This page is no longer updated.

All news will now appear in the Silver Factory Superblog.

Feel free to browse the old news though.

November 2006

ACOUSTIC 2

Marks 30min acoustic set at Junktion 7 last month was received extremely well with numerous offers put to him (some music related). One included a possible support for Captain Dangerous, not for an acoustic set though but a full on synth performance.

BLOG

There is now a blog available for your reading pleasure. Entitled Silver Factory Superblog it contains an insight into the life of founding SFS member Mark Johnson. This is the first time Mark has put his ramblings and thoughts down for us all to read. 

The blog is written and edited by Mark himself. Just click the link.

DATE CHANGE

Due to unforeseen circumstances SFS appearance at Dream Sequence has now been moved from April to May 3rd 2007.

More details to follow. 

October 2006

ACOUSTIC

A brief but informative update.

SFS have been asked to play at the Captain Dangerous video shoot party. This will be an acoustic outing, so don't expect a full on electro set. 

Mark has been rehearsing hard all week with fellow musician Mark Lilley and have come up with an acoustic extravaganza. Details below (click flyer).

ELECTRO

As well as the above gig SFS will also be playing as part of  EJ Norman's Dream Sequence night. This will take place April 07 but the night officially opens in February. 

Click banner for details.

July 2006

ROCKABILLY SUPERSTAR

As well as trying to organize some UK gigs Mark thought he would have a go at writing a rockabilly song. Yes we thought it was strange too, but after the initial laughter we are very intrigued and can't wait to hear it.

FILM MAKER

Mark is also at the moment heavily involved in producing a documentary for midlands band Captain Dangerous. The documentary is due to be available in the autumn to coincide with the release of the Pullfocus media produced promo video 'My fit girlfriend'. 

Captain Dangerous Link

Pullfocus link

Captain Dangerous photos taken by Mark (SFS)  

Set 1  Set 2

April 2006

CD RELEASED

After about 5 years in the making the Stephen Duffy Tribute CD has finally been released by cantunes. The album called 'One Day One Of These Fans Will Change Your Life', features a wealth of talented artists including your favourite, Silver Factory Superstars.

Click the Pic to purchase your copy.

March 2006

ITS BACK

After a lengthy absence the Silver Factory Superstore is back. 

There are loads of new items including T-shirts, bags, badges, mugs and something for the ladies.

BACK IN REHAB

Mark Lilley's track 'Rehab' has been mixed and is awaiting its inclusion on his second album. SFS have heard the finished song and were very pleased with how this co -production sounded.

PREPARATION

Silver Factory Superstars are currently putting the finishing touches to their latest live set.

80% of the programming is finished and Mark is also in the process of sorting out venues and organising rehearsals.

Keep checking back.

WEB SLINGING

Silver Factory Superstars have put up a new song called Still Love for your listening pleasure on their sister sites.

November/December 2005

CHRISTMAS LAMENT

Well Mark has been very busy through November and December.

First of all he as been working on two songs he wrote in the nineties called 'Still Love' & 'Falling'. The music is finished and just requires vocals which Mark will complete once he can get rid of his cold. 

With Christmas just around the corner Mark has been working on a seasonal project for his close friends and family. So if you are fortunate enough to be regarded as a close friend look out for the postie towards the end of December.

REHAB 

Mark Lilley one of Silver Factory Superstars close friends  and  occasional SFS member popped into Pullfocus Studios during November  to programme the drums for a track on his up and coming album Picture without a frame.

The song 'Rehab' is another synth pop classic which now has a bit of the Mark Johnson production magic sprinkled on it (if it is only the drums). 

Lilley describes Rehab: "The song is out to shock (and it will) but like the best kisses, it's tongue in cheek.  Every work needs light and shade and REHAB is lurking in the shadows...suspense...BOO!!!! "

Mark (SFS) told us " This song is great, i have only heard a rough mix and guide vocal but once Lilley puts Amy's vocal on as well as his own, it will be fantastic.  The sessions took about a day on and off to complete over a two week period and at the end of it we both sat back in our chairs, grinned from ear to ear and thought this is f-ing cool."

Rehab session November 2005

Photo Courtesy of  Mark Lilley (c)2005

August 2005

NEW SONGS

Since the last update Mark has been busy in the studio writing new songs and revisiting old ones in preparation for a small tour in July 06 (if all goes to plan).

The 2 new songs are called ‘Alive with you’ and  ‘Planetary Solitude’, both songs have taken SFS back to their synthpop roots with extreme electro gusto.

