The reformed Battered Wives, consisting of Toby Swann (guitar and vocals), Larry "Jasper" Klassen (bass and vocals), John Gibb (guitar) and Cleave Anderson (drums),[6][7][8] released their first album, Battered Wives in 1978.
Despite their name, and the fact that women's groups were picketing their concerts, the album sold 50,000 copies in Canada and was certified gold.
[10] Anderson was averse to the negative attention and left the band; he was replaced by drummer Patrick Mooney.
[12][13] By now, there was considerable heat surrounding their name—and their logo, which was a clenched fist with the lipstick impression of a bleeding mouth.
The group Women Against Violence Against Women had already picketed a record store that was selling their albums; when the band's 13-city tour with Elvis Costello and The Attractions was announced, the group booked a demonstration at Toronto's O'Keefe Centre and the band's manager claimed that they had received death threats.