Legend, and many magazine articles, has it that Rokko, also known as Sham Morris, exchanged a shovel and a roof rack that he found, plus five pounds cash, for a guitar in a thrift shop. He busked around Europe and the London Underground, until he met with childhood friend Lushi (Jerry). They decided to form a band which they called the Reptiles. Another name in the hat was Foolish John, a familiar saying (to them!). Around 1980, guitarist Colin Minchin (Lin), was introduced to the band by crazy mad jazz guitarist Billy Jenkins, and along with John the Bomb on bass and Dom (from Poland) on drums. They played for a year or two before fizzling out. Rokko had previously played with a band called the Jive Bureaux who had an album out in 1978 called Stick It, and Lushi had played in Splodgenessabounds under the name of Thornton Heath.

Another year down the road, Rokko reformed a band with Lushi, Lin and Steve Nicol (ex Eddie and the Hot Rods). Along with manager Pete MacCarthy, they plumped for the Romany sounding name of One the Juggler, the first card in the Tarot pack, something to which Rokko proclaimed interest.

In the early summer of 1982, with the new line up, and Ian Trimmer on saxophone, they recorded a four track demo at a local studio in Greenwich, South London, and had so much interest from record companies that they had to employ a lawyer to sort out their affairs.

“A brand new fashion to a 60’s beat”

With a fantastically sharp and energetic sound, an antiqued gypsy look of hats earrings and braided waistcoats, paisley trousers, (both Rokko and Lushi claiming to have genuine gypsy blood) and a catalogue of songs, written mostly by Rokko, some by Lushi, they went for the Regard (a subsidiary of RCA) deal, they felt that they were genuinely appreciated there.

The beginning of 1983, after a weeks tour in Israel, one gig supporting Marc Almond, brought the much awaited release of their first single Passion Killer on 7 and 12”. Aided by a Don Letts (famed for amongst other things, his work with the Clash) video which is said to have cost £15,000, which was aired on the Tube (the legendary Jools Holland hosted music programme), on the same night as a live appearance on the Oxford Roadshow, hosted by big fan, Peter Powell. The single was produced by the respectable Chris Thomas, who’d worked for the Pretenders and Roxy Music. It was only a minor hit, reaching the top 60, but received rave reviews.

Billy Jenkins replaced Lin on guitar for a couple of months, causing a stir on stage with his crazy caveman antics at London's Marquee Club in Wardour Street, and going by the name of Django Clang. Not wanting to go back on the road at this point, he took over Rokko's job running Wood Wharf Rehearsal Studios in Greenwich, and Lin was asked to return.

After already having been show- cased at the Elvis Costello 1982 Christmas shows, they were to make guest appearance at two Eurythmics' shows, and a Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul show, before releasing a second single.

“You were the one we all heard about”

Damage is Done, produced by Steve Short, received no chart success, but a cult following was amassing and rumours of their exciting live performances were making their way through the grape vine.