- The Distractions
Infobox musical artist 2
Name = The Distractions
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin =Manchester ,England
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Genre =Punk rock
New Wave
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Years_active = 1975 - 1981
Label = TJM, Factory, Island, That
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URL =
Current_members = Mike Finney
Steve Perrin
Pip Nicholls
Adrian Wright
Alec Sidebottom
Arthur Kadmon
Past_members =The Distractions were a
punk rock /new wave band fromManchester ,England .History
The band was originally formed in 1975 by college friends Mike Finney (vocals) and Steve Perrin (guitar).cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music |year= 1992 |publisher=Guinness Publishing |isbn=0-85112-579-4 ] 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.cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography |year= 1999 |publisher=Canongate |isbn=0-86241-913-1 ] They shared bills with the likes of
Buzzcocks , Magazine andJoy Division , and their debutEP , "You're Not Going Out Dressed Like That", released in 1979, led to a deal withFactory Records , who released the follow-up, "Time Goes By So Slow". [cite web |url=http://www.iancurtis.org/gigs/bands/thedistractions.html |title= The Distractions |accessdaymonth=23 March |accessyear=2008 |author= |year= |month= |work=Ian Curtis and Joy Division Fans Club |publisher= |quote= ] In a 1979 newsletter,Tony Wilson described the band: "Reminds the management of AustinTexas 66, but take your choice".cite web |url=http://domain1085646.sites.fasthosts.com/archive/showartefact.php?bid=290 |title=Factory Records newsletter and shareholder's analysis September 1979 part 2 |accessdaymonth=23 March |accessyear=2008 |author= |year= |month= |work=Manchester District Music Archive |publisher= |quote= ] The band had already signed a deal withIsland Records in September 1979, before the Factory single was released, according to Wilson "due to irresistable desire to play the game". An album and a few more singles followed, but the band failed to break into the top 40 despite favourable reviews. Shortly after the album's release Perrin quit the band to be replaced by former Ludus guitarist, Arthur Kadmon. The group disbanded in 1981. 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. Perrin teaches at the New Zealand School of Music.Discography
ingles/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)cite book |last=Lazell |first=Barry |title=Indie Hits 1980-1999 |year= 1997 |publisher=Cherry Red Books |isbn=0-9517206-9-4 ]Albums
*"Nobody's Perfect" (1980) Island
References
External links
* [http://punkmodpop.free.fr/distractions_pic.htm The Distractions at the Modpoppunk archives]
* [http://punkmodpop.free.fr/distractionsview.htm Steve Perrin interview]
* [http://republicofswing.org.uk Republic of Swing site]
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