It’s time to get Retro!

Aug 27 2008 by Jonathan Geddes, Rutherglen Reformer

A LOCAL band will take a step back in time this weekend when they open the Retrofest festival.

At the peak of their fame, post-punk outfit Passionate Friends played alongside Rod Stewart at Ibrox and were a regular fixture on the Glasgow gig scene.

Now they’re back and looking forward to kickstarting the three-day bash at Strathclyde Country Park, which is headlined by the Bangles and Boy George.

The group’s bassist Allan MacNeill, who lives in Cambuslang, said: “Live music was always our forte back in the ’80s.

“We played with the Police for a few dates and Rod Stewart, so we’re looking forward to playing Retrofest.

“We first started rehearsing again back in April and from then to June we were practising.

“Our first gig back was at the Beat Club and it was a bit nervy at first.

“A lot of the clubs and pubs around are so different now in terms of gear and what‘s required, I don’t know how young bands survive!”

It was 1983 when Passionate Friends first burst onto the Scottish music scene with self-financed single “Time Bandits”.

The song lifted the band from the Glasgow pub scene to that Ibrox appearance, where they opened for Rod Stewart in front of 30,000 fans.

From there, the six-piece signed a deal with MCA Records and went on to appear alongside the likes of Scots legends Big Country and Runrig, as well as Nik Kershaw.

After their Retrofest appearance, the group’s thoughts will turn from past memories to the future.

Allan explained: “There’s been a good response to us getting back together, with the ‘80s revival thing that’s going on.

“We’ve released an EP called Stealing Seconds that’s got Time Bandits on it, plus a couple of B-sides from the 80s and a live recording from the Nik Kershaw tour.

“After the gig we’re going to sit down and just take it from there. Next year we’re hoping to play at a lot more festivals.”

Retrofest runs for three days, starting this Friday.

After last year’s successful bash, the event has moved to a new location but still claims to be featuring the best ’80s and ’90s acts.

In addition to the Friday night acts, which are rounded off by Four Good Men, The Bangles top the main stage bill on Saturday, with Boy George headlining on Sunday.

Other acts include Kim Wilde, Boney.M, Paul Young and Cambuslang’s own Midge Ure.

Weekend camping passes for the festival cost £95, weekend tickets are priced at £80 and day tickets cost £45.

l More information on Passionate Friends can be found on their Myspace site.