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I still can't believe I found you again after all these long years! ...I had a cassette with "Time Bandits" and "What's The Odds?" I absolutely loved those songs so much I played and played and played that tape until one day it sadly died on me. I haven't heard those songs for many years since then, but often found myself humming them. Then, just yesterday the lyrics "Time bandits...stealing seconds..." came into my head whilst I sat browsing on the internet. So, being the curious person I am I did a google search for Passionate Friends and found a link to your myspace profile! I nearly had a thousands fits!! How amazing that you reformed last year! Amazing!!
Debra - Western Australia May 2009
Hands up...even though this is my era had never heard of this outfit until this week when i saw them in King Tuts, Glasgow. Thought they were really good. "Time Bandits" is ace!
TURBOTAXIREG62 on Youtube 12th Feb 2009
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Intro
Passionate Friends, the Glasgow-based 5 piece band was originally formed in 1982 and became one of the most exciting acts of that era, supporting Rod Stewart, the Police, Big Country and Nik Kershaw. Now, following a long period of inactivity the band have reformed with their individual style of 80's music and have provided support to Hue and Cry, The Blow Monkeys, Four Good Men and first on the bill at Retrofest 2008.
A new CD "Stealing Seconds", featuring their 80s music repertoire, is now available as music downloads on iTunes, having been released to co-incide with the band's re-launch. Further new material will follow. Numerous youtube music videos featuring their early television appearances are also available.
History of the band
Back in 1982 the Passionate Friends line-up then consisted of brothers John (guitar / vocals), Malky (keyboard / vocals) and Allan (bass /vocals), with the drum stool being occupied by Davey Halley. This was augmented later in the year, by lead guitarist Tam Watson, and his cousin Michael Quinn on saxophone. The band played their own music, a blend of pop music and rock music to the local Glasgow crowd.
In November 1982 Passionate Friends ventured into Glasgow's Park Lane studios, and recorded 3 songs, 2 of which which formed their double "A" side debut single - Time Bandits and What's the Odds, on their own Tenement Toons label. Following it's release, on 11th March 1983, it received overwhelming support from Radio Clyde (Clyde 1), having featured on almost every program, but especially Richard Park (now with Magic 105.4 in London and the infamous headmaster of BBC's prime time show ‘ Fame Academy'), Mark Goodier (now morning host on 102.2 Smooth Radio in London), and Billy Sloan (now Scotland's number one music journalist). Following this, the single was picked up nationally, and was played on BBC Radio One's (the late)John Peel, David Jensen, Peter Powell and Adrian John shows. The single was also reviewed favourably by Elvis Costello on Radio Clyde.
Following the success of Time Bandits, NiteMoves in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street became the Passionate Friends home base, performing a regular Sunday night sell-out, with Radio Clyde (Clyde 1) DJ, Richard Park.
In the summer of 1983, following a series of gigs around the country, the Passionate Friends style of po music was brought to the attention of Harvey Goldsmith (who featured in his very own TV series called 'Get Your Act Together' on the UK's Channel 4 ). Harvey Goldsmith was promoting the Rod Stewart gig at Ibrox Stadium, the home of Glasgow Rangers Football Club in Glasgow, and invited the boys to play support to Rod Stewart, Gary Glitter, and Jo Boxers. Billy Connolly, also managed by Harvey Goldsmith, became a fan and was a regular source of advice and encouragement to Passionate Friends.
Fueled by the success of this gig, Passionate Friends signed to MCA Records and MCA Music Publishing as well as Harvey Goldsmith. In October 1983, another single, Passionate Friends, was recorded at Battery Studios in London, produced by Charlie Eyre. The single achieved the scary heights of number 28 in the Radio Clyde (Clyde 1) charts.
Extensive touring to promote the single followed, notably on the Police Synchronicity tour, at Cornwall and the NEC, Birmingham. A top music Hogmanay extravaganza with Scotland's rock music heroes Big Country and RunRig at Glasgow Barrowlands, broadcast live across Europe for MTV. 2 support gigs with 80s music star, Nik Kershaw at Derby and Edinburgh.
Television appearances saw the band feature in a schools program, "Time to Think", and performing live on the BBC's "Untied Shoelaces Show, with legendary Radio Clyde DJ, Tiger Tim.
Radio broadcasts included a live concert on Radio Clyde (now Clyde 1) from Glasgow's NiteMoves top music nightclub.
In the spring of 1984, the band commissioned New York producer Jimmy Douglass (mega producer, recently working with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado - www.myspace.co/jimmymagicmix). The outcome of these Jam studio sessions in London, was 3 good pop music songs White Boys making White Noise, End in Tears and Hostage.
Later that year the band split, only to reform some 24 years later. Now Passionate Friends, the 80's music band are once again back out on the road, delivering their own unique style of rock music to a new wave of music fans.
Using today's technology, Passionate Friends are capable of reaching a new seam of 80's music and rock music fans with several Youtube music videos now available
© 2009 Passionate Friends .
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