As if anyone's interested... A Step By Step Guide To Singer/Songwriter Ian Passey.

Way back in 1990, bespectacled guitarist Ian helped form indie guitar janglers Smedley along with Ian Darkes (drums), Neil Davis (bass), and Peter Gardner (vocals). Rising from the ashes of various school bands, it was time to hone their craft and start gigging. Often seen supporting Goth groups around the Midlands.

As the band came to an end, Passey (aka Paz) again teamed up with Darkes (aka Bulbs) in the madcap pop duo Professor Yaffle. They went on to release the critically acclaimed album Boing Boing Yaffle Yaffle, described by those in the know, as "The sound of Summer '93"

After 12 months spent busking his way around the world, Ian returned to the UK and promptly formed Jackpot. Joined by Chris Guillaume (bass) and Steve Watkins (drums), the popular mod-ish three piece released a string of classic singles before spitting in 1997.

Passey then came up with a complete new batch of songs for his next project - fronting flamboyant Britpoppers Swagger. Helped out by Steve Breen (bass), Tom Lewis (drums), and Robin Pitt (guitar), they both amazed and intrigued audiences before bowing out in style at The Water Rats, Kings Cross.

After selling his former trademark Rickenbacker guitar to fund the purchase of home recording equipment, Passey began laying the foundations for what was to become The Humdrum Express. The DIY punk ethic moves on.

In May 2005, The Humdrum Express released the debut album All Aboard. Following a major record label scramble, Passey signed to Liverpool based Chromium Records two months later. Out With The In Crowd was then released as a download single in October.

A live return followed, gigging with Bob Mould, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, I Ludicrous and The Wombats before the release of second album Little Victories on 29th March, 2007. The Humdrum Express went on to perform in The Banyan Tree Cafe at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival before releasing the What You See E.P. in October.

More dates followed, including supports with two of his heroes, Vic Godard and Half Man Half Biscuit. Another four song E.P. - What A Carry On! - was released in the Autumn of 2008.

2009 saw over 30 live dates completed and the August release of The New Dr Who E.P.

Work then started on album number three, Elevation Of Trivia, which was released in November 2010. The year ended on a high with dates supporting John Cooper Clarke.

To Be Continued................

Eric Cameron.