325 Spring Street, New York City was the former location of Factory Records’ US operations in the form of Factory US and Of Factory New York.

In 2017 photographer Sean Vegezzi took an amazing series of photographs of the upper floors of the building which were completely empty. Factory was in Room 233 and it's quite possible that some of the pics show the location of the old office. However, with most of the building contents completely stripped out it is not possible to discern exactly where it was.

In September/October 1986 the video / sculpture / installation 'Compact' designed by Peter Saville took place at the White Columns art gallery which was also located in the building. This was commemorated by the Fac 171 poster.

Many thanks to Sean Vegezzi for the photos and for giving factoryrecords.org permission to use them. I have published them as a series of three mini photo galleries on Instagram in order to do justice to the detail that they show. These are also embedded on the main page for 325 Spring Street on this site.

Labels: 325_Spring_Street, Factory_US, OFNY, Peter_Saville, photography, Sean_Vegezzi, USA

Cerysmatic Factory, along with everyone in the Factory Records community were saddened to hear of the recent passing of Michael H. Shamberg, the innovative music video producer who worked most famously with New Order. Michael also ran Factory's New York operations - Of Factory New York, Factory US and Factory America, and with the last of these was notably associated with Ike Yard on their debut album. Michael also produced films and videos outwith the Factory family via kinoteca.net.

New Order paid tribute to Michael their website saying they "will miss him dearly and send our condolences to all his family and friends."

In the Manchester Evening News Peter Hook, said "Michael was a lovely man. His work on our videos, so important at the time, defined our image and an era. He was a true revolutionary. One of a very small band of of truly gifted individuals! He will be missed.”

James Nice, of Factory Benelux said "We issued the Of Factory New York compilation album earlier this year to raise money for his ongoing treatment, and were able to transfer funds before he passed. More important, Michael received copies of the album and was delighted with it. He will be missed by many people inside the industry and out, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Miranda and his family."

Ike Yard's statement on their Facebook page echoed these sentiments: "Ike Yard would like to celebrate the life of Michael Shamberg, a friend and colleague who managed Factory America / Factory NY and produced many seminal videos for Factory artists. He also designed the cover for Ike Yard's "A Fact A Second" 1982 album. Michael passed away after a long illness last Saturday. We honor his indomitable creative spirit."

Finally, the director of New Order's True Faith, Philippe Découflé gave a short but heartfelt message at the Shamberg-associated Turtle Salon site - "Tristesse immense. Adieu Michael, mon ami...".

Rest in peace Michael.

Labels: Factory_Benelux, Ike_Yard, Michael_Shamberg, New_Order, OFNY

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

The headquarters of the North American operations of Factory Records (variously known as Factory America, Factory US and Of Factory New York) was a room in a building in New York City.

Located in Soho, 325 Spring Street was also the location of alternative art space White Columns from 1979 to 1991 which was the venue for the New Order / Peter Saville exhibition 'Compact' (FAC 171).

The address, phone and telex numbers appear on the FACTUS 19 Of Factory New York stationery.

It seems the building was subsequently occupied by UPS, a biotechnical company and a couple of restaurants but now appears to be vacant. Any further information / internal photography gratefully received.

Check out our full photo gallery.

Labels: edifices, Factory_America, Factory_US, OFNY

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