The Distractions were a punk rock/new wave band from Manchester, England. History The band was originally formed in 1975 by college friends Mike Finney (vocals) and Steve Perrin (guitar).[1] The band changed tack with the advent of punk in 1977 and Finney and Perrin recruited a new line-up of Pip Nicholls (bass), Adrian Wright (guitar), and Alec Sidebottom (drums, formerly of The Purple Gang), now mixing punk rock with sixties influences.[1][2] They shared bills with the likes of Buzzcocks, Magazine and Joy Division, and their debut EP, You're Not Going Out Dressed Like That, released in 1979, led to a deal with Factory Records, who released the follow-up, "Time Goes By So Slow".[2][3] In a 1979 newsletter, Tony Wilson described the band: "Reminds the management of AustinTexas 66, but take your choice".[4] The band had already signed a deal with Island Records in September 1979, before the Factory single was released, according to Wilson "due to irresistable desire to play the game".[4] An album and a few more singles followed, but the band failed to break into the top 40 despite favourable reviews. Shortly after the album's release Perrin quit the band to be replaced by former Ludus guitarist, Arthur Kadmon. The group disbanded in 1981.[1][2] Finney went on to work with the Secret Seven and the Art of Noise. Kadmon played briefly with The Fall. Sidebottom leads the Republic of Swing samba band. Source: Wikipedia