Welcome to my nifty Dreambook, a free guestbook service from New Dream Network and the DreamHost!If you have a minute, please add your entry to those below by signing my Dreambook!
| Name: | Andy Von Pip |
| E-mail address: | vonpip@yahoo.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://vonpipmusicalexpress.wordpress.com/ |
| Comments: | I must have "hunted" On CD ! I must ! Its the first song I ever heard on Peel, when i was about 9 ! |
| Name: | Shanto |
| E-mail address: | shanto@ziggo.nl |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.nataraj.info |
| Comments: | I remember very well seeing the Passions at the NewPop festival in 1980 Rotterdam. It completely shifted my music experience! Everything sounded so New and it was full of hope. After the concert I played 'Michael and Miranda' time after time and it still is one of my favorits. So thank you for doing all this! |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Good to know that the band is appreciated for something other than German Film Star. The songs you mention are indeed excellent. |
| Name: | ginxxx |
| E-mail address: | jacobosr96@live.co.uk |
| Comments: | I hate to admit it publically but i have been plugging in my record player regularly for the past 30 years to listen to the passions. 'A strange affair' 'oh no it's you!' 'Alice's song' 'Small talk' and others...fantastic songs that will ever stir me. Beautiful, melodic, moving ... it's so sad that few people have heard them. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | There were six BBC sessions: three John Peel, one Richard Skinner, one David 'Kid' Jensen and one Mike Read. |
| Name: | George McWilliams |
| E-mail address: | geomcwilliams@btinternet.com |
| Comments: | The Passions were amazing...wasnt there a couple of Peel sessions too...unsurpassable...when will the rest of the world catch up? |
| Name: | heston |
| Comments: | DAVID IS NOW OUR TEACHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... LOVE THE HAIR SIR ..DAVEND DIPINDER ESHARAN SOPHIA JASMEEN AND MRS STRONG |
| Name: | Luisa F. |
| E-mail address: | luisaferrucci@gmail.com |
| Comments: | hi Clive! re-discovered the song by buying the 'ashes to ashes' tv show soundtrack. have been playing it on repeat since :-) !!! Luisa, Lorenzo, Una and Mario. xx |
| Name: | John S |
| E-mail address: | art@jshelley.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.jshelley.com |
| Comments: | Great to find this website! I was at the 1981 Rafters gig in Manchester, spent the gig at the front of the stage utterly fixated. Ah happy memories, Barbara was the coolest woman on earth with the greatest voice. |
| Name: | Ian B |
| E-mail address: | diskochimp@yahoo.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/diskochimp |
| Comments: | Just wanted to say that the new "30,000 Feet" reissue sounds absolutely fantastic - rather better than the crummy cassette copy I've been relying on for the last 20 years anyway! Really lovely stuff - thanks... x |
| Name: | Jan |
| E-mail address: | leozen@mail2web.com |
| Comments: | Hi you guys! Just found the website, just GREAT! I'm so pleased you're/it's here! Dying to get M&M on CD - if your'e pressuring someone to get it released., PLEASE keep it up, and if there's anything I can do........just let me know......! When M&M came out I was working in a record shop in Kensoington High Street, and we used to play it all the time. I saw the Passions supporting The Cure at the Rainbow, and then - best of all - at the ICA gig. One of the best gigs ever!!! Barbara's haunting ethereal voice filling that large room. I'll never forget it! - I still have the goose-bumps, and the ticket stubb - could send you a scan if your'e as anorak-y as I am! Sooo glad your'e here - I'll be looking-in regularly now ! Take Care, Jan |
| Name: | David |
| E-mail address: | davidcintra@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.factor-zero.blogspot.com |
| Comments: | Hi, good site about one of my all-time favourite band. I've heard "Michael and Miranda" LP thousands and thousands times since the 80's. The Suspicion's lyrics is a classic! Pedal Fury is one of the best songs I've heard in my 30 and so years of rock'n'roll.... Hope all you Passions members be happy frever,yu make my life a little more comprehensive... thanx! |
| Name: | Liz Lewis |
| E-mail address: | emlewis19@aol.com |
| Comments: | I wonder whatever happened to my striped mohair sweater Richard was wearing on the cover of Needles and Pills? Amazing to see that photo of you all this year. I hope you're all well and happy. I am!! Love, Liz XXX |
| Name: | Ben Robinson |
| E-mail address: | bennozid1@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://http://www.myspace.com/bennozoid |
| Comments: | Ok so now I've heard 4 or 5 of your tracks and THE PASSIONS ARE MY NEW FAVOURITE BAND. Can't wait for your (surely inevitable) live appearances.....please let us know when they occur. I have to be there....Can't wait to play your songs in my car; where music always sounds even better to me....a long journey; sunset to night....the passions....i think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!....... |
| Name: | Ben Robinson |
| E-mail address: | bennozoid1@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://http://www.myspace.com/bennozoid |
| Comments: | Right now, I'm listening to this track on a loop, about 10 times a day....It really is special. As a film-maker who is very interested in the period it was written in (I can say no more than that on here) it is PERFECT. So ahead of it's time. What more can I say? Maybe I'll come back later and say more!......listening to the track RIGHT NOW....2.14......2.20.......every second is perfect musical art......2.41....... |
| Name: | DACKDYDE |
| E-mail address: | dackdyde@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.youtube.com/dackdyde |
| Comments: | As a founder member I have quite a bit of archive stuff |
| Name: | taran burns |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/taranburnsfilms |
