Gavin Bowles & The Distractions make a noise as bristling and as impeccably sharp as their facial hair, impressive and wild as hell. As keen as a blade to the throat, it’s madly danceable too, a pair of dancing shoes with razor blades in the toecap. – The Underground Stage
Zesty power-pop that bursts with a fun, rambunctious energy that takes hold of your senses from the first note. – Scenstr
Sydney Power Pop quartet Gavin Bowles & The Distractions hit the ground running in 2023; after releasing a series of catchy singles (“On The Telephone (I Used to Call You)”, “Break My Heart” and “Here Comes The Heartache”) and blazing through a stellar run of headline shows, the band has now released their debut album “Phoning It In”.
Bowles has made a name for himself recording and touring Aus in various outfits over the years, before dabbling in solo territory and eventually enlisting The Distractions (Michael Crudgington – guitar, Cameron Hill – bass, Simon Bowles – drums). Stylistically Bowles’ influences range from Rockabilly to Indie Rock and Punk Rock, but it’s with this set of new songs that he’s tapped into his unabashed love of 70’s and 80’s Power Pop.
“Phoning It In” is a sharp, no-holds-barred album of zippy pop-rock songs dealing with heartbreak, boredom, anxiety and nostalgia. The album is sonically driven by The Distractions incredibly tight and nuanced performances; flourishes of bright guitars, hop-along bass lines and watertight drum grooves paint an adoring landscape for Bowles heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics. Lead single “On The Telephone (I Used to Call You)” is a nostalgia-dipped fever dream of teenage infatuation over the landline. Whereas the second and third singles “Break My Heart” and “Here Comes The Heartache”; reveal a more candid and vulnerable side, dealing with lost love and the anxieties of leaving a life behind.
Bowles & The Distractions have quickly gained a reputation for their energetic and refined live shows in the lead up to their debut album. “Phoning It In” is a blistering troupe of catchy and earnest pop-rock songs that combine their Power Pop influences with Indie Rock sensibilities and showcase The Distractions talents along with Bowles charm, wit, sincerity and humour.
Tour dates:
Fri 27 Oct – The Vanguard (Sydney)
Sat 28 Oct – The Ori (Newcastle)
Fri 3 Nov – Jungle Duke Hotel (Wagga Wagga)
Sat 4 Nov – Whole Lotta Love (Melbourne)
Sat 11 Nov – Beach Hotel (Bonny Hills)
Sun 12 Nov – The Bearded Lady (Brisbane)
Fri 24 Nov – Reckless Brewery (Bathurst)
Sat 25 Nov – Station Bar (Blue Mountains)
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