In 1977, spurred by the prevailing DIY aesthetics of the British punk rock movement (then at the height of its popularity), Martin Mills and Nick Austin founded a record label to release records under the Beggars Banquet imprint.[1] The first band on the label was the English punk group the Lurkers; the first release on the label was the Lurkers' 7" single "Shadow"/"Love Story".[1] They also released the first solo "Duffo" album from Australian big-band vocalist Jeff Duff. Later in the decade and into the early 1980s, hits with Tubeway Army and Gary Numan secured the label's future.[1] Other bands who were signed to the label include the Associates, Bauhaus, the Cult, Flesh for Lulu, Gene Loves Jezebel, the Icicle Works and the Go-Betweens.[citation needed]
