So when the infamous show place happened at the Roundhouse, it's a good chance most of the people were there to see the Flaming Groovies. At that time the band was located in Europe and playing soldout shows to rave reviews. It's possible given what Strummer was doing at the time with 101ers he was there to check them out.
There are two major phases of Flaming Groovies career. The early years up until 71 when Roy Loney was in the group and groups sound more blues rock oriented. After Roy left orginial member Cyril Jordan took the band sounds to a more polished British Invasion sound. In 1976 the band released "Shake Some Action" at a time when corporate 70s rock ruled the charts. The Flaming Grooves stood out with their rock n' roll minimalism, much like the punks that followed them.
Listening to "Teenage Head" and "Slow Death" from the early years, one can't help but think that NYC Bands like the Dolls, The Dictators, and Television were checking them out. The latter more pop stuff sets the blueprint for future power pop records.
"Groovies Greatest Grooves" does a good god of compling the bands output on Sire Records between 76 to 80. It emphasises the bands orginial over the bands covers. It only includes a couple of the legendary pre 71 cuts.
One point to remember "Never Mind The Bollocks" was in part a collection of early singles with some new tracks.
