I just took this for a spin for the first time in ages, looked at the sleeve and noticed that it was made in 1983. It sounds so clear, so beautifully produced. Crisp bass, Matt J's vocals. This is a great record.
I've spent the last few days researching and writing a detailed history of Factory Records, from the Sex Pistols' appearances at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall in 1976 through to the label's collapse in November 1992.
It's remarkable how much came out of one independent record label. Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, A Certain Ratio and The Durutti Column were all part of its history, alongside Martin Hannett's production, Peter Saville's artwork and, of course, The Haçienda.
What interests me most is how Factory's greatest strengths arguably contributed to its downfall. The artists enjoyed extraordinary creative freedom, but expensive record sleeves, the financial demands of The Haçienda and the absence of conventional recording contracts eventually caught up with the company.
I've covered the people, records, decisions and stories behind it all in a new long-form feature for my independent music website, Beyond the Grooves.
Here's the article:
https://www.beyond-the-grooves.co.uk/blog/you-either-make-money-or-you-make-history
I'm interested in what other fans think. Was Factory's collapse inevitable, or could Tony Wilson and the others have preserved its independence while running a more sustainable business?
found this track on an old tape I most likely recorded from John Peel show in early eighties...really love the groove. Anyone know who this is and if available to buy or stream to get a better quality copy. I think the band was called Catwalk or something like that but might be wrong? AI sent me on wild goose chase! I know he played a lot of unrleased demo's so maybe that's it
Happy October!
From Newman's awesome solo record.
One of my favorites of theirs...
The most underrated band of the 80s. Best 80s band in my opinion. First song from them that I ever heard was this one in the late 80s, then when I heard Swamp Thing I fell in love with the band. All the 80s New Wave club DJs loved them. I even used to have Matt Pinfield from 120 minutes play them for me at The Melody Bar in the late 80s when he DJ'd there, he was a huge fan of them too.
With the passing of Roddy Frantz from DC's Urban Verbs, his brother shared the Eno-produced demo that got the Verbs their record contract with Atlantic. Recorded live at CBGB's, Eno later added background vocals.
The Mike Thorne-produced studio version came with 1980's self-titled Urban Verbs, followed by 1981's Early Damage, produced by Steve Lilywhite and Jeff Glixman. Both records are worthy additions to any post-punk collection, with the first LP being my desert island record, containing two of the most intelligent love songs ever written, of which Next Question is the first.