Belgian post-punk band the Names were originally called the Passengers, electing to change their name just prior to the release of their first single in 1978. The group first came together in late 1977, with drummer Mike S. Christophe den Tandt, guitarists Marc Deprez and Robert Franckson, vocalist Isabelle Hanrez, and bassist Michel Sordinia eventually filling out the lineup. Franckson and Hanrez would leave by the beginning of 1978, with Sordinia taking over on vocals.