Gullivers review

24 March 2017

The Distractions Live played their latest gig at Gullivers on Oldham Street in central Manchester (or the Northern Quarter to use modern parlance). Nicely supported by Salford duo, Factory Acts, and their dark electronic ambience, The Distractions Live went down a storm, as the Manchester rain beat down outside.

Jonny Poole (left) and Mike Finney.

The set list was the same as at Dulcimer a few weeks earlier - the whole of the 'You're Not Going Out Dressed Like That' EP (TJM) was played, plus most of the classic Island Records LP 'Nobody's Perfect'. A Distractions gig wouldn't be the same without the Factory Records single 'Time Goes By So Slow', and to finish off, a spectacular version of the Velvet Underground's 'Sweet Jane'. Future gigs will see some more of The Distractions' original repertoire dusted off.

Alex Sidebottom.

Set list:

1. Maybe It's Love
2. Too Young
3. Nothing
4. Louise
5. Leave You To Dream
6. Boys Cry
7. Looking For A Ghost
8. Still It Doesn't Ring
9. Something For The Weekend
10. Waiting For Lorraine
11. (Untitled)
12. Stuck In A Fantasy
13. It Doesn't Bother Me
14. Time Goes By So Slow
15. Valerie
16. Sweet Jane

Chris Dutton (guitar).

Among many highlights was an extraordinary and moving rendition of 'Looking For A Ghost' - this remarkable track has rarely been played live - ever - and this version must be heard to be believed! There were some terrific solos from Jonny, and perfect harmonies from both him and bassist Joe. The band, led by original drummer Alex and with Chris on rhythm guitar, were incredibly tight and energetic. The many rehearsals paid off! And last but never least, Mike has simply never sounded as good as he does today - both in this Live band and on the new Distractions albums. 

Joe Brehony (bass).

There are more Distractions gigs coming up in Ashton-under-Lyne, Whalley Range, Bury and Preston, and the plan is to do many more. Watch this space. The superb photos shown here are courtesy of Susan Ni Sheaghdha of Factory Acts (see their Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Facebook and Twitter pages for details of their new releases).

Gullivers poster

15 March 2017

 

Gullivers gig

9 March 2017

The Distractions Live at Gullivers! Buy tickets here for the 17th March gig.
 

 

“One of the great lost bands of the New Wave era” (Blurt magazine, USA)

The Distractions in the late '70s and early '80s were very well known on the post-punk Manchester music scene. They released records on the TJM, Factory, Island and Rough Trade labels to excellent reviews, as well as sharing bills with Joy Division, The Buzzcocks, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Fall, The Members, Squeeze and many others. They played all corners of the UK and Ireland as well as doing gigs in New York before splitting up.

David Hepworth described their debut album, “Nobody’s Perfect” as, “An enchanting and vaguely disturbing collection of vulnerable pop”.

In 2015 two of the original members, vocalist Mike Finney and drummer Alex, got together with some friends after being asked to play at  a memorial gig for  Manchester punk legend John the Postman. It went down so well they decided to continue as a live act playing their singles as well as songs from the album “Nobody’s Perfect”.

The new line-up continues the Distractions tradition of storming live sets!

“The Distractions use the past rather than get eaten by it”

David Quantick

www.facebook.com/thedistractionsuk

www.thedistractions.co.uk

http://soundsmagazine.co.uk/the-distractions

Introducing... Joe Brehony

Original Distractions, Mike Finney and Alex Sidebottom, are also joined in The Distractions Live, by...

Joe Brehony, bass

Joe Brehony is a long-time friend and associate of The Distractions from the very early days. He played bass with The Things in the early 1980s with John Maher from the Buzzcocks. The Things released a very well received single 'Pieces Of You' which regularly features in the best of Manchester music compilations. The Things are still gigging and have recently released two fantastic EPs. Joe first played with The Distractions Live at Jon the Postman's memorial gig in October 2015. This saw The Things open for "Mike Finney & Alex Sidebottom from The Distractions" at the Tiger Lounge in central Manchester.

Introducing... Chris Dutton

Original Distractions, Mike Finney and Alex Sidebottom, are also joined in The Distractions Live, by...

Chris Dutton, guitar  

Chris is best known for his time as bass player in both Factory Star and Blue Orchids, and as guitarist in Kill Pretty. He played guitar from a very early age before swapping to bass at the age of 11. His path first crossed with The Distractions in August 2012 when both Factory Star and The Distractions played two sell-out gigs at the Kings Arms, Salford, together alongside the June Brides. In 2015 Chris was asked to play bass with Mike Finney and Alex Sidebottom of The Distractions for a memorial gig for the legendary Jon the Postman. Since then Chris has swapped over to play guitar in The Distractions Live!

