Tony Davidson (TJM Records / TJ Davidson’s Rehearsals) - Interview (2020)

The history of the Manchester Music Scene from the night the Sex Pistols played the Lesser Free Trade Hall on 6th June 1976 is generally well documented for  those who are interested.

Over the last couple of years a two books have been published by Empire Publishing, Martin Ryan's 'Friends Of Mine' and Gareth Ashton's 'Manchester, It Never Rains' which added new perspectives to the music scene in the city leading up to and including the early days of punk and new wave.

This October sees the release of 'The TJM Story' by Tony Davidson, a man who isn't perhaps as well known as the likes of Tony Wilson, Rob Gretton or Martin Hannett however is equally important, if not more so, in some areas and whose involvement facilitated the development and growth of a number of individuals and bands which has led to artists such as New Order and Simply Red being heard around the world.

Tony regularly posts fascinating anecdotes on Facebook which add additional context to what's been written about previously and I, like many are really looking forward to reading the book

Hi Tony, How are you?

Very good, working hard on the book, getting to the end of it now. It's been a good experience, really enjoying it, the people I've been meeting and the really great stories/memories I'm hearing

When did you start pulling it together?

I started off over 2 years ago, a slow process, and then things started getting momentum with a few 'big names' coming along. now I've got a bit of media interest to now they know there is a book coming out

 

A lot of significance is put on the first Pistols gig and Factory for making Manchester what it is, but I think you’re often overlooked and don’t get the credit or recognition you deserve in making things happen

No, I don't. Tony Wilson came a long later, and was a great talented guy in the media but it all had to start somewhere, and part of that was the bands coming together and a lot of them have said if it wasn't for the TJM set up with the Warehouse in the centre of Manchester the music scene could have happened but it would have been very fragmented... because of the rehearsal rooms it gave bands a chance to come together to share their ideas, Peter Hook said that, it was a place all the bands came together, it was just a unique moment in time

Did you feel it was something special at the time?

Not really, when you're in the process of it all from 1977-79 you're just doing your best but now it's become part of the worldwide music history

How did you come to buy the warehouse that was to become TJ Davidson’s?

My family were in the jewellery business, and I was very lucky. I had left jewellery college and worked in the family shop for a year and then went out on my own. At the same time the price of gold went up, and because of the contacts I had in about 6 months I earnt quite a bit of money. I was going to buy a house in Wilmslow and about to get married to my first wife, but I was managing The Drones and had some success getting them a record deal...

Like a lot of people went to the second Sex Pistols concert. I was just fired up and have a eureka moment. I'd done my best with The Drones taking them as far as I could and saw this property in town, you're talking about Manchester in 1977, it was a very depressed area, near Deansgate, around the corner from where the Hacienda would be, less than 50 yards away on Little Peter Street. This 'mill' took up two thirds of the street, I looked round it and thought 'right'... 

I always knew there was a demand for a place for rehearsals and just had a feeling. I could see the bands in there. I just got the inspiration...

Can I ask how much it cost?

The building cost me £21500, they had it up at £28000 but I got it down to £21500 and bought the property... that was a lot of money back in 1977. I wish I'd kept it! I'd be a millionaire by now!

 

How did you attract the bands?

I had a plan straight away and started fly posting, advertising, there was no media, no internet... I got Tosh Ryan from Rabid Records involved, did my office in the building up and then the bands just started coming... the first were Ed Banger and The Nosebleeds

and then it was just an avalanche... people saw the number about town and started coming down, Joy Division, The Fall, Buzzcocks... and big bands at the time like Sad Cafe. Sometimes there would be 20 bands in there at the same time and out of that then started the record company...

 

I was going to ask about that, did it feel like a natural progression?

Yes, it was a natural progression as there were so many bands...

