After extensive auditions they chose Bernie Marsden to play electric guitar and Paul Martinez as the band's bassist.

The band recorded their debut album Malice in Wonderland at Musicland Studios in Munich in September and October 1976.

The music included elements of rhythm and blues, funk and soul, with several tracks featuring a brass section and backing vocals from Sheila and Jeanette McKinley.

300 guests were invited and Tony Ashton was backed by artists including Lord, Paice, Marsden, Whitesnake's Neil Murray, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey and actor Ewan McGregor.

Malice in Wonderland was re-released on CD in 2001 by Purple Records and 2019 by earMUSIC, each with an additional thirty minutes of songs intended for the unreleased second album.

The earMUSIC release includes an extensive 24-page-booklet with new liner notes by Simon Robinson and previously unseen photos by Alan Messer.