 The band played their first concert at the "Hope and Anchor" pub in Islington, London on 15 October 1976.Among the crowd were Mick Jones, Billy Idol, Tony James and Gene October.After a few concerts, The Boys signed to NEMS in January 1977, and at that time the only British punk band to have a record deal - the Sex Pistols having been sacked by EMI on 6 January 1977 and the Damned having initially signed a one single deal with Stiff for New Rose, which had been released in October 1976.