Kindly Leave The Stage + Go Dark ordering information.

Occultation Recordings have just announced ordering details for their latest batch of releases, including The Distractions' Kindly Leave The Stage. Of most interest to fans will be the very limited (250 only) deluxe version which features the album on 180g LP and CD, plus the 10" The Distractions Go Dark mini-LP with an insert featuring sleeve-notes by Steve Perrin, a poster and a postcard. These are already selling fast. Click here for full details.

We'll post a video of A few Miles more from the album shortly.

Like buses

The third and final album by The Distractions, 'Kindly Leave The Stage', was mooted last summer, and now it's our pleasure to confirm that not only has the test pressing been cut, but the CDs are now manufactured.

'Kindly Leave The Stage' (YMIR7E1050; LP/CD/DL)

A1. A few Miles more 
A2. Last to leave 
A3. Talking to myself 
A4. What the Night does
A5. The Fire 
B1. Wake up and kiss me goodbye 
B2. Nowhere 
B3. The Connection's dropped again 
B4. Tell them I'm not here 
B5. The End of the Pier

If that's not enough, then how about a test pressing of an exclusive mini-LP that will be available with copies of 'Kindly Leave The Stage' from Occultation Recordings and Fishrider Records? 'The Distractions Go Dark' is a 10" mini-LP comprising alternative versions of tracks from the last two albums. This test pressing will be a rarity as it's actually on 12" vinyl. 

'The Distractions Go Dark' (YMIR7E1051; 10" mini-LP available as part of Deluxe package with 'KLTS')

A1. Last to leave (18-string version)
A2. Nothing lasts 
A3. Skin 
B1. Too late to change (acoustic) 
B2. Girl of the Year (acoustic) 
B3. Wise (acoustic)

Ordering details will be announced by Occultation and Fishrider soon...

New album

Some of the gentlemen linked to the new Distractions album, Kindly Leave The Stage, have revealed a few teasers on the group's final LP.

Occultation Recordings owner and Distractions songwriter and guitarist, Nick Halliwell revealed that the album was mixed, ready for mastering, with a February release date planned:

Then bassist, Arash Torabi, confirmed that the mastering had taken place (and sounded fantastic):

Just last week, Occultation's newest signing, the legendary John Howard, mentioned in this lovely interview that Nick had played him a few of these great new Distractions tracks:

Elsewhere you may have noticed that HiddenMasters have confirmed the release of the Chris Wood Evening Blue set, which brings Parabolically Yours a little step closer...

Leave you to dream

The Manchester District Music Archive has thrown up yet more fascinating Distractions articles from the City Fun fanzine. Here's the first of a number which deal with the ending of The Distraction Mk I:

Distractions in a dream. (c) City Fun/Manchester District Music Archive.

Leave you to dream

The Distractions have now dismissed their management company. As the band's recent press release states, 'The Distractions have awoken from their rock dream'... 'The Distractions are now self-managing'. The immediate results of this move are a stated intention to gig as much as possible and a single to be released, probably on the Rough Trade label, early next year.

Following the band's departure from Island Records an interesting situation has arisen. Bill Stewart, the A&R man who signed The Distractions and also set up the Grace Jones connection has been sacked. In the meantime the two publicity men, who handled The Distractions while they were on Island, are to continue to work for the band free of charge. If The Distractions mean what they say, their time may yet come.

Simply sensational

As we ready ourselves for news of not one but two new Distractions releases (new album and you-know-what), here's a nice little single review by the one and only Mr Middles. Mick wrote so much about the group back in the day, and in more recent times, and this piece comes from the City Fun fanzine in 1979 (via the fantastic Manchester District Music Archive).

RECORD REVIEWS by Mick Middles

A surprisingly superb batch of Mancunian releases here...

THE DISTRACTIONS

'It Doesn't Bother Me!' (Island).

...this is a dreadful chunk of overrated non-active garbage from one of the most boring pop acts of all time. (Just watch those temperatures rise, ha-ha). Please read on 'cos I'm only jesting. This is, in fact one of the finest pop singles of the past three years. Island have succeeded in transforming an old ruby into a new diamond. A light, hollow sound now replaces the perhaps slightly messy approach of the T.J.M. version. Simply sensational and I can't find a fault. I've never known anyone who dislikes The Distractions and THAT is the reason why they are destined to be our city's most successful band since 10cc. I'm sure of it.

Mick Middles, City Fun, 1979.

Nearly Perfect

The news is now out that fans of The Distractions can look forward to two huge releases between now and into 2017. As announced recently, the third and final album, Kindly Leave The Stage, is out next year, while the Parabolically Yours bookset will happen when the stars align.

Here's a nice little preview piece from Fast n Bulbous in a 'Between the Cracks' feature. It rather underplays the contents of Parabolically Yours actually, but then we've already hinted at the incredible amount of material - released, unreleased, live, photos, interviews & more - you can look forward to.

Manchester’s The Distractions formed in 1975 with '60s influences until they were inspired by the Buzzcocks to evolve toward a unique hybrid sound of garage psych, power pop and post-punk. After recording the You’re Not Going Out Dressed Like That EP in 1978, they released the “Time Goes By So Slow” single on Factory records. They had already signed to Island before the single was released, and put out two more singles, “It Doesn’t Bother Me” and “Boys Cry” before releasing Nobody’s Perfect (Island, 1980), a nearly perfect album completely out of fashion and time. Its lack of commercial success lead to the band splitting up in 1981. A box set reissue with the full album and all the singles, Parabolically Yours, will be out sometime early next year on HiddenMasters. The band reunited in 2010 and released The End Of The Pier (Occultation, 2012), and will be releasing a third and final album also next year.

Kindly Leave The Stage

Stephens Doyle and Perrin (right).

Listen here to Steve Perrin's recent appearance on Stephen Doyle's Sonic Diary on Salford City Radio. In this show the first track from the forthcoming third and final album is debuted, and the title of the album is also confirmed as 'Kindly Leave The Stage'. Steve confirms that the slightly delayed 'Parabolically Yours' book set is indeed still happening, and that we might expect it early next year.

www.mixcloud.com/SonicDiary/sonic-diary-306-stephen-perrin-the-distractions 

Also, while discussing the Nick Halliwell remixes of 'Nobody's Perfect', which may or may not feature in PY, the intriguing prospect of some mono tracks from the debut was also raised! There is much more as well, including some choice Antipodean musical delights chosen by Steve. Next up will be links to Steve's Friday night appearance on Mick Middles' show on FAB Radio International.

Mike Finney and Steve Perrin at the end of the pier, June 2016. (c) Ritchie Finney.