Factory.

They were post-modern, before it was fashionable. They were the image of a movement; of something fresh and lush. They created so many things in the music world, and somewhat inserted there affuence even into the American music scene, but more or less, it rised up to change the face of British music. My usual readers, if there even are any, probably won't get too much what i'm talking about at the moment, but you should probably read more..

Factory Records, was born out the ferosity of rise of punk music, classic punk in the musically changing late 70s. Tony Wilson, the mastermind came to pour his heart and soul into the this new movement of music and art if you will. He formed a partnership with 4 others, but definitly as equally important (not grammarly correct, but who gives a crap about it?). Alan Erasmas, a good friend of Wilson and was the first to get on board with new idea, but he's not the highest public profile but understood the confidence Wilson had. Next we have Rob Gretton, manager to the label's first band, the uber-godly Joy Division, who would later become New Order. Martin Hannett, the label's legendary producer, who produced almost everyone on the label, and produced a sound that would not only give to Factory's image, but revolusionary in music producing. And finally, there was Peter Saville, the label's graphic designer who had designed everything from the posters, to album covers, to club tickets to just about everything.

In 1981, Factory reached an early peak with the rise of the post-punk movement with bands on their lineup, such as Joy Division, the Duruti Column, A Certain Ratio, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. But of course, all good things come to an end. Just before their first American tour, Ian Curtis, their legendary lead man, hanged himself at his home. The death caused everything but the spirit of Factory (if your curious about it, go see the movie Control). Out of the ashes of Joy Division, came New Order. Nobody expected anything out them, but in turn they became one of the greatest musical bands to come out of Britain, and ultimately the flagship for Factory. But was just the first act in this story.

In late 1981, Fac 51, aka The Hacienda, opened with lukewarm attendence. But evenually warms up to the public. Slowly, with the rise Acid House music and in the mist of the Madchester genre, the Happy Mondays became the second biggest band in the scene (everyone knows the Stone Roses were the better band) had a sound with rock and funk that eventually caught on and became quite contagous all over the UK. Sadly, both the club and their biggest bands were the cause of Factory's demise, as they were critically acclaim, but never made so much of a profit. Factory ended in '97, but their legend still lives on as the flagship for the freedom of individuality, pursuing dreams, and other huge blah. Factory shall live on.