Between 1979 and 1981, they released three singles and recorded a number of original and Slade songs, which were collected on the 1992 album A Day in the Life of the Dummies.
During the "lean years" of the late 1970s, the band continued recording and touring, but were met with limited chart success and resistance on radio.
Jim Lea wished to find out whether it was his and lead vocalist Noddy Holder's songwriting or simply a reluctance from DJs to play Slade material.
The pair then re-recorded the song in March 1979, with Slade drummer Don Powell providing tambourine.
By the time it was re-released on Pye Records in January 1980, "When the Lights Are Out" was at the end of its airplay run and subsequently failed to chart.
[10] Although their version of Slade's "Nobody's Fool" was originally announced as the next single,[11] the idea was scrapped once they had more material recorded.
Featuring Jim's wife Louise on backing vocals, the single was released in August 1980 on Cheapskate.
[14] In September, the trio appeared on the UK BBC1 show Multi-Coloured Swap Shop to perform the song.
While it still retained airplay, Dave Robinson of Stiff Records offered to release the single, but negotiations broke down.