Book launch @ Rough Trade East

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; paperback front cover

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; front cover detail

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; French edition front cover detail

Shadowplayers
James Nice
The Rise and Fall of Factory Records
Foreword by Jon Savage

Details

Hardback

Format: hardback book
Number of pages: 432 pages
Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd
Publication date: 1 June 2010
ISBN-10: 1845135407
ISBN-13: 978-1845135409

Paperback

Format: paperback book
Number of pages: 560 pages
Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd
Publication date: 1 June 2011
ISBN-10: 1845136349
ISBN-13: 978-1845136345

Kindle edition

File Size: 1302 KB
Print Length: 560 pages

Synopsis

In 1978, a 'Factory for Sale' sign gave Alan Erasmus and Tony Wilson a name for their fledgling Manchester club night. This proved to be the launch of one of the most significant musical and cultural legacies of the late twentieth 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 thirty years.

Always breaking new musical ground, Factory introduced the listening public to bands such as Joy Division, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, A Certain Ratio, Section 25, The Durutti Column, Crispy Ambulance and later New Order, James and Happy Mondays - yet its founders' avowed ambition was not chart success but 'a laboratory experiment in popular culture'.

Soundscaped by visionary and troubled producer, Martin 'Zero' Hannett, bolstered by a fierce commitment to its own visual identity, achieved through the iconic sleeve designs and campaigning artwork of Peter Saville, and propelled ever onwards by the inspirational cultural entrepreneur, Tony 'Anthony H.' Wilson, Factory always sought new ways to energise the popular consciousness. Simultaneously a vision and a folly, this restless drive reached its apotheosis in 1982 with the launch of the infamous Haçienda nightclub, a venue which would act as a midwife to the nascent dance culture, but also enjoy a chequered and sometimes violent fifteen-year history.

However, the lofty ideals of Factory's musical and artistic ventures were only sporadically converted into commercial success, and when in 1992 London Records pulled out of a life-saving takeover bid - due to Factory's ideological antipathy to contracts - the fate of Factory Communications Ltd was sealed.

In the years since, the label has become both a legend and a cautionary tale, yet its definitive, authentic story has never been told - until now. Shadowplayers 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, acclaimed and adored music of modern times.

'This book is surely the definitive study of the chaotic, praxis-driven enterprise that was Factory Communications'
- Stephen Morris

'Such a rare thing - really interesting and immensely readable. I learnt a lot!'
- Peter Hook

'Few people can rival his knowledge of the label's history... James Nice is uniquely placed to write the definitive chronicle of Factory Records.'
- Simon Reynolds (author, Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-84)

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; book launch at Rough Trade East

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; book launch at Rough Trade East - James Nice

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; book launch at Rough Trade East - Blurt

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; book launch at Rough Trade East - Peter Saville

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice; book launch at Rough Trade East - an interested customer

Book launch @ Rough Trade East [open invitation]

Aurum Press invite you to the launch of

Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records
by James Nice

on Thursday May 20th 6.30 - 8.30pm

at Rough Trade East Dray Walk
Old Truman Brewery 91 Brick Lane
London E1 6QL

Nearest overground/tube: Liverpool Street or Aldgate East

Original Factory band BLURT will be performing live and there will be DJ support from Tom Moderne--

All are welcome to attend the book launch on 20 May 2010.

Review

There was a good turn-out for the launch of the Factory Records book Shadowplayers on 20 May 2010 at the Rough Trade East record store in the Truman Brewery complex off Brick Lane. Alan Erasmus (who had also made an impromptu appearance @ the Maverik gallery just round the corner the previous evening for Donnelly 24's Lennie Payne launch) had briefly visited before proceedings officially got under way. James Nice made a brief speech before introducing "true Factory originals" Blurt on stage. Dave Gilmour's demonic half-brother and the lads rocked everyone for a 45 minute set. Afterwards, Peter Saville, who had come down specially for the evening from Manchester, said a few words and emphasised what a good book it is.

Those present included Sean, Iain and Bunny, Mark R, Ben Kelly, Gonnie Rietveld and Matthew Robertson.