The British post-punk formation The Durutti Column was founded in 1978 in Manchester by Vini Reilly (guitar, piano, composition). The band name goes back to the Spanish anarchist Buenaventura Durruti, only that one wrote his name wrong; whether accidentally or intentionally, is not known.

The Guitar And Other Machines was the band's sixth studio album. It appeared in 1987 at the trunk label Factory Records. Its founder Tony Wilson was decisively involved in the Album  by laying a Christmas tree Reilly Christmas 1985 under Christmas tree. The motivated Reilly to compose new songs. These were produced by Stephen Street (The Smiths; Morrissey). The recordings included Bruce Mitchell (drums) and John Metcalfe (viola).