Like most bands, Gags did a number of support slots for bigger acts, including Suzi Quatro, Camel, Edgar Broughton, Darts and Supercharge.

Famously, though, they remember the night where they were bumped off their support slot by a band who went on to enjoy wide international fame. As John explains, ‘We’d been booked to do warm up for some new American band who no one had ever heard of – turns out they were called REM. The venue, The Gallery on Peter Street, was tiny, and when we arrived it was explained to us our services were no longer required. To this day, I’m still wondering who nobbled us. That Michael Stipe has a lot to answer for.’

Warm up slots worked the other way around, too. At one gig, at The Squat, Manchester University, Gags were supported by Warsaw, the forerunner of Joy Division. ‘They didn’t do too badly for themselves after that,’ says Brendan, ‘but I hardly think we can take any of the credit.’

John Cooper Clarke also featured in an early New Manchester Review line up of local talent headlined by Gags.