The Passions were a West London band of the late 70's and early 80's, who helped create the template for the introspective, quirky pop common in the Indie era. Signed to Fiction records with the Cure, their debut album Michael And Miranda featured ringing, echoed guitars and observant lyrics. The Passions had a two boy, two girl line up that added to their fresh appeal. After a personnel change and newly signed to Polydor Records in 1980, the Passions released two singles, The Swimmer and I'm In Love With A German Film Star. The latter became a hit and exposed the band to a new audience. Five more singles and two albums followed, Thirty Thousand Feet Over China and Sanctuary. The band toured Britain and Europe extensively and performed in America during 1983, making many new friends. Lack of business acumen and explosive personal relationships caused the Passions to implode on their return to Britain. The band's last ever gig was at the Marquee in Wardour Street on the 28th August 1983, counted by many as the best they ever did.
In the last few years there has been increasing interest in the band, more than a quarter of a century after they split, and an ever growing collection of cover versions of German Film Star, at least a dozen to date including one by the Foo Fighters in 2005 and another by the Pet Shop Boys in 2008.
None of the band's material was available for many years but as a result of the recent interest some of the back catalogue has been re-issued and hopefully the rest will follow in due course.
'Thirty Thousand Feet Over China', originally released on Polydor in 1981 has been re-released as a CD with five bonus tracks on Cherry Red Records and is available in good record shops and from all online retailers including:
Cherry Red Amazon UK Amazon US HMV Ideal Copy
'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', the original 1981 single now re-released as a download:
UK iTunes US iTunes
Hi Thanks for add really nice to find you,your band got me into music for the first time it was the first single i ever brought and then on to play synths happy days stay in touch Dean and Si
hey there, thanks alot for becoming our friend, did you get a chance to pop past and listen to our tunes? if so what you think?. Please keep in contact, we feel alot of people have friends for the numbers but we want to know you! Hope your ok? Peace.. Lc - Praxis IV x
The Passions, Happy Thursday to you! Wishing you a restful and relaxed week. If you need some inspirational musical help relaxing, there are 3 albums available now at iTunes! You Can download them at Itunes by clicking below:
Online Now!
