Cerysmatic.Factory

Use Hearing Protection Factory Records 1978-1979 review

2019-10-30T07:00:00.001+00:00

Where do you start?

It's big? 15" x 15" x 5" is a little oversized for the average shelf.

It's quite expensive? Yes, but with some justification.

It has limited appeal? Maybe, but those who are invested will love it.

It's breathtaking.

When this box was first announced in August, I had no hesitation in ordering it. Whilst costing more than I would normally spend (I thought the deluxe version of 'Movement' a little on the high side) the contents, the book, the music, the posters, the CD and DVD promised a treasure trove of riches most could only dream of owning, despite being copies.

It's worth noting on this point that where things are facsimiles, they are to the highest degree, for example, FAC-2 is in a proper heat sealed sleeve rather than a card or paper one. FAC 6 is in a replica black-on-black thermographic braille sleeve. Clearly no expense has been spared in the production of this box celebrating greatest of all record labels.

Opening the high quality box very carefully the first thing you see is the 12x12" 60-page paperback book. With new text by the curator, James Nice, and some rare full-size photographs mixed with quotes from various sources, this focuses on the content of the box and reprints an original 1979 article by the future filmmaker and screenwriter Mary Harron. My initial intention was to have a quick skim through the book before moving on to the contents of the box, but found myself being drawn in and studying it in detail for a long time.

Nestled between the book and the first couple of pieces of vinyl are the 3 posters and other paper-based artefacts (FAC 1, FAC 3, FAC 4, FAC 7 and FAC 8).

The posters I've not opened out yet and, to be honest, I'm a little scared of doing so as I don't want to damage them at all as I am contemplating having them framed. The stationery is interesting, especially the copy of the 'History of Factory' double-sided piece of A4 originally typed up by Tony Wilson. When it comes to Linder Sterling's Factory Egg Timer print it's something of a curio. Indeed it's probably something that will get passed over during the first examination by most people, but it's essential as not only is it one of the first 10 items with a Factory catalogue number, it's so off the wall you can't imagine any other record company encouraging the idea of such a thing… which in itself is what makes Factory so special.

Moving on to the vinyl, as mentioned these are facsimiles of the originals. A Factory Sample, All Night Party, Electricity, Unknown Pleasures and the previously unreleased 3-track 12" by Tiller Boys. Other than the Joy Division album (the 2015 master), all of the other tracks have freshly been remastered at Abbey Road this year from the original tapes.

I must confess, that when listening to 'A Factory Sample' I realised what a bad 'fan' I am. Other than the Joy Division and Cabaret Voltaire tracks I'd never actually heard the other tracks on the debut EP, never having owned it before. Whilst I was listening to the first disc I looked at what was in the charts on 24 December 1978 when it was released… Boney M were No 1 with 'Mary's Boy Child' in the singles and the 'Grease Soundtrack Album' was holding off all pretenders in the album chart. Those Martin Hannett-produced tracks sound light years away from what was in the mainstream at the time, as would the Cabs. Curiously the 3 tracks by John Dowie don't sound that dissimilar from something the likes of the Barron Knights may have performed, who had a single in the Top 5 at the time.

I'm not sure how the bonus Tiller Boys 12-inch would have been received if it had been released as originally planned. It's interesting to hear, but to my ears is basically a set of instrumental jams, and not something that would have necessarily been comparable to the opening salvo of ACR, OMD and Joy Division, although again, the fact that this was considered is typical of the label.

Hidden under the seven-inchers are the final treasures in the box, the first of which is the rarely seen and recently remastered 'No City Fun'. Accompanied by 3 Joy Division tracks, the film is almost exclusively filmed on the 42 bus route through Withington to Manchester City Centre. For me this was fascinating as it took me back to my youth, as it was about a journey I vaguely remember making as a 9-year-old complete with orange double-decker buses and Piccadilly Radio 261.

The final item contains 2 CDs worth of an interview / conversation with the aforementioned Mary Harron. This comprises ninety minutes of conversation between Mary, Tony, Rob Gretton and the members of Joy Division whilst eating out in Manchester. I had an idea this would be interesting, but I didn't realise HOW interesting. The conversation covers everything from the birth of punk and the Sex Pistols in Manchester to the formation of Joy Division and Factory. There’s all this and Tony Wilson really pushing a new Mexican restaurant (which probably would have been one of the first) in Manchester City Centre and explaining what a taco is to those listening.

Unlike myself and the Factory Sample, I imagine anyone reading this, or thinking of buying the box will have heard or own the contents of the box. They may also have seen much of the printed material in books or behind glass at exhibitions.

