As The Newtown Neurotics, the band began their career playing punk heavily indebted stylistically to The Clash and The Ramones. They released a series of singles from 1979 – later collected on the album "45 Revolutions per Minute" – and debut album "Beggars Can Be Choosers" in 1983. Over the course of the 1980s, the band dropped the "Newtown" from its name and became simply The Neurotics; along with the name change came a stylistic broadening, including slower tempos and horn arrangements. They released several albums on noted UK postpunk label Jungle Records including "Repercussions" in 1986 and "Is Your Washroom Breeding Bolsheviks" in 1988.