Factory Records

Factory Records was a highly influential record label that played a significant role in the development of post-punk and new wave music in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with notable bands such as Joy Division, New Order, and The Happy Mondays. The label was known for its innovative approach to music production, marketing, and distribution, often collaborating with Martin Hannett, a renowned record producer. Factory Records was also closely associated with the Haçienda nightclub, a popular music venue in Manchester that hosted performances by The Smiths, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and other prominent bands of the time. The label's legacy can be seen in the work of later bands such as Oasis, The Stone Roses, and Primal Scream, who were all influenced by the Madchester scene.

● History

The history of Factory Records is closely tied to the development of the post-punk movement in the late 1970s, with bands such as The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Damned paving the way for the label's success. Factory Records was founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson, Alan Erasmus, and Rob Gretton, who were all involved in the Manchester music scene, often attending concerts at the Free Trade Hall and the Manchester Apollo. The label's early releases included music by Joy Division, A Certain Ratio, and The Durutti Column, all of whom were associated with the Factory Records scene. The label's innovative approach to music production and marketing was influenced by the work of Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, and David Bowie, who were all experimenting with new sounds and styles at the time. Factory Records also collaborated with other notable labels, such as Rough Trade Records and Mute Records, to release music by bands such as The Fall, Cabaret Voltaire, and Wire.

● Founders and key people

The founders of Factory Records, Tony Wilson, Alan Erasmus, and Rob Gretton, were all key figures in the development of the label, often working closely with bands such as New Order, The Happy Mondays, and James. Tony Wilson was a well-known music journalist and television presenter, who had worked on programs such as Granada Reports and So It Goes. Alan Erasmus was a graphic designer who had worked on the design of the label's early releases, often incorporating the work of Peter Saville, a renowned graphic designer. Rob Gretton was the manager of Joy Division and later New Order, and played a significant role in the development of the label's roster, often working with other notable managers such as Joe Boyd and Brian Epstein. Other key people involved with the label included Martin Hannett, who produced many of the label's early releases, and John Cooper Clarke, who was a frequent performer at the Haçienda nightclub.

● Artists

Factory Records was home to a diverse range of artists, including Joy Division, New Order, The Happy Mondays, and James. The label also released music by A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, all of whom were associated with the post-punk and new wave movements. Other notable artists who released music on the label included Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and The Fall, who were all influenced by the Madchester scene. Factory Records also collaborated with other notable labels, such as Rough Trade Records and Mute Records, to release music by bands such as The Smiths, Depeche Mode, and The Cure. The label's roster also included Electronic, a supergroup formed by Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr, who had previously worked with New Order and The Smiths.

● Discography

The discography of Factory Records is extensive, with releases by a wide range of artists, including Joy Division, New Order, and The Happy Mondays. Some of the label's most notable releases include Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures and Closer, New Order's Movement and Power, Corruption & Lies, and The Happy Mondays' Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out). The label also released a number of compilation albums, including A Factory Sample and Palatine, which featured music by a range of artists associated with the label. Factory Records also collaborated with other notable labels, such as Rough Trade Records and Mute Records, to release music by bands such as The Fall, Cabaret Voltaire, and Wire. The label's discography also includes releases by A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, all of whom were associated with the post-punk and new wave movements.

● Legacy

The legacy of Factory Records can be seen in the work of later bands such as Oasis, The Stone Roses, and Primal Scream, who were all influenced by the Madchester scene. The label's innovative approach to music production, marketing, and distribution has also been widely influential, with many later labels, such as Creation Records and Heavenly Recordings, drawing on the label's example. Factory Records has also been the subject of a number of books, films, and documentaries, including 24 Hour Party People and Joy Division, which have helped to cement the label's place in music history. The label's influence can also be seen in the work of other notable bands, such as The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys, and The Killers, who have all been influenced by the post-punk and new wave movements. Category:Record labels