The box is a gorgeous artefact, lovingly curated and a truly a sum of its parts. For me personally, it's an audio/visual time capsule of a period which I missed out on by around 10 years and it offered me an opportunity to immerse myself in the late 1970s Manchester. Incidentally I am currently reading Gareth Ashton's brilliant 'Manchester: It Never Rains’ book which covers this period via eye witness accounts and adds additional context from outside of the Factory bubble.

Yes, this is expensive, but I'd say worth it as it's a quality item, which has been made to the highest possible specifications and overseen by those that have been keeping the Factory legacy alive.

Saying it's the perfect tribute for the 40th Anniversary of Factory, and to the memory of Messrs Curtis, Hannett, Gretton and Wilson, or a celebration of Saville and those who remain doesn't seem enough, but that's exactly what it is.

- Iain Key for Cerysmatic Factory

Scream City 4

2019-10-21T07:00:00.000+01:00

Scream City 4 was almost totally themed around FAC-2 A Factory Sample and featured all four artists - Joy Division, The Durutti Column, Cabaret Voltaire, John Dowie - in the form of interviews with Peter Hook, Vini Reilly, Colin Sharp, Stephen Mallinder and, er, John by Scream City regulars Ian McCartney and Michael Eastwood with a special guest appearance by Phil Kooky Cleaver. Matthew Robertson discussed the design philosophy behind the record whilst Andrew James took on the wider concept of the record label sampler throughout the history of popular music.

A free limited edition CD featured the track 'Cup a Soup Romance' from the then forthcoming album by The Durutti Column, 'Sunlight to Blue... Blue to Blackness'.

The design theme was decidedly and deliberately old school, taking the fanzine concept back to its origins. Fixed-width fonts and black and white vibe. Cover star Vini Reilly was half-toned by Steven Hankinson from a portrait photo by Rachel McFarlane.

The back cover star was the silver mascot of Tony Wilson's old Jag - true story. The figurine was broken and the owner sold it to Scream City's Ian McCartney and donated the proceeds to The Christie, where AHW had been treated during his illness.

Satellite by Stephen Mallinder out 11 October

2019-09-26T07:30:00.001+01:00

'Satellite', the second single from the upcoming album 'Um Dada' by Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire, Wrangler), his first solo album in over 35 years, is out 11 October 2019 via Dais Records.

The video (see above) was created and directed by Joe Shearsby, who shares: "I used our old family 50's Grundig for the tape parts (inspired by the inner sleeve of the album). By keeping the visuals very tightly in sync with the music I wanted to convey a sort of conversation between the character and the machines and the textures, orbiting around each other playfully, initiating different imagery as the song develops."

Pre-order signed copies of the 'Um Dada' album via Stephen Mallinder @ tm.stores [->]

Cabaret Voltaire presents Chance Versus Causality

2019-08-28T07:30:00.000+01:00

Cabaret Voltaire will make their soundtrack, 'Chance Versus Causality', available officially for the first time since the film's release in 1979. The album is out via Mute [->] on limited edition transparent green vinyl, CD and digitally on 30 August 2019 via Mute.

'Chance Versus Causality' was recorded in 1979 as the soundtrack for director Babeth Mondini's film of the same name. The band originally met Mondini at a Brussels Plan K show which featured Joy Division, Cabaret Voltaire and William S Burroughs, following which she asked them to create the soundtrack for her film. Chance Versus Causality was improvised and recorded live by the original Cabs line-up of Richard H. Kirk, Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson.

On the same day '1974-76', a selection of early years material recorded in Chris Watson's attic, will get its first vinyl release. The album, originally released on cassette via Industrial Records in 1980, was reissued on CD by Mute's The Grey Area in 1992 and will be re-released on limited edition transparent orange 2LP and on digital download.

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External links: YouTube preview | Pre-order | Cabaret Voltaire Official Facebook

Use Hearing Protection - Factory Records 1978-1979

2019-08-16T08:00:00.000+01:00

Use Hearing Protection: Factory Records 1978-1979 contains facsimile editions of the first 10 numbered Factory items: 4 vinyl records, 3 posters, a short film, Factory stationery and an egg-timer design. The early history of the label is traced in a 60-page book with text by James Nice, photos by Kevin Cummins and archival interviews with Tony Wilson, Rob Gretton, Joy Division and more. Oli and Isobel Wilson (Tony's children) are executive producers.