BACK TO THE LILLEY PAD

Recently Mark was seen at one of Mark Lilley’s album2 recording sessions. The SFS front man was said to be there in a advisory capacity, as well as taking a few snap shots for Lilley’s website.

The session’s main aim was to record the female vocals for the song ‘Far out man’ which where being sung by Amy Metcalfe.

JUNE 2005

PIRATES E.P

One of the remixes Mark did of the song 'Goodbye' for Canadian band Brittlestar is now available from Cantunes. Be quick there is only a limited amount.

AS PROMISED

In April we mentioned we would have merchandise to offer.

For the first time ever we give you the chance to get your hands on the Silver Factory Superstars badge.

Just drop us line here and we will send you one. 

APRIL 2005

STATE OF THE ART - UPDATE

After a lot of hard work the remix of Mark Lilley’s seminal track ‘State of the art’ is finished.

Due to the untraditional tempo and structure of the original, it took Mark (SFS) a while to get a feel for the song in order to know which direction to take it .

 It wasn’t until he was reassembling Amy’s vocal track that he picked up on the idea of using her sultry, sexy, trouser dropping words “London / Paris / Italy” as the major hooks for his remix.

The final result is an 80’s style orchestral club classic that will make you want to dig out your frilly shirt, make up, hairspray and start a New Romantic revolution.

With any luck the Silver Factory Superstars Remix should appear on Lilley’s next album (although there are unconfirmed rumours there could be single).

SOMETHING TO WET YOUR APPETITES

Check back next month for info on SFS latest merchandise. 

(WARNING: it’s not that exciting).

MARCH 2005

LETS COMMUNICATE

As you have probably noticed we now have a mailing list and a guestbook.  

Please sign up, It’s free.

Its good to talk

STATE OF THE ART

Mark has now been commissioned to remix Mark Lilley’s new track ‘State of the art’. The track has been totally reinvented for the 21^st century form its conception in the 90’s and takes Lilley back to his synthpop roots.

January 2005

BRITTLESTAR REMIX

The remix of Brittlestar's'  'Goodbye' is now complete and will be available through Brittlestars website very soon.

The album is in E-shops now and is highly recommended. For more details click the logos.

OCTOBER 2004

BRITTLESTAR REMIX 

 SFS are now in the process of doing their first remix commission for Canadian based band 'Brittlestar'.

The song entitled Goodbye has  (as far as we are aware) not been released yet . For more info on the band click on the logo. 

GLOBAL LILLEY

Just to let you know that Mark Lilley (musician & friend of the band) is at  the moment in the middle of promotion and live appearances for his well received debut album. Keep a look out in the press.

The album is now available all over the world from Reveal Records.

AUGUST 2004

PHEW

Well what a few months, Pullfocus studio has had to relocate again & the PC at the heart of the studio got hit by lightning, Mark's had a crisis of creative confidence, England were knocked out of  Euro2004, Paula Radcliffe bowed out of the Olympics in tears, Stephen Loynds is going back to school, UK is a natural disaster zone, Mandy's beating Tony, Robbie Williams has made Stephen Duffy a pop God, Goldfrapp are the new Yazoo, Spiderman2 was cool, Catwoman wasn't, Mark became an Uncle and the Baby cakes novelty record hits number one .

THE OPENING TITLES

At Last it is here, Mark Lilley's first solo album.

Click the album sleeve for more info.

JOHNNY, REMEMBER ME

The new SFS single is now available through this web site, just click the sleeve and drop us a line.

There is only a limited number available and they are priced at £3.99.

TRACK LISTING

1. Clean version 

2. SFS Extended mix 

3. Single mix 

4. Remix 

5. Ambient mix

THE FUTURE

At the moment Mark is in discussions with Mark Lilley with the view to a possible pop collaboration. If this happens then we could see some new material before Christmas (Duffy /Williams beware).

MAY 2004

ALL CHANGE

It has been a while since the last update, so grab your self a drink, sit back, kick off your shoes and relax.

Late November saw the dismantle and relocation of the bands 'Pullfocus' studio. This took about three months to complete as the festive holidays interrupted much of the transformation. Since the rebuild Mark has found it hard to write and record in this new environment and has a result has only written one song, for which the lyrics still need to be completed. 

On the plus side and as a way to jump start the creative juices, Mark has recorded a version of the 1964 Jim Leyton hit 'Johnny, remember me'. This will hopefully be included in the long awaited covers album and might even be available as a single through this site.

