Factory: The Story of the Record Label
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Product Description
Book Description
NOW UPDATED, THE STORY OF THE RISE AND FALL OF ONE OF THE UK'S MOST INFLUENTIAL RECORD LABELS
Product Description
Factory Records' fame and fortune were based on two bands - Joy Division and New Order - and one personality - that of its director, Tony Wilson. At the height of the label's success in the late 1980s, it ran its own club, the legendary Haçienda, had a string of international hit records, and was admired and emulated around the world. But by the 1990s the story had changed. The back catalogue was sold off, top bands New Order and Happy Mondays were in disarray, and the Haçienda was shut down by the police.
Critically acclaimed on its original publication in 1996, this book tells the complete story of Factory Records' spectacular history, from the label's birth in 1970s Manchester, through its '80s heyday and '90s demise. Now updated to include new material on the re-emergence of Joy Division, the death of Tony Wilson and the legacy of Factory Records, it draws on exclusive interviews with the major players to give a fascinating insight into the unique personalities and chaotic reality behind one of the UK's most influential and successful independent record labels.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Apparently this is a virtual reprint of one of Mick Middles' earlier books. Hence some annoid customers. Since I havent read THAT book i'll comment on this book on its merits alone.
For me, who grew up on the same streets as Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner and Tony Wilson (when he was in Salford), I found it almost moving in the memories it brought back of life in the late 70s early 80s. Middles really brings home what it was like then.
I really enjoyed the stories and the way it shattered a few myths. Middles has a great grasp of the characters involved and doesnt seem to be involved in the inevitable bitchiness and backbiting that surrounds succesful artists. Joy Division and New Order have attracted mountains of pretentious tosh written about them, most of which I enjoyed but Middles steers clear of this and gives a great account of how Factory turned out the way it did.
I also like the way he gives Tony MIchaliedes loads of credit ; his local radio show was a massive part of the Manchester music scene in the mid 80s, giving so many local bands much needed exposure.
Tony Wilson is given loads of space to give his version of events( which is always a very entertaining version).
As mentioned in other reviews there is not much on the other Factory bands but as a recount of the development of the label and of how Joy Division/ New Order came to be so great, I think its a brilliant read.
For me, who grew up on the same streets as Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner and Tony Wilson (when he was in Salford), I found it almost moving in the memories it brought back of life in the late 70s early 80s. Middles really brings home what it was like then.
I really enjoyed the stories and the way it shattered a few myths. Middles has a great grasp of the characters involved and doesnt seem to be involved in the inevitable bitchiness and backbiting that surrounds succesful artists. Joy Division and New Order have attracted mountains of pretentious tosh written about them, most of which I enjoyed but Middles steers clear of this and gives a great account of how Factory turned out the way it did.
I also like the way he gives Tony MIchaliedes loads of credit ; his local radio show was a massive part of the Manchester music scene in the mid 80s, giving so many local bands much needed exposure.
Tony Wilson is given loads of space to give his version of events( which is always a very entertaining version).
As mentioned in other reviews there is not much on the other Factory bands but as a recount of the development of the label and of how Joy Division/ New Order came to be so great, I think its a brilliant read.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is quite clearly an update on Mick Middles previous Factory book and has a bright new yellow jacket and facesque lettering like a number of recent books that explore similar territory.
Unfortunately there is not enough new material or fresh angles to really warrant another 'factory' book.
There's a Tony Wilson biography, or two, on the way and with the plethora of recent publications, it's becoming a bit like the post Beatles industry- "I was Lennon's chef" etc.
Maybe time now to move on and let the dead dogs lie.
Having said that this is on the whole well researched, good on anecdote without really delving too deeply into the music itself or the whole dysfunction of the factory family and the early deaths.
The zeitgesit has moved on from the laddy madchester scene and second generation post punk.
The interesting and creative explorations are in the planet post-rock.
Unfortunately there is not enough new material or fresh angles to really warrant another 'factory' book.
There's a Tony Wilson biography, or two, on the way and with the plethora of recent publications, it's becoming a bit like the post Beatles industry- "I was Lennon's chef" etc.
Maybe time now to move on and let the dead dogs lie.
Having said that this is on the whole well researched, good on anecdote without really delving too deeply into the music itself or the whole dysfunction of the factory family and the early deaths.
The zeitgesit has moved on from the laddy madchester scene and second generation post punk.
The interesting and creative explorations are in the planet post-rock.
Format:Paperback
It is an informative book, definitely, and I agree with the other reviewers that it helps to dispel a few myths.
However, be prepared for some irksome errors. The classic Warsaw song "Walked In Line" is referred to as "They Walked In Lines", even going so far as to quote mis-heard lyrics.
The other one that nearly got me throwing the book across a crowded train on a recent commute, was the reference (twice!) to a band called Ian Drury and the Kilburns! I have no idea who they were. I can only imagine they were not a patch on Kilburn & The High Roads, or even the legendary Ian Dury.
Maybe Mick Middles has amnesia. Whatever the reason, it just made me question every other 'fact' in the book. So, in summary, approach with caution.
However, be prepared for some irksome errors. The classic Warsaw song "Walked In Line" is referred to as "They Walked In Lines", even going so far as to quote mis-heard lyrics.
The other one that nearly got me throwing the book across a crowded train on a recent commute, was the reference (twice!) to a band called Ian Drury and the Kilburns! I have no idea who they were. I can only imagine they were not a patch on Kilburn & The High Roads, or even the legendary Ian Dury.
Maybe Mick Middles has amnesia. Whatever the reason, it just made me question every other 'fact' in the book. So, in summary, approach with caution.
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