Contents:

Fac 1 poster
Fac 2 A Factory Sample - 2 x 7" single
Fac 3 poster
Fac 4 poster
Fac 5 All Night Party - A Certain Ratio
Fac 6 Electricity - OMD
Fac 7 1st Generation Stationery
Fac 8 Factory Egg-Timer conceptual design by Linder
Fac 9 The Factory Flick including No City Fun
Fact 10 Unknown Pleasures - Joy Division

Bonus items:

A white label 12" single by The Tiller Boys (originally intended as Fac 3 but ultimately not released)
A lengthy audio interview with Joy Division, Tony Wilson and Rob Gretton, conducted in August 1979 by journalist Mary Harron, never before heard and now restored across two CDs
A newly restored, and seldom seen since 1979, evocative 8mm short No City Fun (Fac 9), featuring music by Joy Division.

The Use Hearing Protection box is strictly limited to 4000 units worldwide, is priced at 180.00 GBP and will be released on 11 October 2019.

See rhino.co.uk [->] for information on how to order.

Cabaret Voltaire live at Berlin Atonal 2014

2014-07-06T10:45:00.000+01:00

Cabaret Voltaire, featuring a line-up consisting solely of Richard H. Kirk, screens, machines and projections, play Berlin Atonal which runs from 20-24 August 2014 in a splendid abandoned power plant.

The exact date of the CV performance has not yet been confirmed but tickets for the whole event are available now via berlin-atonal.com.

The notes state that the performance (the first as Cabaret Voltaire in 20 years) will feature "exclusively new material and no nostalgia".

12" Dance House\New Order Cabaret Voltaire

2014-06-30T07:00:00.000+01:00

The latest in the ongoing 12" Dance series covers House Music and features Fine Time (Silk Mix) by New Order plus Keep On Clubbing by Cabaret Voltaire and Happy Mondays' Hallelujah (Club Mix) not to mention Hardcore Uproar by Together and many housey Hacienda classics.

Tracklisting

1. Your Love (Feat. Jamie Principle) - Frankie Knuckles
2. Move Your Body (The House Music Anthem) (Extended) - Marshall Jefferson
3. Love Can't Turn Around (Club Remix) (Feat. Jesse Saunders & Darryl Pandy) - Farley "Jackmaster" Funk
4. Someday (Club Mix) - Cece Rogers
5. Devotion (Extended Version) - Ten City
6. You Used To Hold Me (Feat. Xavier Gold) (Kenny's Mix) - Ralphi Rosario
7. Tears (Classic Vocal) - Frankie Knuckles Presents Satoshi Tomiie
8. Can You Feel It (Original Instrumental Mix) - Mr. Fingers
9. No Way Back (Vocal Mix) - Adonis
10. Salsa House (Original Mix) - Richie Rich

CD2

1. Fine Time (Silk Mix) - New Order
2. Let It Roll (Vocal) - Doug Lazy
3. Musical Freedom - Adeva
4. I'm Every Woman (Remix) - Chaka Khan
5. Bass (How Low Can You Go) (Bomb The House Mix) - Simon Harris
6. We Call It Acieed (The Matey Mix) (Feat. Gary Haisman) - D-Mob
7. Hardcore Uproar (Original Version) - Together
8. Jibaro - Electra
9. Natural Thing (Elevation Mix) - Innocence
10. The Sun Rising - The Beloved

CD3

1. Hallelujah (Club Mix) - Happy Mondays
2. What Can You Do For Me - Utah Saints
3. Chime (Extended Version) - Orbital
4. Keep On (Clubbing) - Cabaret Voltaire
5. Ride On The Rhythm (Masters At Work Dub) - Little Louie Vega And Marc Anthony
6. Respect (The Dancing Danny D Remix) - Adeva
7. C'Mon And Get My Love (Dance Hall Mix) - Cathy Dennis With D-Mob
8. Back In My Life (Classic Mix) - Joe Roberts
9. Back To Love (Graeme Park Remix) - The Brand New Heavies
10. Son Of A Gun (Original Hooj 12" Mix) - Jx

12" Dance - House is available to buy now at the bargain price of 6.99 via Amazon.co.uk.

Of Factory New York Michael Shamberg

2014-03-13T17:39:00.000+00:00

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)

Crépuscule Polite postcards set

2014-03-05T22:15:00.000+00:00

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.

Chris Watson - Namib

2014-03-05T08:09:00.000+00:00

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.

LA Spark by Wrangler out 5 May 2014

2014-02-20T19:36:00.000+00:00

Wrangler played selected cuts from their upcoming debut album at their packed out and rather groovy Servant Jazz Quarters gig in Dalston on Tuesday. 'LA Spark' is out on 5 May on CD, vinyl LP and digital download.

