View source for Factory Records

{{Short description|British record label}}
{{Redirect|The Factory (music venue)|the later arts venue|The Factory (Manchester)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox record label
| name        = Factory Records
| image       = Factory_Records_Logo.svg
| founded     = {{start date and age|1978}}
| founder     = {{plainlist|
* [[Alan Erasmus]]
* [[Rob Gretton]]
* [[Martin Hannett]]
* [[Tony Wilson]]
}}
| status      = Defunct
| defunct     = {{end date and age|1992}}
| distributor = {{Nowrap|[[Pinnacle Distribution ]](in the UK)<Br/>[[Warner Records]] (in the US)<Br/>[[WEA International]] (worldwide)<Br/>[[Rhino Entertainment]] (Reissues)<Br/>[[Virgin Music Label & Artist Services]] (select)}}
| genre       = [[Post-punk]], [[alternative dance]]
| country     = United Kingdom
| location    = [[Manchester]]
| url         =
}}
'''Factory Records''' was a [[Manchester]]-based British [[independent record label]] founded in 1978 by [[Tony Wilson]] and [[Alan Erasmus]].

The label featured several important acts on its roster, including [[Joy Division]], [[New Order (band)|New Order]], [[A Certain Ratio]], [[the Durutti Column]], [[Happy Mondays]], [[Northside (band)|Northside]], and (briefly) [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]] and [[James (band)|James]]. Factory also ran [[The Haçienda]] nightclub, in partnership with New Order.

Factory Records used a creative team (most notably record producer [[Martin Hannett]] and graphic designer [[Peter Saville (graphic designer)|Peter Saville]]) which gave the label and the artists recording for it a particular sound and image. The label employed [[Factory Records catalogue|a unique cataloguing system]] that gave a number not just to its musical releases, but also to various other related miscellany, including artwork, films, living beings, and even Wilson's own coffin.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lynskey |first1=Dorian |title=A fitting headstone for Tony Wilson's grave |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/26/fitting-headstone-tony-wilson-grave |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

==History==
==='The Factory'===
The Factory name was first used for a club in May 1978; the first Factory night was on the 26 May 1978.<ref name=FactoryNight>{{cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/46236/1/eight-objects-that-tell-the-story-of-factory-records/|title=Eight objects that tell the story of Factory Records' early days|last=Charlton|first=Matt|date=27 September 2019|access-date=19 February 2020}}</ref> The club became a Manchester legend in its own right, being known variously as the Russell Club, Caribbean Club, PSV (Public Service Vehicles) Club (so titled as it was originally a social club for bus drivers<ref name=FactoryClub>{{cite web|url=https://britishculturearchive.co.uk/2018/05/27/no-place-like-hulme-20-images-of-hulme-in-the-1970s-80s-90s/|title=No Place Like Hulme|last=Wright|first=Paul|date=27 May 2018|website=British Culture Archive|access-date=4 February 2020|archive-date=4 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204031315/https://britishculturearchive.co.uk/2018/05/27/no-place-like-hulme-20-images-of-hulme-in-the-1970s-80s-90s/|url-status=dead}}</ref> who worked from the nearby depot) and 'The Factory'.<ref name=RussellClub>{{cite web|url=https://www.mdmarchive.co.uk/tag/7098/Factory_Club_(see_also_Russell_Club)|title=The Russell Club|website=Manchester Digital Music Archive}}</ref> The 'Factory' night at The Russell Club was launched by Alan Erasmus, Tony Wilson, and helped by promoter Alan Wise. As well as attracting numerous touring bands to the area and many upcoming [[post punk]] bands,<ref name=RussellClub /> it featured local bands including [[the Durutti Column]] (managed at the time by Erasmus and Wilson), [[Cabaret Voltaire (band)|Cabaret Voltaire]] from [[Sheffield]] and [[Joy Division]].<ref name=FAC251 /> The club was demolished in 2001.<ref name=RussellClubDemolition>{{cite web|url=https://www.mdmarchive.co.uk/artefact/1891/PSV_PHOTOGRAPH_2001|title=Artefact|website=Manchester Digital Music Archive|date=5 June 2007|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref> The club was located on the NE corner of the now demolished [[Hulme Crescents]] development,<ref name=HulmeCrescentsAerialPhoto>{{cite web|url=https://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/gone/crescents.html|title=The Hulme Crescents|website=Manchester History|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref> on the corner of Royce Rd and Clayburn St ({{Coord|53|28|04.5|N|2|15|00.2|W}}). [[Peter Saville (artist)|Peter Saville]] designed advertising for the club, and in September Factory released an EP of music by acts who had played at the club (the Durutti Column, Joy Division, Cabaret Voltaire and comedian [[John Dowie (humourist)|John Dowie]]) called ''[[A Factory Sample]]''.<ref name="dazeddigital/46236">{{cite web |title=Eight objects that tell the story of Factory Records' early days |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/46236/1/eight-objects-that-tell-the-story-of-factory-records |website=Dazed |access-date=21 August 2023 |language=en |date=27 September 2019}}</ref>