| Comments: | ello ello. i have been listening to the Michael & Miranda album for just over a year, and still find it one of the most interesting listens of the 80s! you really gotta release this stuff again, because the new wave sound is back, and i keep hearing copycats EVERYWHERE. |
| Name: | Mark Robinson |
| E-mail address: | mark@opikort.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://robinson3d.com |
| Comments: | Just a quick note to Dave. Do you remember the real Spandau Ballet? The Venue rehearsals etc.Come on, speak up!! Hope you are well, Mark. Say hi to Mickey. |
| Name: | Alexander |
| E-mail address: | alexandermachiel@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.alexandermachiel.com |
| Comments: | Rather surprised to find myself back as a 15 year-old on your 'photos' page (Newpop, Rotterdam, with my sister, David and a dopey girl from Amsterdam)... Into British polyphony now :-) Regs., A. |
| Name: | Peter |
| E-mail address: | goosebumps999@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hi there, I still love The Passions so much. I was 17 at the time when 'German filmstar' was nr 1 on the local radio. I'm very glad I have all their lps and a taped 1981 concert of them in Paradisio in Amsterdam. It's a pity I still can't find anything on cd. GReetz to all members and fans. Peter |
| Name: | Bev King |
| E-mail address: | bevking1@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I first heard this when I was 15years old travelling around Asia and Europe with my Mum and friends, German film star still gives me goose bumps. |
| Name: | Roger Holdstock |
| E-mail address: | rogerholdstock@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | My fave is Hunted - even though I haven't heard it for about 25 years, it's still lodged firmly in my head. Get it out NOW! |
| Name: | gary roberts |
| E-mail address: | gaz.roberts@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | i went to see the french band nouvelle vague last month and they do a cover of film star which is amazing.30,000 feet over china a lovely piece of work,cool as |
| Name: | poeme electronique |
| E-mail address: | hewsongs@btopenworld.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://poeme-electronique.com |
| Comments: | Your song changed my life - a milestone in musical history thank you so much. |
| Name: | Gareth Follis |
| E-mail address: | gareth.follis@talktalk.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/gardrumnut |
| Comments: | Hi, Passions - love hearing the stuff again in this age of the instant download! - I've left comment on your MySpace. Time you back out there! Gareth |
| Name: | Mike Perrin |
| E-mail address: | threefoil@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Dear Passions, Annie Nightingale once said that the years 78 -82 were the very best years for music ever. She may have have changed her mind since... but I haven't, and when I hear Passions music it takes me back to a time when EVERY WEEK there would be something new and exciting that you just had to buy, because it meant something wonderful to you. There was music to spare in those days! It's wonderful to see bands from those times speaking to their fans and sharing the joy and enthusiasm again (seen the Sophie and Peter Johnston website?) so Thank You, Passions, for this wonderful website. I have your first and third albums, but not '30,000 feet' so if you do release it you will have another customer! Martha and the Muffins did it with 'This is the Ice Age', you can too! Heartfelt best wishes to you all. |
| Name: | Phil |
| E-mail address: | philsparrow1@netscape.net |
| Comments: | I origionally found and purchased the 7" I'm in love with a german film star whilst shopping in London, fantastic I thought, until it was crushed in the doors of tube train:-( I'm happy to say, 25 years later, I've downloaded it and it sound as good as I recall - Living in Austarlia now I'm curious to know if there are any Gold Coast fans out there? |
| Name: | Andy |
| E-mail address: | andy@asxtc.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.asxtc.com |
| Comments: | There i was filling in my facebook info...and The Passions came to mind (but being in Germany..i didnt know if it was "Micheal or Michael"...and found this site...Crikey!! Michael and Miranda is still one of my most played albums...pity to read its not Digital yet!! I hitch-hiked from Burnham to Bristol (Colston Hall i think) to see the Cure...and the support group were fantastic (wasnt one of the Mics live..and Barbara got shocked??). Needless to say--i have more Passions records than Cure ones :( |
| Name: | Noel Fitz |
| E-mail address: | noel-fitz@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | I've just discovered this site and a mighty well done to you. Great discography section. |
| Name: | Phil 'Drac' Longes |
| E-mail address: | jill.longes@ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | Hi there. Hope you can pass on my email address to Clive Timperley. We shared a flat in Hans Place, Knightsbridge in'72, before I went travelling. Returned in '76 & completely lost touch with everyone. As I'm at home today clearing my bowels before internal examination at hospital tomorrow (31/8/07) have spent the day surfing the net & came across this site (amongst others such as Strummercamp & Tymon Dogg etc) Does Clive remember 'vomit heights' I wonder? Love to hear from Clive & anyone who remembers me. Regards, Phil ('Drac') |
| Name: | DDavid Liso |
| E-mail address: | daveliso@bluewin.ch |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.eversore.com |
| Comments: | "It was a nice surprise to listen to Absentee performed live. What a great little piece of music that song is, super hook, catchy chords, pessimistic lyrics and all the features to remain an 80's classic, just like all the other tunes on Michael & Miranda. Er, Barbara, I assume you are way too busy, but please let's find a way to gather up some funds and release the Passons anthology on CD. Quick!" |
