As the Durutti Column release their first album in 16 years, frontman Vini Reilly, drummer Bruce Mitchell, and producer Keir Stewart answered reader questions about their career, from sandpaper record sleeves to famous fans like Harry Styles.
From street gangs to ethereal music
Reilly revealed that in his youth, he was part of a Manchester street gang, but described it as a different era. 'Gangs then had a different meaning. It was just “their lot” and “our lot”. We’d sling insults at each other. Then you’d play football in the park and realise you were playing with the local thugs.' He added that he once sought out gangsters in Moss Side to end his life, but they didn't harm him. 'I’d had a very happy childhood until my father died when I was doing my O-levels, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the really bad things gave me more than they could ever take.'
The sandpaper sleeve and Joy Division
The band’s debut album, The Return of the Durutti Column, famously had a sandpaper cover. Reilly recalled walking into Factory Records to find Joy Division gluing the sandpaper sheets. 'It was mortifying, so I escaped as quickly as I could.' Mitchell added that Joy Division were paid to do the work while watching porno movies. The sleeves were made from discarded steam train album covers, so peeling back the sandpaper reveals a train image on original editions.
Famous fans and collaborations
Producer Keir Stewart noted that Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) sampled the 1998 track Sing to Me for The Field, leading to a collaboration. Durutti Column has many covert fans, including Stewart Lee, Chris Morris, Max Richter, Richard Ayoade, John Frusciante, Chris Martin, AG Cook, and Caroline Polachek. 'It’s great that Vini’s been able to harvest this recognition in his lifetime, but he keeps it all outside his door,' Stewart said. Reilly responded: 'I’ve never heard of most of these people, but it’s very nice.'
Inventing a genre
Reilly cited guitarist Al Casey, who played with Fats Waller, as an influence. He aimed to create music that defied genre labels. 'When we were trying to get into Canada, the customs guy asked what kind of music we played and I piped up: “Avant garde jazz classical.” It was a joke, but it stuck.'
Tribute show and Harry Styles
Harry Styles cited the Durutti Column as a major influence on his new album, leading to a tribute show at London's Meltdown festival. Mitchell played drums at the event, and a promoter has proposed a UK tour. Reilly said: 'It’s fantastic that they’re doing it, but I couldn’t bear to see it.'
Memories of Ian Curtis
Reilly recalled planning to make music with Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, but keeping it secret to avoid accusations of nepotism. He once answered a phone call from Curtis, who was incoherent and angry. 'When I saw all the pills Ian had been prescribed for epilepsy, I knew he didn’t have a chance,' Reilly said. 'I wasn’t surprised when he killed himself: it’s all there in the songs, but nobody – not even Tony – ever asked him about them.' The song The Missing Boy was written in response, recorded in two takes with Mitchell on piano.
Tony Wilson and Factory Records
Reilly praised Factory boss Tony Wilson as a 'true altruist' who used his mother’s inheritance to fund recordings. The band’s name, misspelled from Spanish anarchist Buenaventura Durruti, was Wilson’s idea. 'He felt that since anarchy was the basis of punk, we should go back to that idea,' Reilly explained.
Working with Morrissey
Reilly described working with Morrissey on Viva Hate as a joy. 'We never stopped laughing,' he said. Mitchell recalled dropping Reilly off at the studio and later picking up Morrissey, who chatted with Reilly like 'two old ladies on Coronation Street.'
The new album Renascent is released via London Records on 31 July.
