The Durutti Column Artistfacts

The Durutti Column song list

The Durutti Column Artistfacts

1978-
Vini Reilly Vocals, guitar1978-
Bruce MitchellDrums1981-
Keir StewartBass, keyboards and harmonica1998-
The Durutti Column is an English post-punk band formed in 1978 in Manchester, England. The group is primarily the vehicle for guitarist Vini Reilly, the only consistent member throughout the band's history.
"Durutti Column" is a play on the Durruti Column, a militia during the Spanish Civil War. They were named after the Spanish anarchist leader Buenaventura Durruti.
Vini Reilly is known for his distinctive guitar playing, characterized by a clean, minimalist style, often featuring delicate, reverb-heavy melodies. His style blends elements of classical, jazz, and ambient music.

Reilly often plays with a unique fingerpicking technique and frequently uses delay effects, creating a sound that is both atmospheric and emotive.
The Durutti Column were one of the first acts to be signed to the Factory label, known for its association with bands like Joy Division and New Order.
The original 3,600 sleeves of The Durutti Column's first LP, The Return of the Durutti Column (1980), were made of coarse sandpaper. The idea was to reflect the abrasive nature of the music scene at the time and was inspired by a book by the Situationists, a radical group of French artists and intellectuals.
While not a commercial success, the band developed a dedicated cult following. Bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Ride are often cited as examples of groups heavily influenced by the Durutti Column's ethereal guitar sounds and emphasis on atmosphere.

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