The attraction of free university grants ultimately led to the Leeds trio fetching up in Manchester. This time, a new name, a new direction; they were going to take it seriously (or more seriously than before).

Recruiting local drummer, Bernie Nuttall, the newly named Gags made its debut at the Don International Brake Linings Social Club in Blackley in late ’76 (an unlikely venue booked by their self-appointed manager – and Bernie’s father – Barney). They didn’t go down very well but it was to be the last muted audience reception they’d receive for the next twenty years.

The Cavalcade residency in Didsbury in January ’77 came next and lit the blue touch paper - by the end of the year Gags were playing three times a week around the city, putting the rock into pub rock in a succession of legendary boozers including The Sale Hotel, The Lamplight in Chorlton, The Midland Hotel in Didsbury, The Wrecker in Blackley and The Boundary in Oldham.

The set at this stage leaned heavily towards self-penned tracks, many of which would ultimately show up on their debut album. By now the sound was very much Cream and Clapton-inspired, with Gore’s influence shifting them further in the R & B direction.