Is it Friday? Then it must be Factory

Everyone remembers Factory Records. The seminal indie label from the 80s that brought us not only Joy Division and New Order, but also the backbone events of the Madchester era - the Hacienda and the Happy Mondays.

Anyone remember Factory Two? Or whatever the third incarnation was called?

Fast forward to 2005 and Factory founder Tony Wilson is prepping a new label called Factory Four or F4 Records. The label should start trading on 31 January 2005 and the first release, "Realize and Witness" from hip-hop outfit Raw will hit UK record shops in March.

Rumour has it that another previous label stalward of Wilson's, namely Durutti Column, will be among the initial signings for F4.

Which previous Factory imprint this label will emulate is hard to judge, but suffice to say the last two kicks at the can haven't worked out too well.

It'll be interesting to see if the soundtrack for the forthcoming Joy Division movie comes out on F4. I might actually buy that release.

Link: Official Site