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The most outstanding group

More from the City Fun archives at the Manchester District Music Archive. This review of the City Fun benefit gig at the Band On The Wall includes the Liggers, Jon The Postman and the Accelerators, with the highlight being The Distractions, of course.

 

CITY FUN BENEFIT, BAND ON THE WALL

Right, for a start, it was a 'reet night out' 70p. The spirit of '76 is back (I welcome it with open arms). I got in for nowt. First on were the Liggers, an all-girl group (Gina, Donna and Patty) they were fantastic. They only did three tracks, I enjoyed 'The Sadistic Doris Day'. The last one wasn't very good, with practice they'll be something.

The Distractions were next, well, what can I say except these boys are probably the best Manchester band I've ever seen. Good tunes and lyrics, confidence at times even funny, people danced, they have developed considerably since the first time I saw them. Not much I can really say. An encore speaks for itself.

Jon took the stage. Jon The Postman was billed top of the gig. He shouldn't have been. He wasn't bad but he certainly wasn't good. This was the first time I've seen this guy. I must admit I enjoyed 'Louie Louie'. He didn't do enough, it seems ill-rehearsed (is this his way of not conforming?). I'd go to see him again though.

The Accelerators were the final group. This Liverpool band certainly get around a bit. They are together, tight and fast. The reggae was good, and the song about the radio was good, but the one about the pop star was outstanding, people danced.

City Fun had a good night out, so did I. The Distractions were the most outstanding group. I like the Manchester scene (if this is typical). Hope to see Jon The Postman again. I liked Donna of the Liggers. Ta pal, that's all folks. Oh, thanks to Andy Blade (of  eater for a lift down to Manchester).

TONEE.

Parabolically Yours (almost)

The months of deep-archive research have borne fruit; all of The Distractions key masters have been located. However, using the same methodology as for any HiddenMasters project, the complete audio-database also includes live recordings; demos, outtakes, different mixes and radio sessions – some of which only now exist on DAT, cassette or virgin vinyl.

HiddenMasters have just completed the digitisation process of all found (at FX with Richard Whittaker as chief engineer) and will shortly be embarking on the song selection process in collaboration with Mike Finney and Steve Perrin.

The forthcoming set is entitled Parabolically Yours and will not only include historic Distractions recordings but bring the story totally up to date by featuring more recent material (as well as some prime cuts from the band’s sold out shows in Salford during 2013).

Parabolically Yours will be presented in a 12″ hard back, casebound book format (100+ pages – with text drawn from extensive interviews with the key people involved in the story of The Distractions – edited by David Quantick). It will be issued as a limited 1st edition of just 500 copies worldwide.

Further details – including the full track listing and pre-ordering details – will be announced shortly.

Definition of lost classic

As we gear up for the order process for the long-awaited, eagerly-anticipated release of the definitive Distractions box set, here's a couple of lovely little fan reviews of what will be the centre-piece of 'Parabolically Yours'.  Thanks to Mr Worthy and Whammo and My Party Is Better Than Yours for the kind words.

Mr Worthy and Whammo

Lost and Ignored Nuggets of Power Pop. Neglect is the finest form of love.

The Distractions - Nobody's Perfect

Pop perfection.  Often cited as one of the GREAT lost classics, the Distractions certainly hit a winning formula with this.  Elvis Costello eat your heat out!!  Don't think it's ever surfaced on ceedee but they did re-form in 2012 and released an album that was head 'n shoulders above most.

To Hell With Good Intentions.

The Distractions - Nobody's Perfect (1980)

The Distractions are an often-overlooked band of the seventies Manchester scene, forgotten in favour of peers and occasional touring buddies such as the Buzzcocks. Perhaps the definition of a lost classic, Nodoby's Perfect is 40 minutes of sonic brilliance, taking in Buzzcocks-like full-tilt punk, new-wave, and a bit of Phil Spector sixties pop.

 

Melancholy sensuality

This lovely review of FAC 12 Time Goes By So Slow appeared earlier this year on the Pop Diggers website based in Sweden - like many other Distractions fans seem to be - not least Malcolm Carter of Penny Black. 

THE DISTRACTIONS

Time Goes By So Slow
[Factory, 1979] (Listen)

Just like in The Shoes there is in The Distractions' music something fleeting, sensuous that is hard to describe.  A melancholy spread by the wind, a sorrow and longing sensuality.  A listening to Time Goes By So Slow and hopefully you will understand what I mean.  Singing of a real English soul singer, written by guitarist Adrian Wright - though it says otherwise on the label - and originally intended as a B-side.   Became instead a very obvious A-side and one of those rare singles where everything is correct.