| Name: | Rich |
| E-mail address: | richarddownes1966@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/theclash1966 |
| Comments: | ita a pleasure to find this site. I wore out my copy of 'Africa Mine 'many years ago. When I moved house a while later I lost a box of singles in the move .That single was in the box.So for about 20 years I never heard that song.I even requested it on BBC 6 music (about 2 years ago)and they played it.I still knew all the lyrics. I was searching a site called Netsounds and they had the album Passion Plays on cd.It cost £25 and I thought sod it so I ordered it.It arrived on my birthday which was the day before I was due to fly to Moscow where I was due to start a big trip of Russia and Mongolia.Needless to say I think I played that album for an hour a day for the 3 months I was away from home.... Thanks for the music x |
| Name: | Vinny |
| E-mail address: | longbrook@msn.com |
| Comments: | Well I would just like to say you`ve made an old man very happy(41)I first heard this on the good old John Peel show,way back when I was around 15,listening to it,like a lot of kids were in those days,with my radio cassette,and was astounded when I heard this for the first time,made even better in the darkness of my bedroom,letting my mind wander in the hypnotic trance of the vocals and guitar.It`s such a pure and clean sound,so glad it`s been re-realeased,and I am happy to say I`ve just paid 79p for it,let`s hope some of it finds it way to you,good luck,and thanks for a truly wonderful record. |
| Name: | barbara |
| E-mail address: | bgogan@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.lulumusic.com |
| Comments: | Small stones get stepped on all of the time / People will walk all over you if you're not their kind / It's not only money / It's not only talent / People will walk all over you if you don't know your own mind / Retrogressive leaders / Rule by misery / Small stones get stepped on all of the time / People will walk all over you if you don't know your own mind |
| Name: | steve |
| E-mail address: | carnagevisors@btinternet.com |
| Comments: | I've been searching for the lyrics for a song from 30000ft over china,Small stones, I just want to include it as one of my all time fav songs on my melodramatic blog ( with your permission of course) could you help.( pretty please) |
| Name: | mclayton@randomhouse.co.uk |
| E-mail address: | mclayton@randomhouse.co.uk |
| Comments: | We are publishing a book about the Peel Sessions and would love to inlclude your note from Peel and any photo from around that time. do you have anything that i could use for free? mathew |
| Name: | Nigel Barrett |
| E-mail address: | littlenige@btopenworld.com |
| Comments: | Just another fan of the group here checking in. I loved the single that you´re all talking about but I also rave about the track Jump for Joy - uplifting! Wish I could get hold of a copy of it in a digital format. |
| Name: | barbara gogan |
| E-mail address: | bgogan@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://lulumusic.com |
| Comments: | I'm not sure why you're asking. But the song was was written by the four of us. I'd scribbled the words on a piece of found paper. Clive was playing the riff when I got to rehearsal. It felt right. Richard went, right. David felt the moment. That is how good collaborations happen. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| E-mail address: | webmaster@thepassins.co.uk |
| Comments: | Stas, I've emailed you directly with all this informtion. |
| Name: | Stas |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.snegiri.ru |
| Comments: | Hi, I'm looking for the names of authors of lyrics for the song "I'm in Love With a German Film Star", could you please help me? I'm also looking for a name of a guy who wrote the music, and who owns master and publishing rights, Thank you, I'll be waiting for your answer, asap. In case you need to contact me, my e-mail is: sstazz@mail.ru. |
| Name: | Phil Tunnicliffe |
| E-mail address: | camera@academypictures.co.uk |
| Comments: | Wow! 25 years ago, I wrote, produced, directed and edited the music video for Sanctuary! I've still got a dupe of the master somewhere as well as a VHS copy. Not sure if the rushes ever survived. But I can remember making the video all those years ago. I don't have the time to go into detail right now but there are some interesting things relating to that shoot a quarter of a century ago. I'll post them when I get the time and if anyone wants to see the video let me know! Phil |
| Name: | isabelle |
| E-mail address: | echo108@pacbell.net |
| Comments: | please let me know when the Passions will be available on CD. It bring back so many good memories. I miss it. Thank you |
| Name: | David Liso |
| E-mail address: | daveliso@bluewin.ch |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.eversore.com |
| Comments: | Hey, you Passions buffs...We've got Jeffrey Runnings signin' the Dreambook here. Cool, huh? I find this really cool...I had no idea For Against was influenced by the Passions; it pleases me to have this information confirmed. To me, in all truth, the thread was inevitable. The equation went: The Passions Clive Timperley's echoplex led to a longing for all 4AD-type etheral sounds (UK) and For Against-style layered guitars (US) = dream pop / shoegaze. I don't know about you, but that's what happened in my case. 30000 Feet Over China, December, Treasure, Just For A Day...All can play together in the same room, no boundaries, no shame. |
| Name: | IPW |
| E-mail address: | iwhiti217@aol.com |
| Comments: | The song and its parent album are really special for me. Seven years after its original release, (1989) I wasn't that happy at college, and I would while away my time listening to these beautiful and melancholy songs (on an old C90 tape). I would love the recoed company to re-release the original LP on CD again. They are a great band! |
| Name: | Jeff |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/foragainst |