===1978 and 1979===
As a follow-on from the successful 'Factory Nights' held at the Russell Club, Factory Records made their first release, ''[[A Factory Sample]]'', in January 1979.<ref name=FAC251>{{cite web |url=http://www.factorymanchester.com/about-us/ |title=FAC251 Factory Manchester |website=Factory Manchester |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129080238/http://www.factorymanchester.com/about-us/ |archive-date=29 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="NME13082015">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/why-the-legacy-of-factory-records-boss-tony-wilson-can-still-be-felt-today-756877|title=Why The Legacy Of Factory Records Boss Tony Wilson Can Still Be Felt Today|last=Nicolson|first=Barry|date=13 August 2015|work=NME|access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref> At that time there was a punk label in Manchester called Rabid Records, run by Tosh Ryan and [[Martin Hannett]]. It had several successful acts, including [[Slaughter & the Dogs]] (whose tour manager was [[Rob Gretton]]), [[John Cooper Clarke]], and [[Graham Fellows|Jilted John]]. After his seminal TV series ''[[So It Goes (TV series)|So It Goes]]'', Tony Wilson was interested in the way Rabid Records ran, and was convinced that the real money and power were in album sales. With a lot of discussion, Tony Wilson, Rob Gretton and Alan Erasmus set up Factory Records, with Martin Hannett from Rabid.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McDonald|first1=Heather|title=Factory Records Profile|url=http://www.factoryrecords.net/|website=Factory Records|access-date=29 August 2015}}</ref>

In 1978, Wilson compered the [[New wave music|new wave]] afternoon at [[Deeply Vale Festivals|Deeply Vale Festival]]. This was actually the fourth live appearance by the fledgling [[Durutti Column]] and that afternoon Wilson also introduced an appearance (very early in their career) by [[The Fall (band)|the Fall]], featuring [[Mark E. Smith]] and [[Marc Riley|Marc "Lard" Riley]] on bass guitar.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greene|first1=Jo-Ann|title=Live At Deeply Vale Review|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-deeply-vale-mw0000207004|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=29 August 2015}}</ref>

[[File:86palatineroad.jpg|thumb|left|The first Factory Records office, 86 Palatine Road in [[West Didsbury]], Manchester.]] The Factory label set up an office in Erasmus' home on the first floor of 86 Palatine Road ({{Coord|53|25|38.0|N|2|14|06.2|W}}), and the ''Factory Sample'' EP was released on 24 December 1978. Singles followed by [[A Certain Ratio]] (who would stay with the label) and [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]] (who left for [[Virgin Records]] shortly afterwards). The first Factory LP, Joy Division's ''[[Unknown Pleasures]]'', was released in June 1979.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Macauley|first1=Ray|title=Pulsars, Pills, and Post-Punk|url=http://thescienceandentertainmentlab.com/pulsars-pills-and-post-punk-the-design-of-unknown-pleasures/|website=The Science And Entertainment Laboratory|access-date=29 August 2015}}</ref>

===1980s===
In January 1980, ''[[The Return of the Durutti Column]]'' was released, the first in a long series of releases by guitarist [[Vini Reilly]]. In May, Joy Division singer [[Ian Curtis]] committed suicide shortly before a planned tour of the US. The following month saw Joy Division's single "[[Love Will Tear Us Apart]]" reach the UK top twenty, and their second album ''[[Closer (Joy Division album)|Closer]]'' was released the following month. In late 1980, the remaining members of Joy Division decided to continue as [[New Order (band)|New Order]]. Factory branched out, with Factory Benelux being run as an independent label in conjunction with [[Les Disques du Crepuscule]], and Factory US organising distribution for the UK label's releases in America.<ref name="FACorg" />

