Wilson

Cerysmatic Factory is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Larry Cassidy of Section 25. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

John Robb, who originally broke this story, has written an obituary.

Labels: Larry_Cassidy, Section_25

Section 25 have announced, via the revamped section25.com, new members, new recordings and a new live date.

Starting with the last of these, the gig is on 30 May 2009 at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen Festival in Leipzig, Germany.

Other highlights include Clan of Xymox, Client, Steven Severin, Theatre of Hate, the delightfully-named Painbastard, and, last but not least, everyone's favourite acronym, KMFDM.

As for the new album and band members, a statement reads:

"The Band are currently working on their 6th studio album at West Orange Studios. It is planned that this will be released June 2009 on LTM Recordings-title and catalogue number to follow. It is very much a joint effort between original band members Vin and Larry Cassidy and new boys Stuart Hill and Steve Stringer*. An exciting new addition to the bands sound will be some great vocal contributions from Larry's daughter Bethany on several of the tracks. The new material is a blending of the electronica and the excursions into the fuller rock approach. Sources from the S25 camp report a return to FTH form."

* A further statement on the arrival of Stuart Hill and Steven Stringer

"After the unexpected departure from the ranks of Section 25 of Roger Wikely and Ian Butterworth in late 2008 it is a pleasure to report that Stuart Hill the original front of house sound engineer has stepped into and ably filled the vacant bassists shoes left by Roger. Steve (great name for a guitarist) Stringer, was originally drafted in for keyboard and bass duties on the Peter Hook/Section 25 European Tour of Nov 2008, but after Butty left it was kind of natural for Steve to play guitar as well for the band as he is a bloody good guitar player-nuff said."

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio, Larry_Cassidy, Peter_Hook, Section_25

Section 25 and Peter Hook of Joy Division/New Order have announced the first of a series of joint live concerts, at the Ancienne Belgique venue in Brussels (Belgium) on Friday 7 November 2008. Further dates in France and Germany will be confirmed shortly.

Their combined set will include highlights from the combined catalogues of Joy Division, Section 25, New Order and Monaco, as well as a sprinkling of new material. Songs will include 'Transmission', 'Temptation', 'Looking From A Hilltop', 'Shadowplay', 'Dreams Never End', 'What Do You Want From Me?', 'Dirty Disco', 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and 'Blue Monday'. Section 25 will also perform a separate opening set.

Section 25 and Peter first gigged together in 1979, during the heyday of Factory Records, when Section 25 often supported Joy Division in London and the North-West. After a gap of two decades, Section 25 again performed as guests of New Order in Blackpool in October 2006, while Peter performed the classic Temptation with SXXV at A Factory Night (Once Again), the sold-out live event staged at Plan K in Brussels on 15 December 2007.

"I'm scared to death, but it'll be great to do a full gig. I’ve missed playing too much!" (Peter Hook)

"It's a privilege to perform these songs with Hooky and the band. There will be power and passion." (Larry and Vin Cassidy)

Labels: Factory_Records, Joy_Division, Larry_Cassidy, Monaco, New_Order, Peter_Hook, Section_25

Vin Cassidy talks to Cerysmatic Factory about the background to the new Section 25 compilation 'Dirty Disco':

"The whole notion of an S25 "best of" CD a few years ago would have seemed totally alien to me, but I suppose a mellowing of years etc and these things start to make more sense. When James at LTM first suggested this collection of songs, to span a period from our first outpourings up until now, I wanted to call the album "1978-2008 The Wilderness Years", because sometimes that's where it feels we've been.

Misunderstood, misquoted, mislaid, slagged and belied by "false compare". My father said, "all comparisons are odious". He was right except I would add, "and so are the folk that make them".

For Larry and I this album is another marker stone on our sonic way. Rob Gretton wanted us to call our first album 'FUCK OFF'. He said we had a totally uncompromising approach and if other people did not like it they could do as the title suggested. We have not changed our attitude on this and we are still standing."

--

Artist: Section 25
Title: 'Dirty Disco (Best Of)
Catalogue number: LTMCD 2515
Release date: March 2008
Available direct from LTM and in good record shops

Labels: FAC251_The_Factory, Larry_Cassidy, Section_25

The lucky few that managed to get tickets to the Peter Hook event at Urbis were treated to a highly entertaining and extremely candid interview by Paul Morley ("You know so much now I'm going to have to kill you all...").

Billed as a conversation predominantly about The Haçienda, Morley quickly abandoned the usual format of talk-followed-by-audience-questions with the request that questions be asked at any point during the proceedings - which led to two hours of chat about every aspect of Hooky's career, only a relatively small proportion of which covered The Haçienda itself.

Although marred by the inevitable, occasional anorak question, a number of revelations followed:

- New Order have recently had a fractious band meeting (outcome not revealed).

- The upcoming 'remastered' Joy Division albums are not actually taken from the original album masters - which have been 'misplaced' - and so are slightly different mixes from the originals.

- Early TJ Davidson Joy Division could only afford six hours of rehearsal time per week (four on Sunday, two on Wednesday), and would usually write one new song per session.

- Transmission was written in the week preceding the Mayflower 'Emergency' gig.