Introducing... Jonny Poole

Original Distractions, Mike Finney and Alex Sidebottom, are also joined  in The Distractions Live, by...

Jonny Poole, guitar  

In the mid to early 1980s as a young 19 year old, Jonny Poole and Myles Jackson were signed briefly to Factory Records. Their demo, 'Swedish Forest', got them noticed by Lindsey Reade (the first Mrs Tony Wilson and Artists & Repertoire lady at Factory). Eventually 'Yes It Is' was recorded with the late Marcel King on vocals. It was only ever released on white label though. Jonny later fronted his own band, The Gift Shop, and they played the usual Manchester haunts - The International, The Boardwalk etc. Mick Middles compared them to  "Manchester's late, lamented, The Distractions", no less!

Dulcimer set list

6 March 2017

Here's the set list from Saturday, packed full of classics from 'You're Not Going Out Dressed Like That' and 'Nobody's Perfect'!

1. Maybe It's Love
2. Too Young
3. Nothing
4. Louise
5. Leave You To Dream
6. Boys Cry
7. Looking For A Ghost
8. Still It Doesn't Ring
9. Something For The Weekend
10. Waiting For Lorraine
11. (Untitled)
12. Stuck In A Fantasy
13. It Doesn't Bother Me
14. Time Goes By So Slow
15. Valerie
16. ...cover...

Dulcimer gig pictures

5 March 2017

Mike Finney.

Here's a few great shots of The Distractions Live at Dulcimer on Saturday 4th March 2017, courtesy of Yousef Sheikh over at Facebook. 

Alex Sidebottom.

Mike Finney, Chris Dutton (guitar), Joe Brehony (bass).

More details to follow from what was a fantastic evening in South Manchester, in the company of Mike, Alex, Joe, Chris and Jonny.

Gig date change

8 February 2017

The Dulcimer bar in Chorlton have unfortunately double booked the date for The Distractions gig there, despite arranging it in early December last year.

THE DISTRACTIONS WILL NOT BE PLAYING ON SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY.

THE NEW DATE FOR THE GIG IS SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 2017.

Will confirm​ this date before the weekend. Apologies to anyone who cannot make it that date. Not our fault!

The Gullivers gig on Oldham Street in Manchester is still going ahead on Friday 17th March as advertised.

Ticket news

20 December 2016

Tickets for the Gullivers gig on Friday 17th March 2017 are now on sale from See Tickets:

http://www.seetickets.com/event/the-distractions-with-special-guests-factory-acts-/gulliver-s/1054913

Prices are from just £8.80 if you print your own tickets at home. Alternatively, you will be able to pay a tenner on the door, providing tickets don't sell out in advance. 

There is a Facebook page set up for this event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/789948091144542/

Doors to the venue open at 7:30pm, though the main pub is open all day. The support band, fellow locals, Factory Acts, start at 8:30pm. See you there. 

The Saturday 25th February 4th March gig at Dulcimer in Chorlton, with support from Elevator Lady, is simply £5 on the door.

Live in 2017

28 November 2016

Alex Sidebottom has just confirmed that The Distractions will be playing two gigs in Manchester early next year! If they go well then it's hoped that other gigs and festival appearances will follow in the Spring and Summer.

NOTE:  Gig now on Saturday 4th March!

Due to the geographical challenge of Steve Perrin being on the other side of the globe - and Nick Halliwell being at the other end of the country in Devon - the band is made up of original Distractions, Mike Finney and Alex Sidebottom, plus other musicians who are have been steeped in the Manchester tradition for years too (more details to follow).

The band are sounding great in rehearsals, and like last years' brilliant Jon The Postman memorial gig at the Tiger Lounge, the live set will be packed full of classic late '70s and early '80s Distractions tracks (songs from the more recent EPs, LP and new album will be saved for hopeful future gigs when Steve and Nick can make it). 

These gigs are purely for the buzz of playing live and playing Distractions songs again, and of course, to support the forthcoming Parabolically Yours boxed set, which will be packed full of your favourite Distractions tracks and much more.

The first gig is at Dulcimer bar, Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 0AE (opposite Chorlton tram stop) on Saturday 25th February 4th March, and it will be just a fiver entry. 

The second gig is in Manchester city centre at Gullivers pub in the Northern Quarter on Oldham Street, M4 1LW, on Friday 17th March. 

Both these are terrific music venues, with great drinks ranges and are ideally located. Ticket details to follow...