I remember when Mick Hucknall come in, he was very push though and we were full, he said 'but we've come all the way from Hyde'... I said I've got one room... right in the depth of the building, in the cellar, it had lighting but no natural light... they loved it... After 2 weeks I went to get my rent money but they didn't have it... and Hucknell said 'we'll do a record for you'... at the time I'd signed The Distractions and Slaughter and The Dogs, they weren't even on my radar... but he was that persuasive, I said 'look, I'll give you 4 weeks free time'... cos I felt sorry for them... told them to improve the act as they were all over the place musically, hone your craft, and fair play to them they used to treat it like a job and come in 9am-5pm and work.They still weren't perfect, but I saw something...

Slaughter and The Dogs come in, they'd left Decca, and thought they were gonna sell records so gave them a big money deal... £2000 advance... put them in the studio, they sold 15000 records, which today would get you in the charts...

 

What was it like with Joy Division?

I saw them develop from Warsaw into Joy Division, they didn't really know what they were doing at first, people say now that they had some magical touch... but it was the press and production that made them.

At the time they come to me and asked me to manage them. but I had so much on my plate with the rehearsal rooms and record company... I knew I couldn't do them justice, I think they were trying to impress me, I remember it clearly, they took me to the one kebab house in Manchester open on a Sunday, under Piccadilly Hotel... but I said to them, give me 2 weeks... and in that time Rob Gretton became the manager... we had a good laugh about that

But you still helped them with 12" repressing of 'Ideal for Living'

Yeah, I leant the money, it was all good natured, I didn't charge them any interest... they owed me £100 in back rent too which I put in the letter that has been in books and things

 

There must be some fantastic stories going into the book...

There are, Billy Duffy who is in America now was in Ed Banger and The Nosebleeds, he's a superstar now in The Cult. Toby Tomanov was in Primal Scream.... the stories they tell me are fantastic.

There are so many stories within stories

 

You had a feature in 'Record Collector' earlier in the year. Has there been any interest in putting together a compilation of the bands?

Yes, we're bringing out a compilation to cover the label

 

TJM Records finished in 1979, what did you do afterwards?

After TJM closed down I went back to the jewellery business until a few years later when Mick Hucknall, Simply Red released 'Holding Back The Years' and I had those early recordings of him so I brought out a 12" EP of the 6 recordings he did for TJM.

There was a big legal case with Virgin which I won... and after that I started up a '60's' label...

 

That must have been interesting...

It was, I did a lot of work signing about 80 bands from the 60's. People like Pete Best, Tony Preston, Little Eva, Bobby Vee, The Searchers... load and loads...  and licensed them to part of the 'Trojan' Music Group. That took me all over the world... in the 90's I did a compilation Manchester bands...

 

With Pete Mitchell who is sadly no longer with us ?

Yes, that's very sad. It wasn't long since I'd spoken to him as he was going to set up meetings with Bernard Stephen and Hooky, separately of course but unfortunately, he passed away.

Since then I've met up with Hooky who said he wanted to get involved. He's always been very complimentary in his books about TJM and myself, he has agreed to speak on the 'launch night' for the book 

Sorry, I interrupted, so the 60's label?

Well I was a Soul Boy, loved the Twisted Wheel, but that lead me to punk. I just love music of all kinds. It's taken me all around the world... In the course of doing what I've done I've met people like George Martin, I'm not saying I'm a great friend of his but you'd get talking about what you were doing, he was really nice and interested with a real passion for music like me.

I've had a great life and here to tell the tale!

 

Just aside from music for a moment... football?

I used to be a United fan but for some reason lost interest When my son was young, I got interested in Bury FC, and I become a really passionate supporter.

Their demise has really impacted on the people of the town, they've lost their identity. It's a great shame but I will be supporting the phoenix club... I live just down the road in Prestwich

 

Is it just bands covered in the book?

I have as many as I could, not all the big bands. There are some of the 'smaller' ones. I couldn't interview everyone though as there were nearly 80, maybe 90 that passed through the rehearsal rooms, but there are people like  Dave Gleave from 'The Naughty Boys'... they didn't release anything but I've got to know Dave.

I've done a piece on the photographers that passed through in the book. There was Anton Corbijn and of course Kevin Cummins, but Dave has, by shear hard work and persistence,  come forward and for me is the No 1 Manchester photographer.

