Sydney Power Pop quartet Gavin Bowles & The Distractions hit the ground running in 2023; after releasing a series of catchy singles and blazing through a stellar run of headline shows across the country, the band released their debut album “Phoning It In,” a sharp, no-holds-barred album of zippypop-rock songs dealing with heartbreak, boredom, anxiety and nostalgia. After a brief recharge, Bowles & The Distractions are back with their latest single, “She Hates My Guts,” which was released November 15.
I’m told to expect an upbeat track about the woes of domestic bliss gone sour, boasting jangle-pop guitars and vocal hooks aplenty. The press on the band tells me that Bowles & The Distractions get down to business with their incredibly tight and nuanced performances, brandishing catchy melodies, flourishes of bright guitars, hop-along bass lines and watertight drum grooves. With a setlist of lively and earnest pop-rock songs, Gavin Bowles & The Distractions have quickly gained a reputation for their energetic and refined live shows, combining their Power Pop influences with Indie Rock sensibilities, showcasing The Distractions talents along with Bowles charm, wit, sincerity and humour.
Now to my review.
I do like a band with a sense of humour, and I took one look at the title for this one and the publicity shot of the guys and knew this was exactly the type of group I would love to meet at a bar of a little club and have a drink with. I would bet a few dollars that they would be a blast!
As to the music, the single reminds me of that eighties pop rock sound, sort of Duran Duran with tongue in cheek. The guitars are in the groove, the vocals made me smile and it has a nice little dance hook in there that is driven by the understated heart found in the drum sound. It needs an open car and a radio for full appreciation, I think, but in essence we have a commercial rocker for your listening enjoyment.
As a finishing point, to keep us improving the magazine, we really do need your support, and if you can go to the “support us” button and buy us a coffee or follow us, it helps us feel appreciated and keep improving the magazine.
You can stream music from the band here
& I have popped a bit of general madness by the band below!
By Anna-Louise Burgess