Passengers, The

Fronted by Angie Pepper, Aussie band The Passengers featured The Visitor’s bass player Steve Harris on keyboards and Jim Dickson, formerly of Brisbane Who/Kinks-inspired trio The Survivors, on bass.

Incorporating an early ’60s Girl Group vibe into the standard late ’70s Sydney influences (covers ran from The Shangri-Las’ Remember (Walking in The Sand) to The Standells‘ Riot On Sunset Strip), The Passengers measured up well to Blondie comparisons, and their posthumous single, Face With No Name, was the first release on the new Phantom imprint.

Taken from a quickie session at Palm, its mix of high energy (prepare for take-off during Harris’s organ solo) and teen melodrama comes up a treat despite the rough recording.

Angie went on to front her own group with her by-then husband Deniz Tek (ex-Radio Birdman) in 1981, featuring Clyde Bramley (Hoodoo Gurus) on bass. A solitary single was released, Frozen World b/w Why Tell Me?, on the Citadel label in 1984.

Jim Dickson returned briefly to Brisbane before splitting to England and joining The Barracudas, and guitarist/songwriter Jeff Sullivan picked up where The Passengers left off with Flaming Hands.

Angie Pepper
Vocals
Steve Harris
Keyboards
Jim Dickson
Bass
Jeff Sullivan
Guitar
Jerry Jones
Drums