| Comments: | Hey Passions- I wanted to say hello and let you know you were WORSHIPPED here in Nebraska, America's heartland, by a rabid following of fans who ran out everytime we knew a new P single was in the shops... REALLY- you were a big influence on me and my approach to songwriting; the debut is still an absolute favorite and I loved the second album too- pray all's well!! xx Jeff / FOR AGAINST |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Thanks for your comments Gaz. The Foo Fighters' version of German Film Star is on the B side of the UK version of 'Best of You'. Its available on UK iTunes. |
| Name: | Gaz |
| E-mail address: | me@randhm.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.randhm.co.uk |
| Comments: | You will never know how much this song has meant from the first time I heard it as a young boy. Probably THE song of my life ... and if you knew me you would know that is saying something. Thank you The Passions :-) Have the Foos covered German Filmstar? Anyone know where to get a copy? Gaz (all the happier for having a Passion Web site) |
| Name: | Brandon |
| E-mail address: | brandongrover@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/wefoughtthebigone |
| Comments: | Michael and Miranda is a tremendous record and one of my all time favorites. Shame its always in the new wave shadow of(the really wonderful song)German Film Star. I think there is a new hipster crowd out there that would certainly be keen to M and M's timelessness along with Mo-Dettes, Delta 5 etc. re-release? |
| Name: | Pete Exley |
| Comments: | Glad I found you again. I have played Michael and Miranda on and off for the last 25 years. Always come back to it! Has anyone mentioned the lyric sheet that came with M&M? My LP had a copy, my brother's didn't. Cant wait for all the stuff to be re-released. |
| Name: | Danny Valentine |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.dannyvalentine.com |
| Comments: | oh i heard this enigmatic song when i was a teenage weirdo in the 1990s and found a cd of 30000 feet over china in a place called parrot so wonderful at last to find out about this band that lived in a black and white picture at the back of my mind...i think i would dearly love to make a version of one of the songs and will post when i do...x x x viva the passions x x x |
| Name: | Kevin Hewick |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.kevinhewick.co.uk |
| Comments: | I only ever saw The Passions once - supporting Roxy Music at Leicester Granby Halls. I loved all three albums, played them loads of times in my bedroom at my Mum and Dads house, and recall a very fine Peel session where "Someone Special" was,in my humble opinion, better than the album take. Amazed to stumble on this swanky site for them, nice one! |
| Name: | joel letort |
| E-mail address: | joel.letort@ntlworld.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/orbitorjourney |
| Comments: | One of the 1980's greatest band's. Thank you for long term the influences. Peace. |
| Name: | Stu C |
| E-mail address: | cormie[at]uk2.net |
| Comments: | Saw The Passions at Brunel Uni in winter 1981 when "I’m Love with a German Film Star" was riding high in the charts. The band had been on TOTP in the weeks before and as a wide-eyed 18-yr-old, having just moved down to the Smoke from oop North, I remember being utterly gobsmacked at being in the same room as real live popstars! I also remember thinking that singer sure does look damned purdy ;-) |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | There's only ever been one version of German Film Star, despite the one on the 12"80's compilation being labelled 'long version'. It isn't! |
| Name: | gregreedee |
| E-mail address: | gregreedee@_nospam_yahoo.com.au |
| Comments: | I looved that song so much: takes me back to being 18 again: "Expanding my Consciousness". Radio 2JJJ pushed the song in Sydney, I have a memory of there being two versions played on the radio: the first--with less bass--I preferred over the following version. I'm usually a fan of bass. Was one a single and the other the album version, or is this the vagueness of memory? Imagine my disgust clicking on the iTunes link and the song NOT being available to iTunes Australia subscribers! |
| Name: | Andy M |
| E-mail address: | marshmusic@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://myspace.com/electricbanjo |
| Comments: | About bloody time!! Africa Mine still puts the hairs on the back of my neck on end..... I've still got all the albums, singles, the lot....thought you'd given up the ghost... Welcome to cyberspace.. xxx |
| Name: | macca |
| E-mail address: | traceyandpaul@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://thepassions.co.uk/ |
| Comments: | have always loved this song, last year got my hands on "passion plays" ,wicked bunch of songs,i watched " never mind the buzzcocks" tonight and on the identity parade was the drummer(from the passions) and it was said that the back catalogue was being re released !!!!!!! cant wait !! |
| Name: | Phil |
| E-mail address: | phil.mc_carty@virgin.net |
| Comments: | There's an echo in here... (or an echoplex??) It is so damn good to see you in cyberspace. Happy, very happy memories of sitting in an intense undergraduate way getting gone on cheap booze and letting 'German Film Star' waft across us. Even the 'Mike the Cool Person' (remember your 'Young Ones'?) types raved about it. I'm in love with one of the finest singles of the 1980s.. Welcome back. |
| Name: | Andy Jackson |
| E-mail address: | a.z.jackson@dundee.ac.uk |
| Comments: | Great to see a website at last for the most cruelly ignored band of the early 80s! Will we have to wait forever to see Sanctuary and M&M released on CD, I wonder? Some great photos - not seen any good photos of the band on the web before, so this was a revelation. What are the band up to these days? Maybe the website tells me but I haven't looked yet...anyway, well done and thanks for giving the great Passions some web presence at last! |
