Welcome!
The musical vehicle for singer/songwriter Ian Passey...
Regularly championed by BBC 6 Music and 'famed' for withering critique, The Humdrum Express breezily delivers offbeat observation, social commentary and sharp wit; fused with familiar cultural references, surreal characters and subtle puns.
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Sometimes solo, sometimes with full band.
Seven studio albums and one book of lyrics/poetry/musings to date...
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Solo gigs mix fast-paced, wordy acoustic folk with deliciously acerbic poems and irreverent chat.
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Full band shows are an eclectic blend of exhilarating indie clatter and joyful, sardonic cheer.
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Run-of-the-mill song subjects include…
Professional Lookalikes
Football Manager Fashion
Manscaping
People Who’ve Built Pubs in their Gardens
Trypanophobia
Gig Chatterers
Goalkeepers who Never Play
Watching Music Festivals on TV
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"Brilliant, observationally...
part of me just wants to stand up and applaud"
- Steve Lamacq
"The Humdrum Express (singer/songwriter Ian Passey) continues to document the quirks of modern times in a unique and infectious manner" - Rhythm & Booze
11 (Eleven!) Humdrum Express singles - Festival At Home, Cryptic Self Pity, Double Edged Swords, Copy Cats, Leopard Print Onesie, E-Petition, Online Beer Club, Motivational Wall Art, Denim In The Dugout, Christmas With Evan Dando and The Gig Chatterer - have been championed by Steve Lamacq on his BBC Radio 6 Music drive time show.
Previous gigs include dates with John Cooper Clarke, Bob Mould, Ian McCulloch, Half Man Half Biscuit, The Wedding Present, Hugh Cornwell, She Drew The Gun and The Wombats.
Ian performed a live session on BBC 6 Music on 30th Jan 2019.
"A new cure for insomnia that's more than just a myth
Audio books by former Arsenal striker Alan Smith"
"The Humdrum Express are tuneful, eclectic and absolutely bloody hilarious - the missing link between Billy Bragg and Half Man Half Biscuit" - The Morning Star
Album discography...
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All Aboard (2005)
Little Victories (2007)
Elevation Of Trivia (2010)
Clone Town Blues (2013)
The Day My Career Died (2016)
Ultracrepidarian Soup (2020)
Forward Defensive (2022)
