The Distractions will release their 2nd album, The End Of The Pier on limited edition 180g vinyl LP, CD and digital download via Occultation Recordings on 21 August. The release precedes the band's only UK shows at the Kings Arms, Salford on 31 August and 1 September when they headline The Occultation End Of The Pier shows (also featuring labelmates Factory Star and The June Brides).

Factory fans will be familiar with the FAC 12 Time Goes By So Slow and other classic era output including the 1980 debut album Nobody's Perfect but, by 1981 they had disbanded Steve Perrin moving to New Zealand and singer Mike Finney going on work with The Art Of Noise before pursuing other projects.

All was then quiet until 2010 when The Distractions re-emerged with a the Black Velvet and Come Home EPs on Occultation. A year later, a studio in Exeter and after four days Finney and Perrin had laid down the basic tracks for The End Of The Pier with Mike Kellie (drums), Arash Torabi (bass) and producer Nick Halliwell (guitar and vocals).

Steve Perrin explains the long gap: "Being geographically challenged as we are means The Distractions is more occasional than full time; then again, long-awaited could also adjectivally apply to this album – Dexys look like they've rushed their new record, it's only 26 years since their last".

Mike Finney adds: "I rather like the idea of a world tour but it'd interfere with watching my son's football practice. Besides taking time off work is a bit tricky, so we've had to forego six weeks traversing North America in a bus and settle for two shows in Salford".

Album tracklisting

I Don't Have Time
Wise
Girl of the Year
Boots
When It Was Mine
Too Late To Change
The Summer I Met You
Man of the Moment
100 Times
The Last Song

More info on the album and tour at The Distractions Nothing and Occultation Recordings.

Labels: events, Factory_Star, gigs, The_Distractions, The_June_Brides

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