Penetration + The Distractions review

16 November 2017

The Distractions' tenth 'Live' show (yes, we're counting 2015's Jon The Postman tribute night at the Tiger Lounge) was a triumph here in support of punk legends, Penetration, and after local band, Three Day Weekend. The large crowd at Preston's brilliant venue, The Continental, was admittedly mainly here for Pauline Murray and Co., but the reception after a tight Distractions set full of energy was terrific.  

Soundcheck

Kicking off with tracks from the debut EP, Maybe It's Love and Too Young, a strong set of 45-minutes plus included all the favourites, Nothing, (Untitled), Stuck In A Fantasy, It Doesn't Bother Me, Something For The WeekendStill It Doesn't Ring and Waiting For Lorraine. Mike briefly missing his line just seemed like part of the show!


Plenty of the knowledgeable punk crowd seemed familiar with Time Goes By Slow, and the now standard closer, the stunning reworking of Adrian Wright's Nothing Lasts, brought the show to and end. It earned a tremendous and well-deserved reception from the crowd, as well as the lively Distractions fans down the front.


Penetration need no introduction or review from us - just check the glowing reviews they are receiving during the current '40 Years' UK tour! The set from Pauline and the band, and the huge, loud and loving crowd, crowned what was surely the best night for the new Distractions Live line-up yet.


There was plenty of positive feedback on the night and we have had more since via social media:

  • "Great set gents. Good to see a band happy in their work. My first intro to you last night. Will be investing in your music."
  • "Really enjoyed seeing & hearing you for the first time last night. I'll definitely look out for you again."
  • "We really enjoyed seeing you in Preston and will definitely come and see you again. I will be hunting down a copy of the first album."
  • "Really enjoyed your set."
  • "Well done Distractions. Best gig so far!"
  • "@DistractionsMcr superb again."

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Next up is a return to Stockport at the Spinning Top on Friday 1st December. Then, the one that many have been waiting for, The Distractions Live in London - at the famous Dublin Castle in Camden on Saturday 27th January 2018.

Back to Stockport

11 November 2017

The Distractions Live return to the venue where they played a homecoming show in summer, the Spinning Top in Stockport. This cracking venue is close to Stockport station, and several of the town's best pubs, on Wellington Road South. The gig is on Friday 1st December, entry is free, plus support comes from The Trend's Mark Revell, so see you there!


Friday 1st Dec – THE DISTRACTIONS + support from MARK ‘REV’ REVELL (front man from THE TREND & ex ICICLE WORKS)

Welcoming back The Distractions after their great gig in the summer!

The Distractions were around in the late '70s and early '80s and were well known in Manchester and beyond on the post-punk music scene and released records on the TJM, Factory, Island and Rough Trade labels. They played with Joy Division, The Fall, The Members, Stiff Little Fingers, Squeeze and many others as well as touring the UK and Ireland as well as doing gigs in New York before splitting up.

About a year ago two of the original members, Alex on drums and vocalist Mike Finney, got together with some friends after being asked to play at a memorial gig for a huge fan of the band, Manchester punk legend, Jon The Postman. It went down so well and they had such a great time they thought it would be a good idea to continue as a live act performing the singles and the great songs from the album.


After extensive rehearsals and finalising the line-up they have been playing headline gigs since the beginning of 2017 as well as supporting bands such as Eton Crop, The Flamin' Groovies and Penetration. In January 2018 they will be playing the iconic London venue The Dublin Castle, which gave a start to bands such as Oasis, Madness and Amy Winehouse, as well as several major festivals next summer.

The Distractions are attracting a new generation of fans who appreciate classic songs and storming live sets!

They have a major retrospective box set, Age + Geography, on the ‘Hidden Masters’ label coming out soon.

Check out the band’s Music Glue page for lots more information, videos and downloadable tracks: www.musicglue.com/thedistractions.


They are: Mike Finney (lead vocals)

Joe Brehoney (bass)

Johnny Poole (guitar)

Chris Dutton (guitar)

Alex Sidebottom (drums/percussion)