In 1981, Factory and New Order opened a nightclub and preparations were made to convert a Victorian textile factory near the centre of Manchester, which had lately seen service as a motor boat showroom. Hannett left the label, as he had wanted to open a recording studio instead, and subsequently sued for unpaid royalties (the case was settled out of court in 1984). Saville also quit as a partner due to problems with payments, although he continued to work for Factory. Wilson, Erasmus and Gretton formed Factory Communications Ltd.<ref name="Live4ever">{{cite web|url=http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2009/11/factory-records-the-rise-and-fall-of-uks-legendary-indie-label/|title=Factory Records – The Rise And Fall of UK's Legendary Indie Label|date=22 November 2009|publisher=Live4ever|language=en|access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Hacienda06.jpg|thumb|right|The Haçienda's interior before opening]] [[The Haçienda]] (FAC 51) opened in May 1982.<ref name="thevinylfactory/hacienda-opening">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Ben |title=Not the hippest bunch: Behind the scenes of the Hacienda's opening party |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/photos-hacienda-opening-party/ |website=The Vinyl Factory |access-date=21 August 2023 |date=21 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="flashbak/427621">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Josh |title=Opening Night at The Haçienda: New Order's Manchester Club Begins Its Legendary 15-Year Run in 1982 |url=https://flashbak.com/opening-night-at-the-hacienda-new-orders-manchester-club-begins-its-legendary-15-year-run-in-1982-427621/ |website=Flashbak |access-date=21 August 2023 |date=25 April 2020}}</ref> Although successful in terms of attendance, and attracting a lot of praise for Ben Kelly's interior design, the club lost large amounts of money in its first few years due largely to the low prices charged for entrance and at the bar, which was markedly cheaper than nearby pubs. Adjusting bar prices failed to help matters as crowds were increasingly preferring [[Ecstasy (drug)|ecstasy]] to alcohol by the mid-1980s. Therefore, the Haçienda ended up costing tens of thousands of pounds every month.<ref name="NME13082015" />

In 1983, New Order's "[[Blue Monday (New Order song)|Blue Monday]]" (FAC 73) became an international chart hit.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Le Blanc|first1=Ondine|title=New Order|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/New_Order.aspx|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=29 August 2015}}</ref> However, the label did not make any money from it since the original sleeve, die-cut and designed to look like a floppy disk, was so costly to make that the label lost {{pound sterling|0.05|1983}} on every copy they sold.<ref name="Live4ever" /><ref>{{cite book|author= Matthew Robertson |title= Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album |year= 2007 |publisher= Chronicle Books |location= San Francisco |isbn= 978-0-8118-5642-3 |page= 224}}</ref> Saville noted that nobody at Factory expected "Blue Monday" to be a commercially successful record at all, so nobody expected the cost to be an issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://testpressing.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/design-tony-wilson-peter-saville-in-conversation/|title=Design: Tony Wilson & Peter Saville In Conversation|work=24 Hour Party People DVD commentary|date=10 July 2011|access-date=20 November 2016}}</ref>

[[Happy Mondays]] released their first album in 1985. New Order and Happy Mondays became the most successful bands on the label, bankrolling a host of other projects.<ref name="Live4ever" /> Factory and the Haçienda became a cultural hub of the emerging [[techno music|techno]] and [[acid house]] genres and their amalgamation with post-punk guitar music (the "[[Madchester]]" scene). [[Mick Middles]]' book ''Joy Division to New Order'' published in 1986 by [[Virgin Books]] (later being reprinted under the title ''Factory''). In 1989, the label extended its reach to fringe punk folk outfit To Hell With Burgundy. Factory also opened a bar (The Dry Bar, FAC 201) and a shop (The Area, FAC 281) in the [[Northern Quarter (Manchester)|Northern Quarter]] of Manchester.<ref name="FACorg" />

