Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" time, decided to spice up the structure of The Beach Boys by hiring third guitarist Blondie Chaplin, whose soulful singing brought a strong R&B element into the band's sound. Drummer and singer-songwriter Ricky Fataar also joined at this time, as Dennis Wilson had suffered a debilitating hand accident. Both South Africans, Blondie and Ricky were discovered by Carl while playing in seminal South African band the Flames in London, c. 1969. The album sees the Beach Boys entering a period of roots-based rock. Not long after the sessions began, Bruce Johnston had a falling out with manager Jack Rieley and
The Passions (UK band) punk rock outfit the Derelicts. After a name change to Rivers of Passion, soon shortened to the Passions, Dyde was replaced by Timperley (formerly of the 101ers). The Passions' first single, issued in March 1979 on the Soho label, was "Needles and Pills" (written by Dyde), which assisted in gaining the band a recording contract with Fiction Records. By the time the band recorded the first of three Peel sessions in November 1979, Barker had departed and Gogan took over as lead vocalist. "Michael & Miranda", the band's debut album, was released 18 April 1980, preceded by second single "Hunted".