The 45 minute set concluded with a storming version of Cabaret Voltaire's Crackdown (see video below).

Wrangler live @ Servant Jazz Quarters

2014-02-11T23:17:00.000+00:00

Wrangler featuring Stephen Mallinder (ex-Cabaret Voltaire), Benge (John Foxx), and Phil Winter (Tunng) play the Servant Jazz Quarters in London's Dalston on Tuesday 18 February 2014 from 8pm.

Tickets priced a very reasonable 5.00 GBP are on sale now via Blood and Biscuits.

"Expect modular synths, old drum machines, and gnarly vocals."

Support comes from Ahma (Icelandic electronic improvisation) and Tom Rogerson (Three Trapped Tigers solo piano improvisation).

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Servant Jazz Quarters
10A Bradbury Street
Dalston
Londond N16 8JN

More info at Wrangler Facebook.

Wrangler live BBC 6Music Marc Riley Session

2014-01-19T17:56:00.000+00:00

Stephen 'Mal' Mallinder's (ex-Cabaret Voltaire) new group Wrangler play a live session for Marc Riley's 6Music show this Tuesday 21 January from 19:00 GMT.

Justified Fascination

2013-12-10T21:35:00.000+00:00

In a brand new interview with John Doran for The Quietus, ex-Cabaret Voltaire lead man Richard H. Kirk talks mainly about the recent expansive 83-85 Mute box set. However, there's a couple of interesting Factory Records-related snippets in there too...

On the occasion of the opening night of the Hacienda:

"We were mates with the Factory people and we'd worked with them in the past. We'd played the original Factory club at the Russell in Moss Side. I remember when the Hacienda opened up on the Friday night there was a private party which New Order played and it wasn't open to the public. I think we decided not to go to that because we would have ended up fucked up for that Saturday night. [laughs] Because we did like to party, make no bones about it. But I don't think there were that many people there on the Saturday night and the acoustics were absolutely terrible but you know, there was something about that place. Something really good. I went there many, many times and not just to play but to watch bands and to hang out."

On The Final Academy night in Brixton (immortalised in the Ikon video 'The Final Academy Documents [IKON 9]'):

"Yeah. Well, as you know we were all mates with Throbbing Gristle who had sadly split up and then Sleazy and Gen went on to form Psychic TV and we were kind of involved in that a little bit. We made a video piece for a Psychic TV release, that I don’t think ever saw the light of day and obviously being totally into [William] Burroughs it just seemed like it would be fantastic. Brion Gysin was there. John Giorno was there. Psychic TV, Last Few Days and maybe 23 Skidoo as well. We were performing more of a low key ambient piece where the films were important and the soundtrack less so."

Go Ahead, Punk 45, Make Our Day

2013-11-25T08:30:00.000+00:00

The often-reliable Soul Jazz Records label has recently issued another mahoosive tome dedicated to record sleeve imagery, in particular punk, new wave and U.S. garage-rock. Entitled 'Punk 45 - Kill The Hippies! Kill Yourself!', the hefty volume weighs 2kg, comes dressed in an eye-catching orange cover and includes over 350 pages of punk-singles cover art from 1976-80, all edited and forwarded by Jon Savage and Stuart Baker.

Of interest to Factory fans are interviews with Peter Saville, A Certain Ratio's Martin Moscrop and Cabaret Voltaire's Richard H Kirk, plus actual-size facsimiles of classic Factory-related 45s such as 'Transmission' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division, plus ACR, Section 25 and a few Les Disques du Crépuscule favourites from the early days, as well as hundreds of other luminaries of snotty new-wave and gob-rock such as Slaughter and the Dogs, Metal Urbain, Buzzcocks, The Skids, Robert Rental, XTC and the wonderfully-named Those Naughty Lumps.

The RRP is £25 (£20 from the Sounds Of The Universe shop in Broadwick Street, London) and is supported by a CD of the same title, comprised of various underground punk singles from the States. It's suffixed with the magic words, 'Volume One' which suggests the second volume may include a few UK nuggets.

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Punk 45: The Singles Cover Art of Punk 1976-80
Edited by Jon Savage and Stuart Baker
Published by Soul Jazz Books
400 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0957260009

Paul Haig - 'At Twilight' [TWI 1154 CD]

2013-11-16T17:29:00.000+00:00

At Twilight is a new 2CD compilation of singles and album tracks recorded by Paul Haig for Les Disques du Crépuscule which were variously produced by Alan Rankine, Cabaret Voltaire, Bernard Sumner, Mantronik, Lil Louis, Alex Sadkin and Man Parrish and it's out via Crépuscule on 20 January 2014.

