Commercially, the band had little success and only released one single, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" backed with "No Rules")[4] and one album, Noise Addiction, which was unreleased for 28 years.
In 2012, Pure Hell reformed to play their first gig since 1979 at the Rebellion Festival at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool alongside Rancid, Buzzcocks, Public Image Ltd and Social Distortion.
Even a well-received UK tour and an appearance alongside the ascendant Subs at the Lyceum couldn't stop them splitting on their return stateside.
Some of their tracks, particularly “The Girl With The Hungry Eyes”, (about Nancy Spungen, who charismatic lead singer Kenny Gordon knew from his schooldays) verge on proto-hardcore punk.
In 2016, an acetate record with two of their songs, "Wild One" and "Courageous Cat" went for sale on eBay, where it was purchased by Henry Rollins and released on his label.