He's better than he thinks, he's a very talented photographer. He's got an edge on a lot of others so he merits a place in the book, he’s got the rare knack of bringing out the character in the individual. 

 

You mentioned The Fall, did you get to speak to Mark before we lost him?

Yes I did, I knew him from TJM and we got on, but in his later life I bumped into him in Prestwich Precinct. People always say he was very abrupt and offhand but he said, 'you'll have to come for a drink'.

I ended up drinking with him 3 or 4 times. He'd talk about things in life that were so in-depth and he encouraged me to get the book done... he wasn't one that followed Factory, he thought they were very pretentious.... but my point is I've been very honoured to have some of these kinds of meetings and do these off the wall interviews... I'm not going to say we were best of friends, but he did take time to do a great interview...

 

What can people expect from the book?

The book will not be a glib, sanitised thing, I've had a great life, but I have lived in the fast lane, 3 wives... I like wedding cake! I'm going to tell it like it is from my rebellious boarding school days it's all added up into a good story...

Finally, just back to Lou Macari, how did the contact with him come about, was it down to the 1979 Squad coming to rehearse their Cup Final Single at the rehearsal rooms?

That's another story! 

Football wasn't like it is now with all the millions but Man United were still the biggest. They'd got to the Cup Final against Arsenal. The club didn't sponsor the record, so the players had done a deal with RCA Records to get some money in their pockets.

TJM Studios were very prominent at the time, and my posters were plastered all around Manchester, you couldn't miss it... so I get a call from Man United asking how much it would be to book a rehearsal room just for 2 hours to rehearse the song...

I said £70. The cheque came the same day they came down. I'm there thinking 'they're not going to like it'... the rooms were great for the punks, they had atmosphere, but the players couldn't relate to that.

So they all come up the stairs, I greeted Lou Macari at the top, he's looking round, shaking his head, laughing and joking. Hucknall was there hanging over the bannister trying to get autographs, Hooky was there too but most of Joy Division were City... you could hear United and City chants echoing around the building...

Anyway, I opened up the room, which was Sad Cafe's room, they were away on a world tour... so they all look in and there was a deathly silence... and Sammy McIlroy says 'there's no chairs to sit down'... and I said, 'you’re not here for a Team Photo, you're here to rehearse'... so they all started laughing, and had a con-flab... Lou said... 'keep the cheque, we'll go back to Old Trafford to use the Conference Room there’.

Now, years later I'm doing the book and was thinking I wouldn't mind getting Man United in it, I managed to get through to Lou Macari and I introduced myself and asked if he could remember coming down... he burst out laughing and said 'I couldn't forget it... and you kept the cheque as well!'

From there we've struck up a rapport. I knew about his charity and was invited to go down. I tell you I was humbled. He's there at the homeless shelter 5 or 6 times a week, he's a modern-day Saint. I mean that genuinely. He devotes his time to help people that are really lost causes, and I have nothing but respect for him. He uses his celebrity status to help people, he's great guy.

I don't want to come across all 'Smashie and Nicey' about it but I've raised £2000 for his  Charity, 'The Macari Centre' though those I’ve spoken to about the book and people they’ve brought to it also, like yourself, with the reprints of some of the old posters and the TJM Badge..

 

Last 3 questions...

What's your favourite album?

That's a hard one... so many... I love a lot of different music, but I'd have to go back to a soul album really, it's quite rare now... 'The Artistry of Brenda Holloway'. I just do love soul music... I do lve punk and I do love rock, but I'll always go back to soul

Favourite single or song?

For that Brenda Holloway it's the whole album, but there is a track 'Every Little Bit Hurts' which is a kind of dance record that takes me back to when I used to go to the Twisted Wheel, just evokes happy memories.

All Time Favourite Band or Artist?

Dylan, I'd say Bob Dylan, for what he did to change pop music.

 

Thanks for your time Tony. Look forward to meeting up for the book launch if not before

 

 

Iain Key 2020

 

Section 25 - 'Duette' Review and Vin Cassidy Interview (2020)

Section 25 - Duette (2020)



It's arguable that Section 25 have never received the credit they truly deserve.