The second CD includes all nine tracks from the lost Alan Rankine-produced second studio album from 1984 which has never before been released in its complete form. Plus it also includes 'The Executioner', the unreleased collaboration between Cabaret Voltaire and Paul Haig which was originally planned for release on Factory Benelux (FBN 47/48).

It all comes packaged with a cover portrait by Charles Van Hoorick and the liner booklet includes archive images and track-by-track commentary by Paul Haig.

Tracklisting

Disc 1

1. Running Away
2. Chance
3. Time
4. Justice
5. Adoration
6. Heaven Sent
7. The Only Truth (12" version)
8. Heaven Help You Now
9. Love Eternal
10. Torchomatic
11. Reach the Top
12. Swinging For You
13. I Believe In You
14. My Kind
15. Flight X

Disc 2

1. Shining Hour
2. Big Blue World
3. Love Eternal
4. One Lifetime Away
5. The Only Truth
6. Fear & Dancing
7. Trust
8. Love & War
9. All Our Love
10. Ghost Rider
11. Endless Song
12. Blue For You (Interference Mix)
13. The Executioner
14. Change Of Heart
15. The Only Truth (US Remix)

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Paul Haig
At Twilight
Les Disques du Crépuscule
TWI 1154 CD
2CD + Digital Download
20 January 2014

lesdisquesducrepuscule.com

The Executioner's Theme

2013-11-12T12:59:00.000+00:00

'The Executioner', the unreleased collaboration between Cabaret Voltaire and Paul Haig which was originally planned for release on Factory Benelux (FBN 47/48) will finally be released via Les Disques du Crépuscule as part of the forthcoming Paul Haig compilation 'At Twilight' (TWI 1154 CD).

The FBN 47/48 (one was the 7", the other the 12") tracks have previously surfaced elsewhere. One mix can be found on Paul Haig's 'European Sun' compilation LP/CD (TWI 829) on Crépuscule or Interphon CD (IPCD 2018-36 1988). Another mix can be found on the cassette version of 'The Quick Neat Job' Crépuscule compilation (TWIC 643).

The 2CD album slated for Winter/Spring 2013/14 will also include Haig's lost 1984 Island album in its entirety.

#8385 Collected Works 1983-1985 Ltd Edition

2013-10-23T09:38:00.000+01:00

A special limited edition of 500 copies signed by Richard H. Kirk of Cabaret Voltaire's new retrospective #8385 Collected Works 1983-1985 is now available to pre-order ahead of its 4 November 2013 release.

Contents include:

4 vinyl LP albums (The Crackdown, Micro-Phonies, Drinking Gasoline, The Covenant The Sword and the Arm of the Lord)
6 CDs (The Crackdown, Mirco-Phonies, Drinking Gasoline, The Covenant The Sword and the Arm of the Lord plus a CD of 12" mixes and an unreleased CD called Earthshaker - The Lost Soundtrack)
2 DVDs - 2 live shows and Gasoline In Your Eye
40-page 12"-sized booklet with extensive and exclusive sleeve notes from typographer Phil Barnes and Richard H. Kirk and a synopsis on Earthshaker.

All of the audio has been remastered from the original master tapes and over seen by Richard H. Kirk.

The pre-order price is 139.99 GBP via shop.cabaret-voltaire.net

Stand by for #7885 (Electro Punk to Techno Pop 1978-1985 in 2014!

1. Micro-Phonies

Do Right
The Operative
Digital Rasta
Spies In The Wires
Theme From Earthshaker
James Brown
Slammer
Blue Heat
Sensoria

2. Drinking Gasoline

Kino
Sleepwalking
Big Funk
Ghost Talk

3. The Crackdown + EP

24-24
In The Shadows
Talking Time
Animation
Over And Over
Just Fascination
Why Kill Time (When You Can Kill Yourself)
Haiti
Crackdown
Diskono
Theme From Doublevision
Moscow
Badge Of Evil

4. The Covenant, The Sword And The Arm Of The Lord

L21ST
I Want You
Hells Home
Kickback
The Arm Of The Lord
Warm
Golden Halos
Motion Rotation
Whip Blow
The Web

