[1] They also scored a minor hit with their 1978 single "In Love",[3] which received Radio 1 airplay and became a favourite of the late John Peel, a long-time champion of underground music.
After meeting at college Gareth, Graham and Marc noted a shared interest in bands such as The Damned, The Who and The Sex Pistols, and formed The Plague in the autumn of 1976.
By early 1977 The Plague were playing locally, soon securing a regular slot at the Battersea Arts Centre – initially as support to musical-play "The Food Show".
The headmaster demanded an apology from The Plague, which was unforthcoming, so from that point onward they were banned from all ILEA venues – rather a fitting and appropriate state of affairs for a hungry teenage punk band in 1977.
[1] Having recorded their first demo (containing such embryonic examples of their sound as: "Again and Again", "On The Dole", and "Nightmares") [1] The Plague began their long-standing relationship with The Roxy club, playing shows with such punk luminaries as the UK Subs and Slaughter and the Dogs.
It was during this time that the band wrote many songs including "Spies", "Personality Clash", "No Strings Attached", "End of the World", "Politician" and "Nuffin' Doing".
[1] After The Roxy closed The Plague remained active, playing at the Institute of Psychiatry, Camberwell, and Toyah Willcox's club night "Mayhem".
[1] It was reported by Music Week in the December 1, 1979 issue that Ben Nisbet's and Ronnie Beck's publishing company had placed the "Wimpey Bar Song" and other masters of The Plague with the Evolution label.
[1] Following a resurgence of interest in original punk rock, Detour Records contacted the band in 2004 regarding the compilation of all The Plague's various demos and singles onto one vinyl/CD album.
The result was The X Tapes ((p) and (c) 2005 Bin Liner Records), containing the following tracks:[5] The Plague got back together in 2005 when Gareth and Greg, who had remained in-touch, contacted Marc.