| Name: | Lieutenant030 |
| Comments: | OK, no need to correct the link... I now realise that I was having a "can't see the wood for the trees" moment ;oD |
| Name: | Lieutenant030 |
| E-mail address: | lieutenant030@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Excellent site which has been a major contributory factor to me re-visiting the Passions output and realising what I've been missing. I am currently trawling through piles of NMEs, Sounds & Smash Hits from '78 to '82 looking for snippets which you may find useful for the site (1 interview from Smash Hits refers to 1st LP as "David & Miranda" D'oh! Good luck with the site and fingers crossed for the re-issues. (Can you check the link on Page 1 of the biog re. Moonlight Tapes? It links to a Beatles site!!!) |
| Name: | shrubstik |
| E-mail address: | shrubstik@btopenworld.com |
| Comments: | Ah ha, at last a website for The Passions. Great stuff, very underrated band in my opinion. Lucky enough to have many of their records from the 1st single onwards, and even managed after many many months of e-baying to get hold of "30,000 Feet Over China" on cd. Great band, I hope the logs about re-issues (Esp 'M&M', 'Sanctuary', and 'Hunted' (what a classic) on CD come to fruition in the future. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Wikipedia has now been amended to include the "Sanctuary" single. Thanks for pointing out the omission. "Love is Essential" was actually the only song the Passions ever recorded which was not written by the band. It was penned by Kevin Armstrong during his time with Local Heroes. Its inclusion on "Sanctuary" caused a certain amount of disagreement within the band! |
| Name: | dw |
| E-mail address: | anacrusis67@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Maybe someone should edit the Wikipedia entry. The first Passions song I ever heard was "Sanctuary" on a indie music countdown show called "Wavebreaker". WTSR 91.3fm played it on Saturday afternoons when I was a kid, and apparently Sanctuary was getting a lot of play somewhere. I was surprised not to see it listed as a single on Wiki; maybe it was US-only? Anyway, I scoured the record bins for a year or so and eventually found the Sanctuary album. "Love is Essential" is my other favorite song, where I discovered I like ninth chords. Good memories. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Dan, there were three albums plus a compilation, see http://www.thepassions.co.uk/albums.html for full details. |
| Name: | Dan |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.freewebs.com/supamekinose |
| Comments: | Only one Passions album? Shame. Great. Should've done more. |
| Name: | David Liso |
| E-mail address: | daveliso@bluewin.ch |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.eversore.com |
| Comments: | "...by the dreamy end chords of Strange Affair I was in awe. These guys were it, way ahead of the game, on top of everyone else. Small Stones was a bit harsh to end side A with, but all bands wish to have written a droney war chant as good as this. Side B explodes with freshness as Runaway hits the grooves and that slashing outer space guitar takes the stage; but bass player David Agar is the real secret weapon here. Runaway, The Square, and especially the wonderful Alice's Song wouldn'be the same without him. Along the same lines as Simon Gallup and Steve Severin, he truly is my fetish bass player of all times and I always keep on referring back to his sound. Bachelor Girls and Skin Deep remain a bit too bland a poppy for my taste but who else can boast to get an 8 out of 10 on their sophomore release? Not many bands had this ease with songwriting, execution, and sound research back then, at least as far as pop music is concerned..." (continues) |
| Name: | David Liso |
| E-mail address: | daveliso@bluewin.ch |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.eversore.com |
| Comments: | "...I had found the 30,000 Feet LP in the Ricordi record shop off Via XX Settembre in Genova, Italy. Right next to it, Michael And Miranda was also waiting for me, but I did not have enough money, so their debut release had to wait another month before landing on my record player. Anyway, with 30,000 Feet, my expectations were met. Not only I recognised the hit single I saw the band lip-synch on the french programme, but also all the other songs had that crystal-clear feel, dazzling guitar sound! What hit me in the face (aside from the end-part and final minor chord of Someone Special which are brilliant) was the beginning of The Swimmer. What a frontal attack! What powerful chord progression! The best song intro ever...(continues)" |
| Name: | David Liso |
| E-mail address: | daveliso@bluewin.ch |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.eversore.com |
| Comments: | "...My love story with the passions started out sometime in 1981 when I saw the band play live on TV on Platine 45, a french rock show on Antenne 2. The world stopped. I was barely 13 and this was the right correct sound of music I HAD BEEN WAITING FOR SINCE BIRTH. Yes, of course I already loved James-Honeyman Scott's sound of the Pretenders, but this...This was ethereal beyond belief, 10 years before shoegaze and Slowdive! I suddenly felt like I had a masseuse's 10 fingers on my back. What lush voice, classy bass, time signature snare, and that awesome guitar, like stars falling from the sky. Well, time has passed since, but there is no match for The Passions 30,000 Feet Over China, one of my top 5 favourite albums of all time. You would not believe how much that piece of vynil influenced me and my songwriting. I would not have been the same without it..." (continues soon) |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Ronnie, German Film Star is to be be re-released in digital format and will be available to download from all the usual sites very soon. The exact release date will be announced on the website or you can join the mailing list to be among the first to know. |
| Name: | Ronnie Biggs |