Hopefully, the 'new' live album 'Duette' performed by founder member Vin Cassidy alongside longtime collaborator Stephen Stringer, recorded live at 'Replugged in Vienna on 25th October 2019 will help correct this, building on the positive reviews for 2018's "Elektra" and last year’s lavish, 5 album, boxset / re-issue of debut album "Always Now" via LTM

Section 25, are one of the 'Factory' bands who aren't Joy Division/New Order or Happy Mondays... while these acts tend to be the ones first name checked, the aforementioned label wouldn't be as celebrated if it wasn't for the 'other' bands such as Stockholm Monsters, A Certain Ratio, Durutti Column, Northside, or, indeed Section 25

It's hard to give a 'brief introduction' as the story of the band has so many twists and turns, triumph and tragedy over a period of 40 plus years...

Brothers Vin and Larry Cassidy formed the band in Poulton Le Fylde, near Blackpool in 1977 along with Paul Wiggan. They were fans of 'Kraftwerk', 'Can' and 'Neu!' alongside disco; they began dabbling in electronic music at a similar time as pre Sully/Catherall Human League, Public Image Ltd and Joy Division (their debut single, 'Girls Don't Count' produced by Ian Curtis and Rob Gretton)

The 1st album, the previously mentioned 'Always Now' was recorded in early 1981 but delayed until the Autumn due to the most the ambitious and expensive sleeve/packaging Peter Saville ever designed for the label which made it difference to market abroad

The 3rd album, 'From The Hip' was released in 1984 and marked a change of direction after line-up changes see Vin and Larry's sister join the band as well as Larry's wife Jenny. The lead track from this album, with its ethereal female vocals 'Looking From A Hilltop' (produced by Bernard Sumner) became a club hit... for casual fans this is possibly the most familiar track in the catalogue as it's often been used to represent the band on compilations

Vin left during the recording of the 4th album (recorded in 1986 but not released until 1988)

Sadly Jenny passed away following a battle with cancer in 2004.

The band then reformed and have changed line several times since 2006, sadly losing founding brother, Larry following a blood clot in 2010, continuing to release new material.

In 2016 there was an unexpected boost in bands profile when rapper Kanye West sampled the song ‘Hit’ (a paean to the then recent murder of John Lennon) from ‘Always Now’ for the outro of his 2016 track ‘FML’ (a favour later returned as Section 25 covered this on 'Elektra')



2018’s 'Elektra' featured the line-up of Vin Cassidy, Bethany Cassidy (Larry's daughter), Jo Cassidy, Michael Cassidy and long-time collaborator Steven Stringer with guest guitar by the band's original guitarist Paul Wiggin. 

It’s possibly the most 'mainstream' (is that a dirty word?) that the band have ever got despite there being a mix of styles. The songs wouldn't sound out of place on movie soundtracks or daytime radio, from the opening 'Laid Back', the uplifting 'The Greatest Thing' and 'euro-rock' 'You Want Some'

Worth checking out, it's a seriously great album.

But that's not what we're here for...

For 'Duette' rather than 'Section 25' as a band, this is Vin and Steve as a live project running alongside the parent group (sometimes called ‘S25 Industrial Unit')



Although many of the tracks performed on this release date back to the early 1980's the arrangements of more than 50% of the album actually take their lead from revisiting/reimagining done on the 2010 release 'Retrofit' (sadly Larry Cassidy's last work).

'Wretch' for example sounds like a sibling of 'Working Men’s Club's' celebrated single 'Teeth' (which itself was compared to a mix of early New Order and Public Image)

The gig gets off to a storming start with 'Be Brave' with Vin's vocals, opposed to Larry's suiting the more aggressive and electronic sound before leading into 'Girls Don't Count'

Next up is 'Hit', never a mainstay of the bands set previously. I feel it does jar a bit following the opening tracks and slows things down abruptly but it does lead nicely into 'Melt Close'.