 

You can play it a hundred times without finding a weak point, and it stands completely outside both time and trend.  Play in the years 2009 and rediscover innocence.

 

And for God's sake - get Nobody's Perfect today, their only and much beloved LP!  The 2000s can be very cold without it.

THE DISTRACTIONS

Time Goes By So Slow
[Factory, 1979] (Lyssna)

Precis som hos The Shoes så finns det i Distractions musik något flyktigt, översinnligt som är svårt att beskriva. Ett vemod som sprids med vinden, en sorgens och längtans sensualism. En lyssning till Time Goes By So Slow och ni förstår förhoppningsvis vad jag menar. Sjungen av en riktig engelsk soulsångare, skriven av gitarristen Adrian Wright – fast det står något annat på etiketten – och ursprungligen tänkt som en B-sida. Blev istället en alldeles självklar A-sida och en av dom där sällsynta singlarna där allting stämmer. 

Du kan spela den hundra gånger utan att hitta en svag punkt, och den står helt utanför både tid och trend. Spela den år 2009 och återupptäck oskulden. 

Och för guds skull – skaffa redan idag Nobody’s Perfect, deras enda och mycket älskade LP! 2000-talet kan bli mycket kallt utan den.

Better than Buzzcocks

As mentioned by former Distractions drummer, Alex Sidebottom, on Facebook last week, the box set is nearing reality thanks to the efforts of Neil Storey, former Head of Press at Island Records, and team at HiddenMasters.

In the meantime, delving into the archives of the City Fun Exhibition at the Manchester District Music Archive pulled out this double review of a Distractions gig at The Squat , supported by The Nives and The Gags.

The Distractions - in retrospect, a strange looking bunch. The sound wasn't too hot. Awful drum sound, no punch, no power. Presumably not the drummer's fault, he looked pretty active. The rhythm guitar was too far low down in the mix. The bass? Sounded OK. Lead guitar was jumbled. A very boring review. I couldn't understand the words. They have promise. Reminded me of the Jags, who supported Squeeze at the university in November. Let's just say that The Distractions were better than the Smirks when I saw them at the university, and, given a clearer sound, would (or should) get people dancing. I didn't dance, I'd have been too embarrassed... Christ, that was a boring review...

Wednesday 13th December, The Squat, featuring: Gags, Distractions, Nives.

Distractions - promising, need a clearer sound. They looked bored, can't blame them, was that Bob Geldof in the audience? No atmosphere at the gig. The Squat's too high and always empty. Most of their songs sounded better than the Buzzcocks latest (awful) single. The Small Faces song they did was (seemed) the most effective. A good / great dance band given the opportunity. 

Who are The Distractions?

Some further snippets from the City Fun Exhibition at the Manchester District Music Archive. There's another review of the Buxton gig, by Andy Zero, a 'Leveller' benefit gig at the Poly alongside The Fall and The Passage, and a question-and-answer in the letters pages after the first City Fun (the Distractions special).

Saturday 14th, The Distractions, Buxton. Cavers 'do'. Lots of heavy cavers jumping up and down, and side to side - slipping and sliding the night away. P.A. bouncing off the table. The Distractions - very good, very tight, good fun. Mike (Cyril the Fonze) and Steve (red and black harlequin) grabbing front line attention. Bass surge, guitar distinction. Constant drums, clear voice, energy, competence, fun. They knew it was good. What more. I can't be objective - the best Distractions gig I've ever seen. Playing like this, why only in front of 100+ cavers and no fans?

Andy Zero

Sat 21st. The Poly. A 'Leveller' benefit. A gig: The Fall, The Passage, The Distractions, Crass, Agony Column...  The Distractions - Bad sound. A messy beginning, slow start, pauses and breaking guitar strap didn't contribute. About 1/2 way through the strength of material becomes apparent. The last song. A few people dancing. Another four numbers and we all would. I'll wait until next time. Photographs in the dressing room.

City Fun,

Who are "The Distractions"? I've never heard of them.

Dear Godzilla, 

The Distractions  are a good local band. You've probably never hard of them because you spend too much time reading the N.M.E. to find out what's happening in Manchester. I presume you've heard of the Buzzcocks before they'd even decided to form, eh!