The Passage ‎– Taboos

It was probably around late 1981 when I first heard ‘Taboos’ by The Passage on The Peel Show. From the opening verse I was transfixed. Here was a group writing songs about sexual dysfunction in both a cerebral and humorous way. Most people that have heard of The Passage probably prefer ‘XoYo’ because they are likely to be one of the 120,000+ music lovers (like myself) that bought the Cherry Red classic indie sampler album Pillows and Prayers on which it appeared. The Passage formed March 1978 in Manchester and the band was led by Richard ‘Dick’ Witts, the only ever present member until they split up in 1983. Some say that their early material has been likened to The Fall (not totally a surprise given that The Passage’s first bassist Tony Friel also played bass in The Fall) and like The Fall there was a constant change of line-ups, but that’s where the comparisons end. Unlike The Fall, The Passage are arguably one of the most unsung bands of the 1980s. The ‘Taboos’ single was recorded at Stockport’s Strawberry Studio in August 1981 which brings me neatly (if you want) back to arguably their two greatest songs – ‘Taboos’ and ‘XoYo’ – both about sex but both very different, both musically and lyrically (sexual dysfunction versus sexual liberation). 

Ripped by djjedredy for MyVinylDreams to MP3 @ 320kbps

The Passage; Taboos 12”

A.      Taboos

B.      Taboodub

You can find the 12” of XoYo by clicking here