Durutti Column
The Durutti Column featuring Vini Reilly, a classically-trained pianist and virtuoso guitarist, took their name from Spanish revolutionary Buenaventura Durruti and the cartoon of Two Situationist Cowboys in the comic Le Retour De La Colonne Durutti (1966). Centred around Reilly, the then five-piece band recorded the first ever music release on Factory Records. And to this day remain as innovative and elusive as ever.
But whilst Vini is the constant, legendary Manchester musician, nay institution, Bruce Mitchell (ex-Alberto Y Trios Lost Paranoias) has been the drummer since the seminal album LC (1981). A succession of other guests has augmented the line-up over the years, notably John Metcalfe (The Duke Quartet), Tim Kellett (Olive, Simply Red) and Keir Stewart (Durutti producer and more since 1997).
As previously stated, Factory Records released the band’s debut album The Return of The Durutti Column in 1979. Produced by Martin Hannett, this edgy, primitive LP showcased Vini Reilly’s ‘honey wrapped in sandpaper’ guitar playing and set the tone for nearly 30 years of meditative and fearless music. Reilly has drawn on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, ambient and heavy metal; experimented with samplers and chamber music, and collaborated with other Manchester luminaries such as Morrissey and Peter Hook from New Order.
For more information, please visit The Durutti Column official website: http://thedurutticolumn.com/