| Comments: | I'm in love with a German Film Star has haunted me all my life. I lost the original 45 to an ex girlfriend but can't get a copy for love nor money. Got the Foo Fighters version from iTunes but it's not the real deal. Anyone know of where I can buy it (download) or even an mp3 I could have |
| Name: | pete |
| E-mail address: | peterharding25@yahoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | 'I'm in Love with a German Filmstar' is a timeless classic in its uniqueness.. the hypnotic guitars and barbara Gogan's vocals are amazing..its like listening to a piece of artwork! Would love to hear more of their music... |
| Name: | David |
| Comments: | Wonderful web site, thanks for putting this up! "30,000 Ft. over China" is in my top 10 albums of ALL TIME list, and it's a crime that its not still available! |
| Name: | Kevin Baxter |
| E-mail address: | kevbax100@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | At last a site for The Passions. Followed the band avidly from 1980 and saw them 4/5 times in concert in London. Their songs still rekindle fond memories of great gigs, first loves etc... Have a backstage pass of Kevin´s from the Venue in Victoria ´82, when I met him. Recall that I met a guy that night who claimed to have some live video footage of the band. Do I ever wish I had called him... |
| Name: | Nick |
| E-mail address: | npwooks@yahoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | Hi I saw the Passions at Vanbrugh College, York University probably late 79 or early 80. It was after the release of the Hunted single that I still have. Always preferred the B side "Oh no its You" which they played that night. Was a great gig. |
| Name: | Paul Tierney |
| E-mail address: | paulstableboy@yahoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | Can I point you to our cover of German Film Star... Bit miffed we've been pipped (twice) to the post recently, but all versions sound pretty different to each other. Testament to a great song... www.myspace.com/burntoutstablegirl |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Neale, unfortunately the only CD available is the 'Passion Plays' compilation, available from the Disc Kiosk: http://www.thedisckiosk.com/proddetail.asp?prod=80100789 This doesn't include 'Hunted' but we are hoping to get all the Passions back catalogue made available at some point. Keep an eye on the website for news. |
| Name: | Neale |
| E-mail address: | Neale.Burns@Southwark.gov.uk |
| Comments: | good to see this web site and the band is still linked to their fans- iam looking for Hunted on CD - do you know where i can get it on this format? |
| Name: | Christopher Dunster |
| E-mail address: | cdunster @btinternet.com |
| Comments: | Ooh this takes me back! I still have the 7 inch! |
| Name: | Bobby Johnson |
| E-mail address: | sbfreight@aol.com |
| Comments: | Gfs stills haunts me when I here it and was quite taken aback that so many other people are moved by it.Amazing that so many Passions tracks are now being made available and it goes to show that real quality will stand the test of time. |
| Name: | Jan Willem Schroder |
| E-mail address: | schroder26@wanadoo.nl |
| Comments: | Are there any musicians visiting the side, and being interested in playing passions-songs? I'm a 40 year old bass player, living in Holland and a big Passions fan, but I never reached musicians with the same "passion". When I heard GFS (and the rest of 30000 feet) for the first time, I had my first love, so these songs stay very special to me. I also had a cassette with one of the live gigs, the passions used to play in Holland for Vara's pop-caravaan (or was it vara's zomertoer?). The cassette didn't have an eternal life, but as far as I can remember, it was one of the best gigs I 've heard. Greetings to all Passions fans and especially to David Agar (bass brother) who left a message at the forum. Thanks! |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Alistair, we think the band played at the Leeds F Club in 1980 and the Leeds Futurama 3 Festival in the summer of 1981 (we have a bootleg recording of this). Could you have been at either of these gigs? Of course there may have been other Leeds gigs. |
| Name: | ali |
| E-mail address: | alistairyoung@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Well, I'm on a crappy business trip in the middle of nowhere in the States and found some solace bringing back memories of great times at Leeds Poly in the early 80's. Loved GFS then and still do now. They don't make too many good 'uns anymore! The sad thing is I'm pretty sure I saw the Passions in Leeds sometime in 1980, but I'm getting so old that I can't be totally sure anymore! Anyway, thanks for the great evening of recollection. |
| Name: | Fabrice |
| E-mail address: | fpetignat@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I have a 1980 K7 from a french radio show. The quality is very good unfortunately the radio's speaker guy "Bernard Lenoir" make very unpleasant commentary about the bank in the beginning of each song. If you have interest please let me know. Duration ca 30 minutes. Cheers. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| E-mail address: | webmaster@thepassions.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.thepassions.co.uk |
| Comments: | That would have been 1st December 1982. Glad you like the website. |
| Name: | Fabrice Petignat |
| E-mail address: | fpetignat@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hello, Great job, your web site is fantastic ! I attend to a Passion gig in Geneva Switzerland it was the "Car driven fast" tour, the last. The name of the Venue was "Salle du faubourg" unfortunately I cannot remember the exact date. Best Fabrice. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| E-mail address: | webmaster@thepassions.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.thepassions.co.uk |