===1990s===
Factory's headquarters (FAC 251) on Charles Street, near the [[New Broadcasting House, Manchester|Oxford Road BBC building]], were opened in September 1990; prior to this, the company was still registered at Alan Erasmus' flat in [[Didsbury]].{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}

In 1991, Factory suffered two tragedies: the deaths of Martin Hannett and [[Dave Rowbotham]]. Hannett had recently re-established a relationship with the label, working with Happy Mondays, and tributes including a compilation album and a festival were organised. Rowbotham was one of the first musicians signed by the label; he was an original member of the Durutti Column and shared the guitar role with Vini Reilly; he was murdered and his body was found in his flat in [[Burnage]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Larkin, Colin|title=Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music|page= 1274|publisher=Guinness Publications|date= 1995| isbn =1-56159-176-9}}</ref> Saville's association with Factory was now reduced to simply designing for New Order and their solo projects (the band itself was in suspension, with various members recording as [[Electronic (band)|Electronic]], [[Revenge (UK band)|Revenge]] and [[The Other Two (duo)|the Other Two]]).

By 1992, the label's two most successful bands caused the label serious financial trouble. The Happy Mondays were recording their troubled fourth album ''[[Yes Please!]]'' in [[Barbados]], and New Order reportedly spent £400,000 on recording their comeback album ''[[Republic (album)|Republic]]''. [[London Records]] were interested in taking over Factory but the deal fell through when it emerged that, due to Factory's early practice of eschewing contracts, New Order rather than the label owned New Order's back catalogue.<ref name="NME13082015" />

Factory Communications Ltd, the company formed in 1981, declared bankruptcy in November 1992. Many former Factory acts, including New Order, found a new home at London Records.<ref name="NME13082015" />

[[File:Hacienda flats.jpg|thumb|left|The new Haçienda apartments in 2007]]The Haçienda closed in 1997 and the building was demolished shortly afterwards. It was replaced by a modern luxury apartment block in 2003, also called The Haçienda.<ref name="apartment">{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/iconic-manchester-nightclub-the-hacienda-recreated-685476 |title=Iconic Manchester nightclub the Hacienda recreated at Victoria and Albert Museum in London |access-date=2013-09-26|work=Manchester Evening News|date=28 March 2012 }}</ref> In October 2009, [[Peter Hook]] published his book on his time as co-owner of the Haçienda, ''How Not to Run a Club'', and in 2010 he had six bass guitars made using wood from the Haçienda's dancefloor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cerysmaticfactory.info/fac51_the_hacienda_bass_guitar.html |title=FAC 51 The Hacienda Limited Edition Peter Hook Bass Guitar |access-date=20 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225092323/http://cerysmaticfactory.info/fac51_the_hacienda_bass_guitar.html |archive-date=25 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/peter-hooks-gig-with-bass-guitar-902292 |title=Peter Hook's gig with bass guitar made from Hacienda floor |author=Ben Turner |work=manchestereveningnews |date= 12 January 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/10482513.Altrincham_shop_lands_rare_guitar/?ref=rss |title=Altrincham shop lands rare guitar |author=Rick Bowen |work=messengernewspapers.co.uk |date= 13 June 2013}}</ref>

===2000s===
[[File:Anthony H Wilson (8541588505).jpg|thumb|The top of Wilson's gravestone, designed by [[Peter Saville (graphic designer)|Peter Saville]] and [[Ben Kelly (designer)|Ben Kelly]].]]
The 2002 film ''[[24 Hour Party People]]'' is centred on Factory Records, the Haçienda, and the infamous, often unsubstantiated anecdotes and stories surrounding them. Many of the people associated with Factory, including [[Tony Wilson]], have minor parts; the central character, based on Wilson, is played by actor and comedian [[Steve Coogan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274309/ |title=24 Hour Party People (2002) - IMDb |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref>

Anthony Wilson, Factory Records' founder, died on 10 August 2007 at age 57, from complications arising from [[renal cancer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=25201_0_2_0_C |title=Factory Records founder Anthony Wilson dies from cancer |publisher=Side-line.com |date=10 August 2007 |access-date=2013-03-01}}</ref>

