FAC Numbers: FAC 2 - A Factory Sample

It's been a bit since I last wrote about FAC numbers.  But yes, I am pressing on.  A Factory Sample, FAC 2, was the first ever release by Factory Records and included Joy Division, Cabaret Voltaire, comedian John Dowie, and the Durutti Column.  The double 7-inch release from Christmas Eve 1978 is probably most well-known for the releases of "Digital" and "Glass" by Joy Division. 

While A Factory Sample was not the first appearance by Joy Division (the An Ideal for Living EP claims that distinction at least as Joy Division), it is more demonstrative of their signature sound.  It also is the first collaboration between producer Martin Hannett and Joy Division (Hannett would go on to produce both Closer and Unknown Pleasures).

Accompanying Joy Division was an early version of the Durutti Column.  You can hear the flashes of Vini Reilly's signature guitar sounds on "No Communication" and "Thin Ice", however it's far cry from his later work in a re-configured Durutti Column.  Two musicians from this incarnation of the band would go on to form Simply Red (famous for "Holding Back the Years" amongst other songs). 

The second part of the compilation included, comedian, John Dowie with two three absurdist tracks: "Acne", "Idiot", and "Hitler's Liver". It also included two tracks by a young experimental group known as Cabaret Voltaire.  They would contribute both "Baader Meinhof" and "Sex in Secret".  Cabaret Voltaire had been previously touring with Joy Division and Tony Wilson, the head of Factory Records, thought they would be an apt inclusion on the compilation.
 
A Factory Sample was generally well received by critics at the time.  It even received airplay from legendary DJ John Peel.  It was the beginning of a long journey for Factory Records.