After initial plans to use drummers from The Weather Prophets and Thee Hypnotics for the recording of "Playing with Fire", a permanent drummer was recruited in late August: Jonny Mattock. Despite this, he does not appear on "Playing with Fire" – a drum machine was used on all of the songs and no drummer is credited on the album. Mattock had been playing in a Northampton band called The Apple Creation. He was recommended by future Spacemen 3 guitarist Mark Refoy. Mattock made his live debut on 24 August at a gig at the Riverside in Hammersmith, London, and contributed to the new album. The new rhythm section of Carruthers and Mattock would remain constant for the rest of Spacemen 3's existence.