Photograph
Alan Adler
1979

Alan Adler became our resident designer and illustrator at TJM while studying at Manchester School of Art. He produced the record label’s posters, singles and LP sleeves. Adler was also the drummer of Manchester's very own Thunderboys and the band occasionally shared our second-floor rehearsal room with Joy Division.

Adler's time with us was formative for his trend-setting work and in interviews with amongst others the Guardian he cited his main inspirations as being the eruption of the Manchester new wave music scene “right under my very feet” and the challenge of trying to generate an equally strong reaction in those around him using a visual image as he could by simply using his drum kit (even though the effect might frankly be that both audiences chose to “run in the opposite direction”). This together with Manchester’s rich textile industry heritage, Edward de Bono’s 1967 book “The Use of Lateral Thinking” and an interest in observing the patterns that emerged when he smashed breakable objects created a diverse and unusual combination of influences that gave Adler’s work rhythm, pattern, movement, concept and an absolute uniqueness which, in turn, made him one of the UK’s most original visual artists.

It is with some pride that we acknowledge our part in the development of Adler’s pioneering visual approach. His images were often described as two-dimensional explosions, almost as if he'd bashed them out with his drumsticks. He was Britain's punkiest visual artist and his work went on to heavily influence the visual style of an era.

Tony Davidson certainly had an eye for talent, something which The Drones, The Distractions, New Order and Simply Red also bear witness to.

TJM Nostalgia.