[[Colin Sharp]], the Durutti Column singer during 1978 who took part in the ''A Factory Sample'' EP, died on 7 September 2009, after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Although his involvement with Factory was brief, Sharp was an associate for a short while of Martin Hannett and wrote a book called ''Who Killed Martin Hannett'',<ref>{{cite web|author= Staff|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2007/07/10/100707_hannett_sharp_feature.shtml |title= Zeroing in on Martin |publisher= [[BBC Manchester]] |date= 21 December 2007 |access-date= 2 January 2012}}</ref> which upset Hannett's surviving relatives, who stated the book included numerous untruths and fiction. Only months after Sharp's death, [[Larry Cassidy]], [[Section 25 (band)|Section 25]]'s bassist and singer, died of unknown causes, on 27 February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/larry-cassidy-leader-of-the-postpunk-factory-group-section-25-1921454.html|title=The Independent - Obituaries: Larry Cassidy: Leader of the post-punk Factory group Section 25|work=The Independent|date=23 October 2011|access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref>

In early 2010, Peter Hook, in collaboration with the Haçienda's original interior designer Ben Kelly and British audio specialists [[Funktion-One]], renovated and reopened FAC 251 (the former Factory Records headquarters on Charles Street) as a nightclub.<ref name=FAC251 /> The club still holds its original name, FAC 251, but people refer to it as "Factory". Despite Ben Kelly's design influences, [[Peter Hook]] insists, "It's not the Haçienda for fucks {{sic}} sake". The club has a weekly agenda, featuring DJs and live bands of various genres.<ref name=FAC251 />

In May 2010, [[James Nice]], owner of [[LTM Recordings]], published the book ''[[Shadowplayers]]''. The book charts the rise and fall of Factory and offers detailed accounts and information about many key figures involved with the label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/what-manchester-learned-from-the-hacienda-20-years-on-from-its-closure-522683|title=What Manchester learned from The Haçienda - 20 years on|website=Inews.co.uk|date=18 July 2017}}</ref>

===FAC numbers===
{{see also|Factory Records discography}}
Musical releases, and essentially anything closely associated with the label, were given a catalogue number in the form of either 
[http://factoryrecords.org/ FAC], or FACT, followed by a number. FACT was reserved for full-length albums, while FAC was used for both single song releases and many other Factory "productions", including: posters (FAC 1 advertised a club night), The Haçienda (FAC 51), a lawsuit filed against Factory Records by Martin Hannett (FAC 61),<ref>BBC Film: ''Factory: From Joy Division to Happy Mondays''</ref> a hairdressing salon (FAC 98), a broadcast of [[Channel 4]]'s ''[[The Tube (1982 TV series)|The Tube]]'' TV series (FAC 104), customised packing tape (FAC 136), a bucket on a restored watermill (FAC 148), the Haçienda cat (FAC 191), a bet between Wilson and Gretton (FAC 253),<ref name="FAC253">{{cite web|url=http://factoryrecords.org/factory-records/fac-253-chairman-resigns.php|title=Factory Records: FAC 253 Chairman Resigns|language=en|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> a radio advertisement (FAC 294), and a website (FAC 421).<ref name="FAC421">{{cite web|url=http://www.factoryrecords.net/FAC421.jpg|title=Signed FAC 421 confirmation card|last=Wilson|first=Tony|date=21 January 2004|publisher=Factory Communications Ltd|language=en|access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref> Similar numbering was used for compact disc media releases (FACD), CD Video releases (FACDV), [[Factory Benelux discography|Factory Benelux releases]] (FAC BN or FBN), Factory US releases (FACTUS), and Gap Records Australia releases (FACOZ), with many available numbers restricted to record releases and other directly artist-related content.<ref name="FACnet">{{cite web|url=http://www.factoryrecords.net/|title=Factory Records Profile|date=20 March 2010|language=en|access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="FACorg">{{cite web|url=http://www.factoryrecords.org/|title=The Factory Records catalogue|last=Cooper|first=John|date=26 December 2014|publisher=Cerysmatic Design|language=en|access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref>

Numbers were not allocated in strict chronological order; numbers for Joy Division and New Order releases generally ended in 3, 5, or 0 (with most Joy Division and New Order albums featuring multiples of 25), A Certain Ratio and Happy Mondays in 2, and the Durutti Column in 4. Factory Classical releases were 226, 236 and so on.<ref name="FACnet" /><ref name="FACorg" />