After this the performance picks up the uptempo electro-pop of 'Beating Heart'

'You Don't Have to Be Liked to be Loved' takes an interesting departure from the recorded version which was sung by Bethany on the previous album. Rather than a gentle sway it's now got a big danceable beat and groove that wouldn't have sounded out of place in the Hacienda in it's prime.

This leads nicely into the final 3 tracks which leave the performance / album on a high and the audience / listener wanting more.

The previously mentioned 'Wretch' leads into long time firm favourite, the unrelenting and driving 'Dirty Disco' before climaxing with an euphoric version of 'Looking From A Hilltop' 

The closing track could easily be doubled in length beyond the 6 minutes 17 seconds it is here, especially as it feels it's going to kick in again just as it ends.

With male vocals on the track it's transformed into something akin to 'Underworld'. That's not meant as criticism at all... in my mind when listening to it I'm imagining Vin and Steve performing on the Main Stage at Glastonbury, just as the sun is setting and lasers firing out over 50000 people dancing along

Which brings me back to my opening point...

Unlike many bands and artists of their generation, or since, Section 25 are still creating new and innovative material, developing and adapting as they go

I'd recommend 'Duette' as a great introduction to the band if you're unfamiliar, and an opportunity to reacquaint yourself if you already were

__________________________________


A Brief Interview with Vin Cassidy

Do you think that Section 25 have been more influential than they are given credit for?

Yes absolutely, we have never had the real credit but that is something I definitely do not worry about these days. 

Were you influenced at all by the likes of Chemical Brothers, Underworld etc to do  the ‘S25 Industrial Unit’ project

No not in the least , it was something that came from within in a quite basic way . I had not worked like this for some time and for me the time felt right.

Was there a deliberate attempt when making ‘Elektra’ to make it more accessible/mainstream?

It was not deliberate, more just a result of the type of mix of people working on the project.

Did Kanye sampling ‘Hit’ change things for you? Has it changed the way you make music?

No not really, but the money has been useful in re-mastering material and in terms of studio time etc.

What have you been listening to during lockdown?

There has been a real return to my early listening, a return to less complicated stuff of my youth I suppose, maybe because when you are young things appear black and white  .....maybe I crave that certainty in these fucked up times ....not sure what that is about or why but I have been listening to a lot of firsts like ''Piper At The Gates Of Dawn'' and ''Are You Experienced ?'' as well as Hawkwinds ''Doremi Fasol Latido'' , they were the first band I really saw live at age 13.

What’s next for Section 25?

Hopefully gigs later on in 2020 or more probably in 2021 . Also some new recordings for the new streamlined fighting unit that is Section 25 now.

Iain Key 2020

40 Years.... Remembering Ian Curtis (2020)

Last night I should have been at the Apollo Theatre, Manchester watching Peter Hook & The Light performing the songs of Joy Division in recognition / memory / celebration of Ian Curtis who committed suicide on the evening of Saturday 18th May 1980 aged just 23 years old 

The tickets had gone on sale over a year ago, it was sold out well in advance, but sadly in the current climate there was no way it could have gone ahead. The gig has been rescheduled for January 2021, which is fine, but I imagine it may not have quite the same emotional weight it would had it taken place as planned 

 That said, the surviving members of Joy Division have pulled out the stops to ensure that their singer and friend is remembered and the fans have an opportunity to mark this landmark anniversary this week.

Peter Hook is streaming a previously unseen gig filmed in front of an audience of 500 on the 35th Anniversary where he and his band played every Joy Division song 'officially' released 

That's on from Monday 18th 12:00 (UK Time) for 24 hours via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXmOfbv6KTva9ZDJCHgaBHA (apologies if you're reading this after midday on 19th May, although a DVD https://liveherenow.co.uk/products/peter-hook-the-light-so-this-is-permanent-dvd will be available in the next couple of months!) 

Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris are in conversation, accompanied by Dave Haslam, 
and have a number of 'guests' between 20:00 and 22:00 on Monday evening via https://blog.size.co.uk/2020/05/15/united-we-stream-gm-headstock-presents-moving-through-the-silence/ 

Both events are raising money / taking donations for charity, Peter for epilepsy, Bernard and Stephen for Mental Health, two causes which are extremely worthy. 