As of yet there are no live dates organized but as we all know by now the Silver Factory Superstars are not what you would call a touring band but they are thinking about  playing some time soon.

SYNTH COVERED DREAMS

The album is finished and the art work is ready for the printers and all that's needed now is the right financial deal to see through to completion. This could take a while, so please be patient.

GIGS

Since our last update the band have attended quite a few gigs some average, some inspiring and some quite strange. Here is the lowdown:

Stereophonics / Ian Brown

Dandy Warhols

Bluetones

Alfie

Funeral For A Friend / Franz Ferdinand / The Von Bondies / The Rapture

Air

Fionn Reagan

The Webb Brothers / The Magic Numbers     / The Honeymoon

Scissor Sisters

Duran Duran

Mohair

ESCAPE FROM THE LILLEY PAD

Towards the end of May Mark will be lending his professional ears to the mastering of Mark Lilley's first solo album. This album has been ten years in the making and has seen Lilley go through a roller coaster of emotions, in his private life, the recording of the album and musical career. Recorded at Meadow Farm Studio and Mark Lilley's own Lilley Pad studio this album will definitely show depth, growth and humility.

Click here to check out more.

NEXT

With the summer looming and the festivals beckoning Mark will be trying to fight through the writers block, catch some rays, drink ice cold lagers and perhaps attempt to finish the covers album.

Keep checking back.

SEPTEMBER 2003

SNEAK PREVIEW

To celebrate the fact we have now gone dot com, I have put two new tracks on the site which  will appear on the forthcoming album ' Synth covered dreams'.

IN MY LIFE                                                                    TONIGHTREMIX03

JULY 2003

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

June 12th saw the bands first performance as a three piece when they appeared at Nottingham's Junktion 7 as part of the Sunglasses@night evening.

This synth base evening was kicked off with The Vector Lovers doing what they do best to a reasonable sized crowd, who in turn responded with a polyphonic ripple.

After a short DJ set Silver Factory Superstars took to the stage and made the evening their own.

All the synth pop freaks there, took the band to the hearts, sang/danced to the covers and  gave the original songs a healthy feed back.

As a result SFS have been asked to do a second night in the Autumn.

AN OPEN BOOK

The Stephen Duffy tribute album is all but finished and the record company have confirmed that Stephen as supplied a track for inclusion.

 The albums title will be ' An open book: Interpretations of the Music of Stephen Duffy and the Lilac Time .

Keep checking back.

 THE PRESENT

Mark is now focusing again on completing his album of cover versions, which still has at least five tracks to be recorded.

There are also a few new songs which Mark has been working on for his new album of original material, which he hopes to start recording early 2004.

MAY 2003

SFS LIVE

Well its that time again for the Silver Factory Superstars to tread the synth boards again. 12th June is the date Junktion 7, Nottingham the place. SFS will be playing live as part of the bi-monthly Sunglasses@night alongside www.iwari.com signing Vector Lovers.

Hopefully this will be the first gig to feature all the Superstars plus all the usual sugar coated synth doodlings.

Look forward to seeing you there .

DUFFY TRIBUTE UPDATE.

Pop renaissance records have informed us that they are still waiting for the last couple of  songs to come in but the album should be out by the end of the year. It is also rumored that Stephen Duffy himself will contribute a song for inclusion.

NEW ALBUM

After much speculation we can confirm that Mark is putting together the much anticipated covers album. Mark has been toying with the idea for sometime and has been recording songs in SFS down time.

The album has a working title of 'Elephants & Anoraks' and should be completed by autumn. It will feature songs originally done by Electrasy Depeche Mode, Electronic, Starsailor, Erasure,   and many more.

TRIBUTE ALBUM

News has been a bit sparse of late in the land of the Silver Factory Superstars. After a well earned rest the band went into the studio over Christmas to record the vocals and mix a track they have done for an upcoming Stephen Duffy tribute album (due out mid 2003). 

The track is two songs (Galaxy & The world records her every thought) linked together with a dynamic string section. Mark sings the lead vocal as normal and for the first time Stephen Loynds ventures into the world of the performer, providing the track with an alternative vocal slant.

The instrumentation and music was recorded at Marks home studio and the vocal / mix was done at Meadow Farm Studio, engineered by Mark Lilley.

Keep checking back for when the album is available and for the 2003 live dates.

 Design by Pullfocus design (C) 2002,2003,2004,2005,2006.