Shadowplayers: The Rise & Fall of Factory Records

by James Nice

Based on both archives and contemporary sources, this is the full story of Factory's heroic struggles; its complex web of inventive, idiosyncratic, and tragic personalities; and ultimately, the acclaimed and much-loved music it produced

 

In 1978, when a "Factory for Sale" sign gave Alan Erasmus and Tony Wilson a name for their fledgling Manchester club night, they couldn't have known it would be the launch of one of the most significant musical and cultural legacies of the late 20th century. The club's electrifying live scene soon translated to vinyl, and Factory Records went on to become the most innovative and celebrated record label of the next 30 years. Factory introduced the listening public to bands such as Joy Division, whose Unknown Pleasures was the label's first album release, New Order, Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays. Propelled onwards by cultural entrepreneur Tony Wilson, Factory always sought new ways to energize the popular consciousness, such as the infamous Hacienda nightclub, which enjoyed a checkered 15-year history after opening in 1982. Factory's reputation as a cultural hub was also bolstered by its fierce commitment to its own visual identity, achieved through the iconic sleeve designs and campaigning artwork of Peter Saville. However, the lofty reputation of Factory's artistic ventures only sporadically translated into commercial success, and when London Records pulled out of a 1992 takeover bid because of the absence of contracts, the fate of Factory Communications Ltd. was sealed. But the label's downfall has done nothing to quell interest in the Factory legend, as films such as 24-Hour Party People and Control attest. Despite this perennial interest, the definitive, authentic story of Factory Records has never been told until now. This is the most complete, authoritative, and thoroughly researched account of how a group of provincial anarchists and entrepreneurs saw off bankers, journalists, and gun-toting gangsters to create the most influential record label of modern times.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Tom Boniface-Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most in-depth and detailed book about the legendary Factory Records and the Manchester music scene of the seventies, eighties and nineties that surrounded it, that it is possible to get.

For the indie music nerd, this book is a must, filled as it is with stats about bands been signed, chart placings, record sales figures, money earned and spent, and anything in between.

I thought I might find this book a bit much, but literally couldn't put it down.

Ask me anything about Factory Records! Go on!

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, detailed read about Factory Records

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you needed to know about Factory Records but were too afraid to ask. A comprehensive and entertaining retrospective of the legendary record company which wasn't. Many books are available on the subject, none better than this. James Nice writes with sensitivity and objectivity never succumbing to the 'I was there' egotism of many other biographers of this era and an organisation which meant so much to so many but which was perhaps doomed to failure from the outset.
Avoiding the glib '24 hour party people' cliches, rather we are taken through 14 years of struggle by the the acts, the management and their associates to make sense of, and make money in, an industry that not only pitted them against the rest but frequently against each other. What shines through the narrative is the unswerving belief held by the likes of Rob Gretton, Alan Erasmus and Tony Wilson that the musicians and their work mattered and that what they were creating together was greater than the sum of its parts: An Ideal for Living.
Their legacy is the bizarrely eclectic Factory catalogue and a generation of people whose lives were touched by the Factory roster and the music it produced.
A tale of incompetence and genius, naivety and chutzpah, brilliance and bullshit. Musicians, art directors, producers, managers, journalists and Manchester itself all play their part in an authoritative exploration of one of the most significant record labels in the history of British music.

[Steve Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Nice has written the most comprehensive book ever on the history of Factory Records, loaded with detail, maybe overloaded at times as the minutiae get in the way of a proper overview. It is a real treat for any fan of Durutti Column, Joy Division, Crispy Ambulance, A Certain Ratio, Quando Quango, Section 25, James, New Order, Happy Mondays and all the rest of the gang. Stick this on your shelf with Mick Middles' own incisive 1990s history now out in a revised edition. Nice was an insider in part of the period of this history and knows where the bodies are buried. A rich popular cultural history, riveting for all us fans, and well worth reading.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive history of Factory Records and a very good read. Both funny and irreverent, while at the same time teaching you everything you could ever want to know about the subject matter. You can't help but feel that the author, having run LTM recordings since the early eighties, is just the man for the task.

The only nit-pick I can think of, and it is a minor one, is that I would personally have loved a comprehensive discography at the end of each chapter. As it is, I had to put the book down now and again in order to head over to the computer to look up second-hand vinyl prices on discogs.com.

[Stuart Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good, very good - painstakingly, exhaustively complete, and a must-read for music obsessives of a certain age. But a jolly page-turner it isn't - the striving for objectivity and chronological accuracy can make it feel like a book of lists at times. Many music books are ruined by the author insisting on inserting themselves into the narrative - it is admirable that here, the content has an almost academic rigour, but I found myself wishing the author had allowed at least a tiny part of his own personality into the writing. Fascinating but less than engaging.

[Connaire Demain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read, and one that doesn't pull it's punches when it comes to the many many myths that have grew up around Factory. Also points out quite how bad some of the stuff was.

So it went, so it goes.

[Liz Dahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is recommended if you're interested in the history of Factory Records or any of the Factory bands (New Order, Joy Division, etc). It's a dense but quick read, suitable for a music geek like myself.

[Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una muy buena investigación sobre Factory y sus productos conexos. Si les gusta o interesa la música de los '80, es una buena oportunidad para tener mejor conocimientos de las corrientes sociales y musicales de ese momento.

[Pete Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got into the Madchester thing in 89/90 and although I was never a Factory die hard it was great to get the background story. It's filled with great characters and is as much about the independent music scene as it is Factory

[Martin Raybould · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitive study of a Utopian vision gone wrong; a fascinating and thoroughly researched account that takes you from Post Punk to Madchester. With a complete lack of business know how or financial control, the wonder was that the dream lasted 14 years.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a labor of love... long, dense, very detailed, but chock full of interesting stories and profiles. And quite funny at times, too.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever written. Four hundred plus pages of Factory Records minutiae...yes, please.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history lesson, a nostalgia trip and a damn good read.