Despite the demise of Factory Records in 1992, the catalogue was still active. Additions included the ''[[24 Hour Party People]]'' film (FAC 401), its website (FAC 433) and DVD release (FACDVD 424), and a book, ''Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album'' (FAC 461).<ref name="FACnet" /><ref name="FACorg" />

Even Tony Wilson's coffin received a Factory catalogue number; FAC 501.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dorian Lynskey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/26/fitting-headstone-tony-wilson-grave |title=A fitting headstone for Tony Wilson's grave &#124; Music |work=The Guardian |date= 26 October 2010|access-date=2013-10-12 |location=London}}</ref><ref name="FACorg" />

===Factory Classical===
In 1989, Factory Classical was launched with five albums by composer [[Steve Martland]], the [[Kreisler String Orchestra]], the [[Duke String Quartet]] (which included Durutti Column viola player [[John Metcalfe (composer)|John Metcalfe]]), [[oboe]] player [[Robin Williams (musician)|Robin Williams]] and [[piano|pianist]] [[Rolf Hind]]. Composers included Martland, [[Benjamin Britten]], [[Paul Hindemith]], [[Francis Poulenc]], [[Dmitri Shostakovich]], [[Michael Tippett]], [[György Ligeti]] and [[Elliott Carter]]. Releases continued until 1992, including albums by [[Graham Fitkin]], vocal duo [[Red Byrd]], a recording of [[Erik Satie]]'s ''[[Socrate]]'', [[Piers Adams]] playing [[George Frideric Handel|Handel]]'s [[Recorder (musical instrument)|Recorder]] [[Sonata (music)|Sonata]]s, [[Walter Hus]] and further recordings both of Martland's compositions and of the composer playing [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]].

==Successor labels==
In 1994, Wilson attempted to revive Factory Records, in collaboration with London Records, as "Factory Too". The first release was by Factory stalwarts [[the Durutti Column]]; the other main acts on the label were [[Hopper (band)|Hopper]] and [[Space Monkeys]], and the label gave a UK release to the first album by [[Stephin Merritt]]'s side project [[the 6ths]], ''Wasps' Nests''. A further release ensued: a compilation EP featuring previously unsigned Manchester acts [[East West Coast]], [[the Orch]], [[Italian Love Party]], and [[K-Track]]. This collection of 8 tracks (2 per band) was simply entitled ''A Factory Sample Too'' (FACD2.02). The label was active until the late 1990s, latterly independent of London Records, as was "Factory Once", which organised reissues of Factory material.<ref name="FACorg" />

Wilson founded a short-lived fourth incarnation, F4 Records, in the early 2000s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://factoryrecords.org/f4-records.php|title=Factory Records: F4 Records|website=Factoryrecords.org}}</ref>

In 2012, [[Peter Saville (artist)|Peter Saville]] and [[James Nice]] formed a new company called Factory Records Ltd., in association with Alan Erasmus and Oliver Wilson (son of Tony). This released only a vinyl reissue of ''[[From the Hip (Section 25 album)|From the Hip]]'' by [[Section 25 (band)|Section 25]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cerysmaticfactory.info/2012/05/section-25-fact-90-from-hip-vinyl-issue.html |title=Cerysmatic Factory: Section 25 FACT 90 From The Hip vinyl issue |publisher=News.cerysmaticfactory.info |date=24 May 2012 |access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref> Nice subsequently revived the [[Factory Benelux]] imprint for Factory reissues, and for new recordings by Factory-associated bands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cerysmaticfactory.info/2012/12/a-factory-benelux-story.html |title=Cerysmatic Factory: A Factory Benelux Story |publisher=News.cerysmaticfactory.info |access-date=2013-03-01}}</ref> In 2019, Warner Music Group marked the 40th anniversary of Factory as a record label with a website, exhibition, and select vinyl editions including ''[[Unknown Pleasures]]'' and box set compilation ''Communications 1978-1992''.