| Comments: | Thanks for your kind comments aktivitaet. We do have the 'Rock Family Tree' and may include some of it in the biog which will be going on the site soon. Someone has recently sent us the 'Where are they now' article from the early 90's and we love Richard's comment "I have absolutely no interest in pop music whatsoever now. I don't miss it at all". oooer, who got out of bed the wrong side? |
| Name: | Ian |
| E-mail address: | aktivitaet@fivetenfifteen.com |
| Comments: | So glad to see a site about the Passions at last and so well done. Can think of a few things it might be worth adding/referring to as sources, such as the excellent 'Passions: The Story of a band' rock family tree in Pete Frame's book of the same name, thanks largely to Barbara's comments, especially on the split with Clive. There was also a 'where are they now' piece from Q magazine in the early 90s, I have somewhere, had some interesting update tidbits. I was lucky enough to come by a copy of '30,000 Feet...' on CD when it came out in the early 90s on Pipeline - would be good to see it on CD again but with some of the fantastic period B-sides added. And of course the other two albums at long last. Once again, thanks for getting this site together and look forward to more! |
| Name: | ALlan |
| E-mail address: | the_blue_and_the_grey_@msn.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/voicesinthefog |
| Comments: | At last, A Passions site! I can still remember the feeling of seeing 'German Film Star' on top of the pops and spending my school dinner money on it the next day. I was and still am very moved by the song.An underated band with an under-recognised sound.Me and my band have never forgot them.Go to www.myspace.com/voicesinthefog. |
| Name: | dcnetwork |
| E-mail address: | dcshell@voila.fr |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/dcshelloffice |
| Comments: | The Passions were unique, probably the greatest forgoten band of the 80's. I definitely think that their 1st LP "Michael&Miranda" was mainly underrated. Their global sound was not so far from The Cure "3 Imaginary Boys" sound, (both signed to Fiction ...) but with a distinct and personal approach and great, great songs ! Feminist, poetic, atmospheric, mysterious... And their gigs were... magic ! Enchanted. |
| Name: | Dale |
| E-mail address: | dale@hesnotmymate.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.hesnotmymate.com |
| Comments: | G'day Ivanski. Funnily enough I was talking to the Webmaster yesterday about a trip to Australia I'm making in August and it made me wonder if anyone out there had heard of The Passions, obviously someone has! Did you ever get to see them play at all or is GFS your only contact with the band and their music? Maybe we'll have to meet up for a beer or two when I'm in Sydney towards the end of August and we can have a chat about all things Passions! |
| Name: | Ivanski |
| E-mail address: | ivan@ivan.id.au |
| Comments: | May be it's because I'm turning 40 but GFS still brings me to tears. I can just picture the lonely bar scene. I must have been ahead of my time in music tastes but trapped in the body of a geeky teen kid because at the time nobody else I knew shared the pleasure of The Passions. I've searched for years to hear your music again. Thanx from Sydney, Australia. |
| Name: | dc |
| E-mail address: | dcshell@voila.fr |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/dcshelloffice |
| Comments: | This band was so important for me... Lost in the middle of nowhere, isolated, I used to listen for hours to "Michael&Miranda". This album was a revelation. It's still is... Miracle ! |
| Name: | David Gladwin |
| Comments: | Terrific to find that someone is finally starting a campaign to get The Passions' recordings out there once more. I've made up a couple of discs, adding b-sides and things to the first two albums, using vinyl and (where available) CD, so I can say with certainty that both of these albums, plus the associated b-sides - up to and including Africa Mine and the free live EP - would fit on single discs. Keep on, and do let us know if there's anything we can do to help! |
| Name: | webmaster |
| E-mail address: | webmaster@thepassions.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.thepassions.co.uk |
| Comments: | Hello Rufus, thanks for your kind comments. We love your version of German Film Star, in fact the Passions Central Committee has awarded Soom T and yourself the gold star for best ever cover version! As for the drums, none of the covers have used Richard's original pattern. It is an odd one but we thought it worked at the time. Originally Richard used a sort of shuffle beat but when we came to record the song it became obvious that something harder and sparser was required. |
| Name: | RGP |
| E-mail address: | rufusgpoindexter@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.amstaar.co.uk |
| Comments: | Wow it really takes me back this track there were others in the same ball park ..the lotus eaters,XTC Teardrop explodes but the Passions is the one that takes me back to that time ... Brilliant I hope you like my version of German Film Star I tried to keep it close to the original but felt i needed a straight beat through the track just to give it a slightly dancy edge ,sorry if i upset anyone The single is being pressed as we speak check out www.myspace.com/rufusgpoindexter The video has been shot on a mobile phone looks really interesting it will be going on the myspace site next week i think . anyway take care everyone and lets hear it for the PASSIONS RGP |
| Name: | Dale |
| E-mail address: | dale@hesnotmymate.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.hesnotmymate.com |
| Comments: | Roadent, are you now a famous Hollywood actor or are you back in England doing a "proper" job?!:) Now you've been "outed" can you say in which bar Barbara saw you sitting in a coner in imperfect clothes and were you having to fight the public/fans off with a shitty stick despite not posing?! Were you aware from "day one" that you were the subject of the song? It must be very strange hearing a song about yourself on the radio/TV, especially when virtually nobody else knows it you. I can understand why your not too impressed with having the Foo Fighters singing about you! |