5. Cabaret Voltaire 83-85 12" As and Bs

Just Fascination (12" Version)
Crackdown (12)
The Dream Ticket (12" Version)
Sensoria (12" Version)
James Brown (12" Version)
I Want You (12" Version)
Safety Zone (12" Version)
Cut The Damn Camera (12" Version)
Bad Self Pt.1 (12" Version)
Drink Your Poison (12" Version)
COMA (12" Version)

6. Earthshaker

Earthshaker 5
Earthshaker 1
Theme From Earthshaker (Sheffield Mix)
Digital Rasta (Dub Version)
Earthshaker 3
Whip Blow (Instrumental Dub)
James Brown (Instrumental)
Golden Halos (Instrumental Dub)
Earthshaker 2
Cut The Damn Camera (Sheffield Mix)
Do Right (Cut Up Mix)
Earthshaker 4

7. DVD1

Bedford Boys Club 18.08.84
Intro
Crackdown
Sensoria
Just Fascination
Safety Zone
Ghost Talk
Digital Rasta
Kino
Do right
Hammersmith Palais 02.12.84
Mao Intro
Animation
Big Funk
Sensoria
Digital Rasta
Japno
Ghost Talk
Sleepwalking
Kino
Do Right

8. DVD2

Gasoline In Your Eye
Introduction
Crackdown
Diffusion
Sleepwalking
Slow Boat To Thassos
Sensoria
Automotivation
Big Funk
Kino
Ghostalk
Fadeout

DVD Extras

Just Fascination 7" Mix
Sensoria 7" Mix
I Want You 7" Mix
I Want You 12" Mix

A regular boxed set which omits the vinyl albums and isn't signed or limited editions is priced 99.99 is also available.

Facs In The Attic Part 3

2013-10-03T18:00:00.000+01:00

After exploring the vaults of Factory Records in both Part 1 and Part 2, the third chapter in our Facs In The Attic series deals with the first overseas releases. We'll have a peek at Factory Benelux issues, old and new, plus round up a few interesting related items released on Belgian cousin Les Disques du Crepuscule.

Factory Benelux

Recently revived as part of the LTM empire (though run as a separate entity), Factory Benelux was a comparatively short-lived project that ran initially for eight years from 1980 to 1988. It could be argued that some of the label's earlier exclusive releases were superior to those issued by the same acts on Factory. Regardless, the value of most of the Benelux catalogue is encouraging - clearly the availability of many of the original FBN releases proved to be scarce in the UK at best, impossible at worst, making the label a hit with collectors.

The earliest singles by A Certain Ratio (Shack Up 7" - FBN 1-004), The Durutti Column (Lips The Would Kiss/Madeleine 7"/12" - FBN 2-005) and Section 25 (Charnel Ground / Haunted 7") all fetch around £15-£20 depending on seller, while further later exclusives by Crispy Ambulance (Live On a Hot August Night 12" - FACBN 4), Section 25 (Je Veux Ton Amour 7" - FACBN 5) and Crawling Chaos (Gas Chair LP - FACBN 6) weigh in from anything between £20 and £50 (for the latter) - these need to be in mint condition to achieve those prices.

Other highlights from the catalogue (now with a shorter FBN prefix) include The Names' sprightly Calcutta 7"/12" at around £15-£20, two further Section 25 releases, Key Of Dreams LP (FBN 14 - £35) and Crazy Wisdom 12" (FBN 45 - £25), two Minny Pops records, Time 7" (FBN 11 - £30) and Sparks In a Dark Room (FBN 15 - up to £50!), two Stockholm Monsters 12" singles Miss Moonlight (FBN 19 - £15) and How Corrupt Is Rough Trade? (FBN 46 - £15) and the original pressing of Durutti Column's wistful Deux Triangles 12" EP (FBN 10 - £30), all of which were only pressed in the Low Countries.

Remaining releases from the initial tenure can be found priced upwards of £10, even those that seemingly match Factory UK singles and albums. However, such as in the case of Swamp Children's So Hot LP (FBN 21 - £20) and Quando Quango's Love Tempo (FBN 23 - £20-£30), a different sleeve can increase collectibility somewhat.

The new, all-sparkly, Factory Benelux label, revived in 2013, has already notched up one rarity - the limited 1000 copies edition of Durutti Column's Short Stories For Pauline (FBN 36) has already prompted a few chancers on Discogs to charge upwards of £30 for a copy.

Les Disques du Crepuscule

Cousin Les Disques du Crepuscule (originally based in Brussels) didn't release a lot of music by Factory artists but occasionally licensed material by a few of the acts and vice versa.

