That was 2013

The Distractions are mentioned in two of the best music books of 2013. In what must have been a popular Christmas present for anyone with interest in music, Manchester or Manchester music, Morrissey's autobiography mentions The Distractions' female bass player, Pip Nicholls. The full passage is about Linder from Ludus (of whom future Distractions, Arthur Kadmon, was a guitarist) and The Fall (who were founded by The Distractions' now label-mate and gig-mate, Martin Bramah).

 (c) Morrissey at Amazon.

"In the exploding Manchester scene, she was the only female, and although she fought fire with sword to render the unreceptive receptive, she is overlooked. The music scene of Manchester is a dark thread of maleness. The Fall have a keyboard player who is female, the Distractions have a bass player who is female, but Linder walks the line alone as the hunter of non-permitted dreams."

In an equally fine book released earlier this year, Tracey Thorn recalls her fondness for Time Goes By So Slow, at Christmas 34 years ago:

(c) Tracey Thorn at Amazon.

It's Christmas 1979, and you can tell Ade and I are the perfect post-punk romantic couple - he gives me The Cure single, and I give him 'Time Goes By So Slow' by The Distractions. I also get London Calling by The Clash, the Mekons LP and a book by Leonard Cohen."

2014 will see The Distractions' own book (of sorts) being published as part of the forthcoming 'Parabolically Yours' set. We aim to bring you news of that very, very soon in the new year.