 ______________________ 

(Permission pending from owner of photo)

Last weekend a series of photographs appeared on Social Media of Joy Division which had previously been unseen. These had been taken at the Hope and Anchor in London on 27th December 1978. 

Only 30 people had attended the bands first gig in the capital city, and the group were still 6 months away from releasing their seminal debut album, 'Unknown Pleasures' and had yet to release a single on Factory Records. 

It was that night though that (without sounding overly dramatic) everything changed, on the way home Ian had his first epileptic seizure... just as the bands profile, popularity and plaudits were beginning to rise, the health of the singer began to decline

The story of Joy Division has been told in two dramatised films, '24 Hour Party People' and 'Control' as well as Grant Gee's supurb documentary film, 'Joy Division'. 

Many books have also been written, the best probably being 'This Searing Light, the Sun and Everything Else: Joy Division: The Oral History' by Jon Savage, which takes you on a journey from the perspective of the band and those around them. Debbie Curtis's 'Touching From A Distance' is also a must).... 

All of these are worth searching out, although I suspect most people reading this blog will be familiar and have searched out and spent many hours watching and reading the above as well as the published essays from Paul Morley as well as the biography by Tony Wilson's first wife, Lindsay Reade, soaking up every detail revealed. 

When I first 'discovered' Joy Division in the mid 1980's, with the special edition cassette of 'Still' (to which I was disappointed to find there was no 'Love Will Tear Us Apart anywhere to be heard), other than the music the only things available were a single book, 'An Ideal For Living' which contained a handful of photos (mainly taken by Kevin Cummins, Anton Corbijn or Paul Slattery) and a 'low quality' video 'Here Are The Young Men'... 

Information was limited, the Internet didn't exist and 'New Order' weren't always forward about giving interviews or talking about their past.I spent hours talking to older colleagues who had seen the band or hanging around in Manchester's Underground Market or Corn Exchange searching out bootleg recordings of gigs, Peel Sessions, and demos to try and put pieces together of 'the jigsaw'. 

For those seeing those pictures for the first time last week, like me, there was a sense of wonder. Just when you think there is nothing more to see, something else revealed... on this occasion nearly 42 years later. 

 This is probably, partly, why my love of Joy Division has endured, unlike today where you can open an app on your phone and download every recording commercially available, I was made to work for it. 

Peter Saville's iconic sleeves offered no information other than title, catalogue number and the name of Factory Records. Often the official recordings would be in and out of print (the gorgeous 'Atmosphere' specifically). 

The various releases weren't even all on the same label!

Like many I'd sit and try and decipher the lyrics, playing tapes over and over to understand the subject matter. Even now, 'Closer,' with the benefit of hindsight and understanding of the situation is extremely powerful, with Ian Curtis bearing his soul for all to hear... and the lyrics for 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' seem beyond anything someone only 22/23 should have experienced never mind articulate. 

Over the years with compilations, box sets, biographies and the aforementioned films the story of Joy Division is no longer a secret, however for many of a certain age it was passed down almost as folk lore, a little being revealed at the time... but for those who are unaware, a whistle-stop tour... 

