The Distractions
Template:Infobox musical artist 2 The Distractions were a punk rock/new wave band from Manchester, England.
History
The band was originally formed in 1975 by college friends Mike Finney (vocals) and Steve Perrin (guitar).[1] The band changed tack with the advent of punk in 1977 and Finney and Perrin recruited a new line-up of Pip Nicholls (bass), Adrian Wright (guitar), and Alec Sidebottom (drums, formerly of The Purple Gang), now mixing punk rock with sixties influences.[1][2] They shared bills with the likes of Buzzcocks, Magazine and Joy Division, and their debut EP, You're Not Going Out Dressed Like That, released in 1979, led to a deal with Factory Records, who released the follow-up, "Time Goes By So Slow".[2][3] In a 1979 newsletter, Tony Wilson described the band: "Reminds the management of AustinTexas 66, but take your choice".[4] The band had already signed a deal with Island Records in September 1979, before the Factory single was released, according to Wilson "due to irresistable desire to play the game".[4] An album and a few more singles followed, but the band failed to break into the top 40 despite favourable reviews[5]. Shortly after the album's release Perrin quit the band to be replaced by former Ludus guitarist, Arthur Kadmon. The group disbanded in 1981.[1][2] Finney went on to work with the Secret Seven and the Art of Noise. Kadmon played briefly with The Fall. Sidebottom leads the Republic of Swing samba band.
Discography
Singles/EPs
- You're Not Going Out Dressed Like That EP (1979) TJM
- "Time Goes By So Slow" / "Pillow Fight" (1979) Factory
- "It Doesn't Bother Me" (1980) Island
- "Boys Cry" (1980) Island
- "Something For The Weekend" (1980) Island
- 24 Hours EP (1981) That (UK indie #47)[6]
Albums
- Nobody's Perfect (1980) Island
References
- ^ a b c Larkin, Colin (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music. Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-579-4.
- ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
- ^ "The Distractions". Ian Curtis and Joy Division Fans Club. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help) - ^ a b "Factory Records newsletter and shareholder's analysis September 1979 part 2". Manchester District Music Archive. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help) - ^ "Cerysmatic Factory > The Distractions > NME 12 December 1987". Cerysmatic Factory. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help) - ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.