The Passions

This English post-punk band, with definite pop leanings, was formed in June 1978 and comprised Barbara Gogan (b. Dublin, Eire; vocals/guitar), Mitch Barker (vocals), Clive Timperley (guitar, /vocals), Claire Bidwell (bass/vocals) and Richard Williams (drums). All save Timperley had featured in Rivers Of Passion, while all except Bidwell had spent time in the various incarnations of the Derelicts between 1974 and 1976. During this time, Timperley also played with Joe Strummer’s 101ers. Gogan left her Dublin home at the age of 18 and settled in France within a Marxist commune. She came to London in 1972 and moved into a ‘squat’ near Ladbroke Grove, where she became involved with the Derelicts, a loose collection of like-minded left-wingers. Evolving into the Passions, they released their first single, ‘Needles And Pins’, on the tiny Soho label, also home of the Nips and the Inmates. They lost Barker in 1979 when a broken leg halted his musical activities. Continuing as a four-piece they signed to Fiction Records for their debut album and one single, ‘Hunted’. Bidwell left in July 1980 to form Schwarze Kapelle and then joined the Wall. David Agar, once a member of the fledgling Spandau Ballet, replaced her. Three days later, they were dropped by Fiction but fell immediately on their feet with a contract for Polydor Records. The Passions finally found success in 1981 with their second single for the label, ‘I’m In Love With A German Film Star’. It would be their only hit, despite the eloquence and strength of later material. Timperley left to run a health shop in December 1981, while the recruitment of Kevin Armstrong (ex-Local Heroes SW9) on guitar and Jeff Smith (ex-Lene Lovich band) on keyboards failed to put the brakes on their commercial slide. Armstrong himself left in August 1982 to be replaced by Steve Wright.