• Formed after seeing the Sex Pistols at the Free Trade Hall by Bernard and Peter 
• Joined by Ian and completed by Stephen on drums 
• Christened Stiff Kittens but changed name to Warsaw before their first gig 
• Originally quite generically 'punky' 
• First release on vinyl on Virgin Records 10" EP recorded on the last weekend of Manchesters 'Electric Circus' venue 
• Band record initial. self funded, 4 track EP in December 1977
• It's released in on a 7" single with poor sound quality in June 1978 
• Due to 'the name' and imagery accused of Nazi connotations/leanings 
• Taken under the wing of manager (and DJ at Rafters) Rob Gretton 
• Re-release debut EP on 12" 
• Record a debut album for RCA Records but buy tapes back as not happy with outcome 
• Appear on 'Granada Reports' performing 'Shadowplay' 
• Sign for Factory Records Team up with 'genius' producer Martin Hannett 
• Gig often while still holding down day jobs 
• Ian develops epilepsy Gigs continue 
• Record / release 'Unknown Pleasures' with iconic sleeve by Peter Saville 
• Adored by press and fans alike, Bernard and Hooky don't like it 
• Appear on BBC2's 'Something Else' performing 'She's Lost Control' and 'Transmission' 
• Gigs continue including a tour with Buzzcocks 
• Band take first trips to Europe Ian meets / starts platonic affair with Belgian Embassy worker and gig promoter Annik Honore 
• Band turn 'professional' and give up day jobs 
• Ian's illness worsens 
• Second album 'Closer’ recorded
• Band choose picture of a mausoleum for the cover 
• Ian struggling with mental health, married since 1975, a young daughter and a 'lover' 
• Ian doesn't like the album that's been recorded 
• Gigs continue 
• Suicide attempted 
• A riot ensues at 'Derby Hall', Bury when Ian is released from hospital but others are used to stand in Around 300 people attend the bands final gig on 2nd May 1980 
• Ian Curtis commits suicide the day before the band were due to fly to America 
• Single 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' released in June 1980 reaching No 13 in the Charts (probably would have been higher if it had not been for a strike in the Media meaning some music shows were cancelled) 
• Album 'Closer' released in July peaks at No 6 

All that in the space of 4 years, but worth bearing in mind the first London gig was December 1978, the debut album wasn't released until June 1979... within a year... well you know... you've read this far (hopefully). 

Even typing/reading that, it is an incredible story and honestly, given the speed of events, the tragedy unfolding at the time that the 'success' was starting to happen; one which you could potentially dismiss as 'far fetched' ... but here in the North West of England it happened... 

Despite what you may think now, with Peter Saville's imagery visible in the media, the bands name plastered on more T-Shirt's than you can count around all corners of the word they were never 'a big band'. Only around 300 attended their final gig, their biggest 'home town' gig in their own right saw them attract a crowd around 900 a couple of weeks before... 

Never achieving 'Chart Success' while a functioning band, 'Unknown Pleasures' only sold 15,000 copies in its first 6 months and didn't threaten the 'Top 75 albums' until after the posthumous 'Closer' had been a 'hit' the following year.

Despite this, maybe in some part because of the mythology surrounding the band the legacy has grown year on year with the influence in popular media, culture and music is there for all to see. (Further reading https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/18/the-eternal-influence-of-joy-division-moby-killers-jon-savage-zia-anger) 

It's often been said that U2 picked up the ball and became the band that Joy Division should have been. It's easy to speculate but I'm not sure that things would have gone that far, even if Ian had lived... 

The fact remains the story of Joy Division has a start, a middle and an abrupt end, and what a story it is. 

40 years after the abrupt, possibly cruel, possibly selfish 'full stop' those involved who are still with us are making sure that Ian's short life is celebrated 40 years after he left us and using the opportunity to benefit things which, if had been better developed and more understood at the time could have lead to a different outcome but now can make a difference to people. 


Iain Key 2020

Factory United - A Chat With Fiona Allen (2020)

Until a few days ago this ‘piece’ had been meant to go onto another blog/website however that is currently on hiatus...

To be honest the article was ‘in draft’ for some time and it had gone through various revisions but now having it finished and nowhere for it to go it felt wrong...

So in the spirit of of the individuals mentioned within I got off my arse and created this blog so there would be somewhere to ‘put it out’ (because that’s what they would have done!)

That was 48 hours ago...

Factory United – A Chat with Fiona Allen

In Manchester at least  the blue side have been much derided over this season with their use of the 'Hacienda Strips' as part of their away kit

Even as a lifelong United fan and attendee over 30 years I can respect what they've done as a homage and mark of respect to the likes of late Rob Gretton (died 15.05.99), manager of Joy Division and New Order, one of the founding members of Factory Records and the key driver behind the Hacienda…

Also, to Mike Pickering, legendary Hacienda DJ, leader of M People, respected A&R man (without whom the careers of Happy Mondays, James could have been very different)

The influence which Rob and Mike have had on the culture of Manchester is without question and is most likely to have touched, in some way, anyone reading this whether they realise it or not

So I guess fair play to Manchester City for their tribute/acknowledgment, Rob and Mike deserve it

For those of a certain age, the heady years of the late 80’s and early 90’s may be beginning to blur a little. It is easy to mix the heyday of 'Madchester' with the rampant success and dominance during Fergie’s time however this isn't strictly true.

