Formed in the grim dark days of the latter half of the 80s, Passion-Play have always been an either/or sort of band: either Tony Nicholson is wallowing in gothic sadness or he's licking sticky-sweet cotton-candy pop from his sugar coated fingers.
They recorded a live album, a popular cassette sold at gigs, got radio play and gigs up and down the UK and they met the 90s in buoyant mood but nevertheless, one year in they split.
In the intervening years songs were written only to exist in vaporous rumour, demoed to quietly lie in sheltered darkness until 2012 came along and something incredible happened.
The original master of the live album was re-mastered and cleaned and the results were surprisingly good – so it was released for free download from their bandcamp site and made available for streaming. In a few short weeks it gained over 2000 plays prompting the band to reform. 
In rehearsals the magic was incredible as long dormant songs just sprang into life and soon they were gigging again both acoustic and electric style.
Now they are three and have new recordings (the old songs re-imagined) together with brand new as they prepare to release a new album and ep.

Somewhere between Gothic glam and post punk power pop, 
Passion-Play make real their songs of darkness and dismay. 
Charting desire, obsession, lust and murder their ouvré gives vent to all human frailties.
Give yourself up to your desires! 
Bare your neck - they promise to bite!!

Actor, writer, director, musician and general Muppet...


One of South Yorkshire's most talented local musicians - James Taplin performs with deep passion and often total abandon, captivating audiences large and small across the country.

James has little knowledge of modern marketing or networking and, finding self-promotion very uncomfortable, chooses instead to keep the tradition of the itinerant entertainer alive and well through frequent gigs and word-of-mouth. Whilst his musicianship is solid what keeps people coming back is the incredible tone of his singing. No other artist expels air with such commitment and emotion and there's a reason people call him 'The Voice'.

Playing a huge ensemble of hand-picked, left-field covers as well as a growing number of diverse and catchy originals, James is the embodiment of good-hearted music from his lion's mane to his sneaker feet.

Frontman of blues-rock outfit Smoking Beagles, James just wants to play and write great music, and the team of musicians he's assembled are similarly minded. The net result of all this love for the job means of course that they are a lot of fun, if a bit mischievous.

Lead vox/rhythm: JAMES TAPLIN; Lead guitar: TOM LOWBRIDGE; Keys/vox: GARY DRAKETT; Blues harp: MICK HOLMES; Bass: MATT McCORMACK; Drums: RICHARD STOTT.

[Smoking Beagles does not endorse animal testing.]

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