==Factory Records recording artists==
The bands with the most numerous releases on Factory Records include [[Joy Division]]/[[New Order (band)|New Order]], [[Happy Mondays]], [[Durutti Column]] and [[A Certain Ratio]]. Each of these bands has between 15 and 30 FAC numbers attributed to their releases.

== Retrospective ==
An exhibition By Colin Gibbins took place celebrating the 20th anniversary of the closing of Factory Records (1978–1992) and its musical output, Colin's collection was displayed at the Ice Plant, Manchester, between 4 and 7 May 2012. The exhibition was called FACTVM (from the Latin for 'deed accomplished').<ref>[http://peterhook.co.uk/#/news/factvm-20th-anniversary-exhibition-factory-records-1978-1992-5th-7th-may-mcr FACTVM 20th Anniversary Exhibition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921154416/http://www.peterhook.co.uk/#/news/factvm-20th-anniversary-exhibition-factory-records-1978-1992-5th-7th-may-mcr |date=21 September 2013 }}, PeterHook.co.uk, 11 April 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-21.</ref><ref>[http://www.cerysmaticfactory.info/factvm_factory_records_1978-1992_exhibition_5-7-may-2012.html FACTVM Factory Records 1978-1992 Exhibition, 5-7 May 2012], Cerysmaticfactory.info. Retrieved 2013-09-21.</ref>

In October 2019, a new box set was released containing both rarities and the label’s releases from its first two years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/various-artists-use-hearing-protection-factory-records-1978-79/ |title=Various Artists Use Hearing Protection: Factory Records 1978-79 |date=2019-10-20 |website=Pitchfork.com |access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref>

From 19 June 2021 until 3 January 2022, Manchester's [[Science and Industry Museum]] hosted an exhibition commemorating Factory Records entitled '''Use Hearing Protection: The early years of Factory Records''<nowiki/>'  Featuring graphic designs by [[Peter Saville (graphic designer)|Peter Saville]], previously unseen items from the Factory archives, and objects loaned from the estates of both Tony Wilson and Rob Gretton, the former manager of [[Joy Division]] and [[New Order (band)|New Order.]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-20|title=Factory records exhibition opens at Manchester's Science and Industry Museum|url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2021-06-20/factory-record-exhibition-open-at-manchesters-science-and-industry-museum|access-date=2021-06-22|website=ITV News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Use Hearing Protection: The early years of Factory Records|url=https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/use-hearing-protection|access-date=2021-06-22|website=Science and Industry Museum|language=en}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=Golden |first1=Audrey |title=I Thought I Heard You Speak: Women at Factory Records |date=4 May 2023 |publisher=Orion |isbn=978-1-3996-0620-2 |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hook |first1=Peter |title=The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club |date=1 October 2009 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-84737-847-7 |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Middles |first1=Mick |title=Factory: The Story of the Record Label |date=11 July 2011 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-7535-4754-0 |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Reade |first1=Lindsay |title=Mr Manchester and the Factory Girl: The Story of Tony and Lindsay Wilson |date=15 August 2016 |publisher=Plexus Publishing |isbn=978-0-85965-875-1 |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Robertson |first1=Matthew |title=Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album |date=2007 |publisher=Thames & Hudson |isbn=978-0-500-28636-4 |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Nice |first1=James |title=Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records |date=2010 |publisher=Aurum |isbn=978-1-84513-540-9 |language=en}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://factoryrecords.org/ John Cooper's Factory catalogue]
* [http://www.factory-overseas.de/ The Factory Overseas releases (Australia. Japan, Canada, etc)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070627004114/http://cerysmaticfactory.info/ Cerysmatic's extensive Factory archive and news site]
* [https://www.oliver-wood.co.uk/factory-records/ Oliver Wood's Factory Graphics page.]
* [http://musicbrainz.org/label/a2faf590-58fc-4e9f-a85b-eaf6dc266317.html Factory on MusicBrainz]

{{Factory Records}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Factory Records| ]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1978]]
[[Category:Record labels disestablished in 1992]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1994]]
[[Category:Re-established companies]]
[[Category:Defunct record labels of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Music in Manchester]]
[[Category:British independent record labels]]
[[Category:Indie rock record labels]]
[[Category:New wave record labels]]
[[Category:Post-punk record labels]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Manchester]]
[[Category:Madchester]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1992 disestablishments in England]]