The roots of Madchester can first be seen and heard around 1987 when Little Hulton's finest (and United fans) introduced 'E' to the city, helping turn football hooligans from gangs looking to fight to groups looking to party. The story of the drugs, guns and gangsters taking over and then falling apart have often been told so it's not worth repeating here.

One thing that is not often discussed, and some Manchester United fans may not be aware, is that it was the red side of Manchester who were the first to be linked to fashion long before there was a new 'leisure wear' line to accompany the replica shirts featuring the Adidas or Nike logo

On Thursday 17th May 1990, as the 'Madchester' scene was peaking (Happy Mondays 'biggest' hit 'Step On' was in the Top 20), United were seeing their first flourishes of success with an FA Cup replay victory against Crystal Palace which led to a period of domination unlikely to be ever repeated in English Football

Around this time, Factory Records employee, front of house at the Hacienda, future Corrie and EastEnders Actress and Award-Winning Comedienne, Fiona Allen had the idea to use her Factory credentials to bring the worlds of football, music, and fashion together

How did you get involved with United?

I was a United fan, and a Bolton Wanders fan (sorry!) Tony Wilson was obviously a massive Man United fan and we'd often get a load of tickets to all the games, generally, in the stands but sometimes we'd get a box. I used to look at their merchandise, but it wasn’t really to our taste, it wasn't very Factory, so we come up with the idea to make something of our own. Merchandise even then was tied up in knots, but I managed, with some perseverance, by talking and pushing the people at United, explaining that it was going to be uber cool, it wasn't going to cross markets or probably even make any money, it was just a creative thing using the emblem and a statement. No one was going to 'get it' unless they were a music fan and a United fan, so people buying the other merchandise wouldn't want to touch it anyway

They were brilliant t-shirts

How many shirts were there?

Three in the end. There was one with the United emblem and Factory logo, another which had 'Are You Man U' plastered on the front and another with 'the Saint' which was a stick man one

Did you design them?

Yes, our graphic designer listened to the brief, designs were created and once decided on the T-shirt’s were sent off for print. We bought good T-shirt’s. They were really thick cotton. Cost a bit more but they were well made.

Everyone really loved them. 

You wouldn't be able to do anything like that now with the branding rights and kit sponsors etc

No, at the time merchandise wasn't as considered, I went round the shop and everything was shiny nylon, I didn't like it at all. It was big, but nowhere near as big as now. I do remember going back to Tony after a visit and saying, 'there was a really lovely old guy there with a cap on'... and that was Sir Matt Busby! I'm so uncool!

The T-shirts were very tastefully done, great quality, they were a really nice product, very subtle, other than the 'Are You Man U' one... it was a typical Factory thing to do

It was an idea I had, I went to Wilson and said, 'I think we should have a shop' ... he asked why and I said, 'because we've got loads of stuff to sell’.

I suggested we had a clothing label... it was going to be so smart, but we just didn't have the money. We all sat around with the designers, it was a mix of 'Paul Smith' and 'Comme Des Garçons' it would have been a very blokey thing, but I loved them...

While sadly the fashion label didn't come to be (although you could argue that the Donnelly Brothers filled this gap via Gio Goi) 

Fiona did take up a vacant slot at Afflecks Palace to open the 'Factory Shop' as an outlet for various pieces of merchandise and releases generated by the label, as well as those Factory/United T-shirts.

John Cooper of Cerysmatic had previously interviewed Fiona about ‘The Area’... that interview can be found at... https://factoryrecords.org/cerysmatic/sc5-absence-of-the-object-becomes-presence-you-can-feel.php