| Name: | roadent |
| E-mail address: | roughler@gmail.com |
| Comments: | Whilst working for the Clash I had been interviewed for a german documentary "Punk in London" After the demise of the Sex Pisto;s the director of that documentaru contacted me and asked if I would like to be in a tv show for german TV " Brennende Langeweile" (burning boredom) featuring The Adverts. It was shite but as I had no means of supporting myself I took the part. After I stayed in Germany, moving to Munich, where I got more work acting for German TV, I always thought I was a crap actor, but they were willing to pay me up to 20,000 marks (around £5,000) a month — who was I to refuse. The biggest film was Das Ding (The Heist) in which me and four mates from the german arnmy stole 250,000,000 marks, but all in %mark pieces. The film was directed by Uli Edel who later went on to direct an equally bad actor — Madonna. I have always been touched by the idea of a song written about me, but not so sure about the Foo Fighters doing the same. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | mmm, are you the German Film Star, Mr Roadent? If so can you enlighten us as to the name of the german film you were in? And Dale's correct, there are no legal Passions downloads availabe at present, but this is a situation we are hoping to rectify. There are at three cover versions of German Film Star on iTunes but not the original. |
| Name: | Dale |
| E-mail address: | dale@hesnotmymate.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.hesnotmymate.com |
| Comments: | Roadent, if you want to donwload the lyrics then all you need to do is highlight them in the Webmaster's post, select "copy" and then "paste" them into Word or whatever your word-processing package is. However, if you want to download a copy of the actual song then I think you'll currently be dissappointed as you're not likely to find any Passions' songs other than possibly GFS on any down-load site, well not legal ones anyway! The Webmaster may correct me here but it's my understanding that it's hoped to get the band's back-catalogue, or as much as possible, released on CD and in digital/download format in the not-too distant future. You can get all sorts of crap from that era in those formats so it would make sense to get some decent stuff made available as well!! :) |
| Name: | roadent |
| E-mail address: | connolly.s@mac.com |
| Comments: | Can I download a copy? |
| Name: | webmaster |
| Comments: | Mr Bunny, I THINK these are the complete lyrics to Sanctuary. What a cracking song, this will be the next featured track I think. Fascinating fact re this track, it was covered by Debbie Bonham (daughter of Jon) in 1986 on Carrere Recods. The lyrics were changed and 'San Salvador' and 'Belfast' became 'southern town' presumably to avoid any 'controversy'! sympathise with the underdog sympathise with the one who has not take the side of the underdog come on come on come on............. sympathise with the underdog I read about it in a Sunday rag colour snaps of a man shot down wore a black gown and the moon rose over San Salvador to the sound of a gun to the sound of the soldiers come to the sound of a gun to the sound of a yankee gun to the sound of a gun oh sanctuary sympathise with the underdog sympathise with the one who has not take the side of the underdog come on come on come on............. and the rain fell on a belfast street to the sound of tramping feet to the sound of the soldiers come to the sound of a gun to the sound of the soldiers come to the sound of a gun oh pray for me I heard a sound is that the home far away? no its just the voice of power the sound of war the sound of war the sound of war sympathise with the underdog I read about it in a Sunday rag colour snaps of a man shot down wore a black gown And the moon rose over El Salvador to the sound of a gun to the sound of the soldiers come to the sound of a gun and the rain fell on a Belfast street And the moon rose over El Salvador to the sound of a gun to the sound of the soldiers come........... And the moon rose over El Salvador |
| Name: | Dale |
| E-mail address: | dale@hesnotmymate.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.hesnotmymate.com |
| Comments: | "The record .................sold more than 130,000 copies in the first few weeks of release. Despite all this and two ‘Top of the Pops’ appearances, it only reached number 25 in the UK charts. Strange but true." How many weeks would it have been at no. 1 if it sold that many today?! The Passions revival starts here - congrats on the site to all involved! |
| Name: | Bobby Bunny |
| E-mail address: | info@ultrabunny.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.ultrabunny.com |
| Comments: | Fabulous idea to start a site for this band! Keep it up (literally) and yes, hope to see some cd's in future! I heard "Sanctuary" on the radio in the US in 1982 and luckily taped it and for 21 years that was one of my favorite songs yet I didnt know the artists name! Then I purely by chance found the 12" single at a record fair and shortly later found all the LPs and now The Passions are in my short list of top bands of all time. Anyone have the official lyrics to "Sanctuary"? There are a few fuzzy parts I never could decipher. |
| Name: | webmaster |
| E-mail address: | webmaster@thepassions.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.thepassions.co.uk |
| Comments: | Hello Ian I'm afraid Michael and Miranda isn't available on CD but we're working on getting all the Passions stuff re-released. Keep an eye on our website for news. |
| Name: | Ian |
| Comments: | Hello, Have any of The Passions albums ever been released on CD?, I got the first album the day it was released way back when and I'm just about to wear out my fourth copy and since the vinyl is now on average £15 I thought it would be more economically viable to search out the CD so is it out there?. regards Ian |