The band for the '80s

Here's a piece at Cerysmatic Factory from an unknown issue of City Fun on The Distractions by Martin X (Heywood).  The article is about a yet-to-be-determined Distractions gig with support coming from label-mates X-O-Dus (who, like The Distractions, are back and performing in their home town - they played superbly last night at the Band On The Wall in Manchester):

The Distractions are fresh out of the studio, having completed work on their first L.P.  As is common in such cases, this attracts the usual mish-mash of press representatives, fashionably dressed people who know or care little for the music but manage to stay chic in all weathers, social climbers, and those who like to see and be seen.  Still, this is the fault of neither the band nor Mr Dickinson, the jet-set, it seems like the poor, are always with is and don’t really detract from the enjoyment.

First on are Exodus, possibly the most underrated Reggae band in the country, not, as I've said before, I don't claim to know a great deal about the subject, the sooner someone who DOES takes the time to write in, the sooner we'll be able to give bands like Exodus the coverage they deserve.  Manager Mr Dunlop's movement of Ja People seemed very impressive, if the size of the supporters' entourage is anything to go by, Exodus must be highly regarded in Reggae circles.  Now with a single out on Factory, which I HAVE listened too and DID appreciate, and getting radio play, apparently the lout Peel thinks it's great as well, so there ye go.  Come on all you Lee Perry impersonators, let's have a full-size Exodus feature/interview.

THE DISTRACTIONS, ah, the Distractions.

This is the one band for the Eighties.  Sure, lots of bands have been to the States, and I’m not detracting from that for one minute, but they’ve all been a kind of cult thing (which suits us “fans” down to the ground) but it don’t pay the bills (ask the Buzzcocks).  Listen a minute, I happened to see the Beatles at the same stage in their career (ad the Apollo, as it happens, and I’m here to tell you that the Beatles were NOWHERE AS GOOD AS THE DISTRACTIONS at a comparable stage).  I have no intention of writing up this gig, I don’t intend to emulate the nationals, I don’t need to do it, you don’t need to read it, I’m going to do an article about the Distractions.

Martin X