After the tour, the band was signed by Nervous Records to record the first album. Peltier was convinced by the record deal to rejoin. Peltier moved to London, and the band was living in a squat. The Quakes began playing around London, and made their debut at legendary psychobilly club, the Klubfoot, on June 4, 1988. The last half of 1988 saw the release of their self-titled debut, The Quakes, For the recording Roy Williams of Nervous Records teamed the band with producer Paul "Doc" Stewart, who chose to record and mix the tracks at Opaz Studio in Hackney, in East London. Stewart also co-engineered the album and shot the cover pictures using the nom de plume of Stewart Barker for the photo credit. Peltier and Hoy ended up quitting and returning to Buffalo after a planned tour of Europe by “Doc” Stewart never happened. Roman stayed in London and began a new band, Paul Roman and the Prowlers, with the Rattlers' bassist Nick Peck. Shortly after returning to Buffalo, Dave Hoy was struck by a car while crossing the highway and killed a week before his 18th birthday.