Wim Mertens

You may remember one Wim Mertens from Part 2 of our Facs In The Attic series - £200 for a cassette version of Educes Me should jog your memory. His Belgium catalogue is extensive to say the least but his early Crepuscule releases are also worth a small bankroll (most have admittedly been re-issued on EMI, but original vinyls still command decent prices). For vinyl issued under the collective name Soft Verdict, you can expect to cough up a small mortgage for The Power Of Theatrical Madness 12" (TWI 283 - £50), Maximizing The Audience on 12" (12 TWI 580 - £25), its attendant double-album of the same name (TWI 480 - £20 upwards) and the debut-album For Amusement Only (TWI 049 - £50 upwards). Albums under the Wim Mertens moniker aren't a lot cheaper with perhaps the scariest value being attributed to his (count 'em) 6 CD set Play For Me (TWI 831-2 - £100 average) and the 13 CD set Moment (TWI 1980 - £400).

Anna Domino

Rather more modest is Anna's fine catalogue of dark earthy and intelligent pop. Original vinyl versions of the albums East Meet West (TWI 187) and This Time (TWI 777) can fetch £10 upwards, while her 7" single Trust In Love (TWI 177) hits £15 regularly online, sometimes more.

Cabaret Voltaire

Providers of FAC 82 (Yashar), Cabaret Voltaire issued rather more records for their Belgian friends, including the landmark Three Crepuscule Tracks 12" EP, which includes Sluggin' Fer Jesus (TWI 007 - £10), Fools Game/Gut Level (TWI 120 - £10), the bleeptastic What Is Real on CD single (TWI 948-2 - £12) and the not dissimilar mini-album Percussion Force on CD (TWI 951-2 - £20).

Devine & Statton

OK, not strictly a Factory artist but the Ludus/Young Marble Giants-related pair have a connection - their acoustic cover of New Order's Bizarre Love Triangle, issued as a 12" EP in 1989. TWI 908 was pressed in seemingly short supply and promptly deleted, just as it started to pick up airplay on Radio 1 evening shows. It's worth around £15 in mint condition.

The Durutti Column

Vini Reilly's music probably appeared on more Crepuscule compilations than actual headlining releases but DC did issue a couple. Both on CD, Fidelity (TWI 976-2) and a re-jigged Circuses and Bread (previously issued on Factory Benelux FBN 36 and Factory FACD 154, now called Bread and Circuses) (TWI 988-2) can raise you about £10-£15.

The Names

Responsible for one of Factory's most-revered 7" (Nightshift), The Brussels-based outfit not surprisingly booked themselves a place on their home-label with two releases. The Names' Martin Hannett-produced Swimming LP (TWI 065) can earn you £20-£25 for a top copy while the 12" The Astronaut (TWI 111) came in two colours, black and green vinyl. The former is worth about £10, the green about double.

Thick Pigeon

The quirky outfit's Two Crazy Cowboys album on Factory isn't their only money-spinner worth seeking out - two of their 7" singles are too. Subway (TWI 023) is one of the label's defining moments and is worthy of a £20 note while Dog/Tracy and Pansy (TWI 108) is worth around £10.

Various Artists

There isn't enough space to mention the Crepuscule compilations blessed with the presence of a Factory artist but we'll mention just one that is seriously worth having. From Brussels With Love (TWI 007 and TWI 008, depending on version) sports tracks by The Durutti Column, Martin Hannett (solo track), The Names, A Certain Ratio and a collaboration between Kevin Hewick and New Order. Early copies cost £25 on average (it's a double album) or as little as a tenner for a re-press (or the LTM CD reissue). The original cassette in PVC pouch with booklet is upwards of £25.

Prices quoted are from Discogs, eBay, sightings in shops and other online sources.

You can find new releases and further information on forthcoming projects on Factory Benelux here and Les Disques du Crepuscule here

The final part of Facs In The Attic will deal with other international releases and non-audio Facollectables!

Always New - Section 25's latest activities

2013-09-20T08:51:00.000+01:00

Following on from our recent piece on Section 25's prolific spell of activity, we take a more detailed look at the band's most recent releases, re-releases and remixes from the past year or so, as well as a quick glance at their upcoming gigs, one of which might be of interest to Factory fans next year!