- Sam Riley (Ian Curtis in the upcoming Joy Division film 'Control') and Alexandria Maria Lara (Annik Honoré in the film)have enjoyed a (ahem) close relationship.

- Hooky actually chose the artwork that the 'Movement' album cover was based upon due to Peter Saville having a headache.

- New Order lyrics - up to 'Technique' - were written by the whole band.

- Martin Hannett had difficulty coming to terms with the lack of an Ian Curtis in New Order, didn't seem to like the other band members' vocals and, on one occasion, made Bernard go through 43 vocal takes before being satisfied with the result.

Among the small audience on the night were Larry Cassidy (SXXV), Andy Spinoza (SpinMedia) and Twinny.

Many thanks to Andy Brydon for the guest list and Alex for looking after the camera!

FAC491, the (must see) Urbis 25th anniversary Haçienda exhibition, is showing daily, 10:00-18:00, until 17th February 2008.

Labels: Joy_Division, Larry_Cassidy, New_Order, Peter_Hook

The Spring 2007 edition of the Salford Star is out now and features an interview with Peter Hook by Nigel Pivaro which touches on New Order, the anniversary of the Haçienda and Control.

And then there's Lawrence "Larry" Cassidy (of Section 25), The Suzuki Method, the regen beauty contest in Langworthy, the miffed Mayor of Salford and loads more.

A free 68 page bumper spring special!

www.salfordstar.com

Labels: Larry_Cassidy, New_Order, Peter_Hook, Section_25

The mighty Section 25 came out of retirement with all guns blazing on Friday night in Poulton. The four piece line-up of Larry Cassidy (vocals, bass), Vin Cassidy (drums), Ian Butterworth (guitar) and Roger (guitar, keyboards) took to the stage shortly after 10.30pm before an eager and enthusiastic crowd. The band played a set of mainly early material with a couple of covers of The Ramones and Joy Division ('Shadowplay', the first encore).

Earlier, Kevin Hewick played an amazing set on solo acoustic guitar and regaled us of his time in the Swedish Territorial Army.

Full report and pics to follow.

A big shout out to the Poulton Massive including Andrew, Kirstin, James, Luke, Elliott, Mr & Mrs James, Alex, Robert, Kevin, Larry and Vin.

Labels: Joy_Division, Kevin_Hewick, Larry_Cassidy, Section_25

Larry Cassidy of Section 25 has posted an open letter on the band's official website, section25.com. He talks very openly and with great candour about the early history of the band, their relationship with Factory Records and the new Section 25 album mentioned here previously. Vin Cassidy has also written a letter and is joining Larry in the new line-up of the band which also includes Ian Butterworth of fellow Blackpool band Tunnelvision.

Thanks to OMNY for spotting.

Labels: Factory_Records, Larry_Cassidy, Tunnelvision

- - - -

08.03 | 09.03 | 10.03 | 11.03 | 12.03 | 01.04 | 02.04 | 03.04 | 04.04 | 05.04 | 06.04 | 07.04 | 08.04 | 09.04 | 10.04 | 11.04 | 12.04 | 01.05 | 02.05 | 03.05 | 04.05 | 05.05 | 06.05 | 07.05 | 08.05 | 09.05 | 10.05 | 11.05 | 12.05 | 01.06 | 02.06 | 03.06 | 04.06 | 05.06 | 06.06 | 07.06 | 08.06 | 09.06 | 10.06 | 11.06 | 12.06 | 01.07 | 02.07 | 03.07 | 04.07 | 05.07 | 06.07 | 07.07 | 08.07 | 09.07 | 10.07 | 11.07 | 12.07 | 01.08 | 02.08 | 03.08 | 04.08 | 05.08 | 06.08 | 07.08 | 08.08 | 09.08 | 10.08 | 11.08 | 12.08 | 01.09 | 02.09 | 03.09 | 04.09 | 05.09 | 06.09 | 07.09 | 08.09 | 09.09 | 10.09 | 11.09 | 12.09 | 01.10 | 02.10 | 03.10 | 04.10 | 05.10 | 06.10 | 07.10 | 08.10 | 09.10 | 10.10 | 11.10 | 12.10 | 01.11 | 02.11 | 03.11 | 04.11 | 05.11 | 06.11 | 07.11 | 08.11 | 09.11 | 10.11 | 11.11 | 12.11 | 01.12 | 02.12 | 03.12 | 04.12 | 05.12 | 06.12 | 07.12 | 08.12 | 09.12 | 10.12 | 11.12 | 12.12 | 01.13 | 02.13 | 03.13 | 04.13 | 05.13 | 06.13 | 07.13 | 08.13 | 09.13 | 10.13 | 11.13 | 12.13 | 01.14 | 02.14 | 03.14 | 04.14 | 05.14 | 06.14 | 07.14 | 08.14 | 09.14 | 10.14 | 11.14 | 12.14 | 01.15 | 02.15 | 03.15 | 04.15 | 05.17 | 06.17 | 07.17 | 08.17 | 09.17 | 10.17 | 11.17 | 05.18 | 12.18 | 01.19 | 08.19 | 09.19 | 10.19 | 11.19 | 12.19 | 03.20 |

- - - -