Dark Light CD/download

Released early 2013, Dark Light is the band's seventh studio album 'proper' and their first since 2009's Nature and Degree (also their first without founder Larry Cassidy). By turns forward-thinking with its electronics and feminine vocals, courtesy of Bethany and Jo, yet still harbouring attitude and awareness reminiscent of earlier material, DL comes decorated in a fresh new Peter Saville sleeve and heralds something of a new chapter in the band's history. For a full review, head to Flipside here

My Outrage 7"

Perhaps the focal point of the band's pristine new album Dark Light was this sprightly pop nugget, selected for a Record Store Day release, back in April. Coupled with an otherwise unreleased instrumental called Hinterland, My Outrage came dressed in a variant of the smart Peter Saville sleeve designed for its bigger brother/sister. There may be a few copies left for a fiver - more details here

From The Hip vinyl

Summer 2012 saw a double vinyl issue appear on the resurrected Factory Records, dressed smartly in its original Peter Saville sleeve and sporting a sticker declaring the inclusion of a bonus 12". This extra slab of plastic includes the original Megamix version of Looking From a Hilltop from Fac 108 and a much-fancied remix of the same tune (re-titled as Another Hilltop) by New Order's Stephen Morris. A worthy reissue and well worth seeking out.

Love and Hate CD

Previously issued on CD by LTM, its newly refurbished cousin Factory Benelux dusted down this under-rated set by sprucing it up with some natty extras. As well as the main album re-assembled back into its original running order, you get both sides of Bad News Week (FAC 157), 'retro' mixes of Warhead and the previously unrecorded Boogie Beat and two tracks from the Factory Benelux EP, Crazy Wisdom. Buy it from FBN direct and you get an exclusive slipcase sleeve.

Split 12" with Stereograph

American electro stalwarts met Blackpool, er, electro stalwarts for this split coloured-vinyl 12" single, housed in a die-cut sleeve in a limited run of just 500 copies. Section 25's offerings were hard-to-find dubs of Colour Movement Sex and Violence and Inner Drive - you also get a download code to preserve your precious wax. There are still copies left at Phaneron Records direct for 10 bucks plus postage.

Invicta Max 10"

Expanding on the earlier 2011 download release on Hacienda Records, this clear-vinyl 10" on Minimal Maximal took the Invicta EP to the Max by adding two more titles to the running order, namely a double-whammy of remixes of the previously unrecorded Microgroove. Absolute Body Control lent their industrial chops for one version and very good it is too. Even rarer than the split Stereograph single, only 400 copies were pressed up. If you want a copy of MM011, you should try Daft Records in the first instance.

Eigengrau remix album

Following on from the band's own collection of reinterpreted favourites, this collection from Austria's Klanggalerie imprint featured third-party remixes of classics such as Dirty Disco, Beating Heart, Girls Don't Count and The Process, as well as adding another reworking of Looking From a Hilltop. A stellar cast of mainly electro or industrial remixers includes Cabaret Voltaire's Stephen Mallinder, Zoviet France, 23 Skidoo, Renaldo and the Loaf and Absolute Body Control. After reading the Flipside review, you should nip over to LTM to grab a copy - it's rather good.

The Post Romantic Empire album

Now this IS a grand project and no mistake. Both Vincent and Larry Cassidy can be heard on two atmospheric versions of Love Will Tear Us Apart - the former contributes drums to the first version while Larry's last ever recording, a spoken word recital of Ian Curtis' lyrics, has been interwoven with music provided by Peter Hook, Nat Wason (Haven, The Light) and Eliot Bates. The rest of the limited hand-produced vinyl-album includes equally expressive contributions by David Tibet, Annabella Lwin, Little Annie and several others. More details can be found on the PRE website.

And that's not all - a 2 x CD deluxe reissue of From The Hip has been earmarked for a 2014 release on Factory Benelux - more on this new exciting release of FBN33 to follow...

Gigs:

Section 25 have announced a veritable smorgasbord of shows during 2013 and 2014. Here's our handy guide - tickets subject to availability.

Islington Mill, Salford on 19 October

First up is the much-anticipated Machination Nation event at Islington Mill on 19 October. On the bill with S25 are AAAK, otherwise known as As Able As Kane, plus DJ slots from MC Tunes, Chewdisco and Mouseybrown. Head to Allgigs for tickets (Early Birds have all gone, still a few standard entry tickets left though).

Germany - Cologne at the Blue Shell, Luxemburger Strasse 32 on 6 December

Austria - Vienna at the Fluc, Praterstern 5 on 8th December

Blackpool County Cricket Ground, Blackpool on 25th May 2014

The band will play at the fourth instalment of Alfresco alongside Factory label-mates A Certain Ratio, plus a nifty line-up that includes Mr Scruff, Andrew Weatherall and more. Tickets from Cowbell Radio direct, priced from £10 upwards.