Sam Holliday in anticipation, in his round-up of 1987, predicted The D.H.S.S. to be a 'band for 1988' and voted the Armchair as Lyricist of the Year (of course). Packaged Pleasure was released in January. The three tracks: The D.H.S.S., Rewind and Sweet Sixteen were linked by Quay's sampled delights. The accompanying merchandise of t-shirts, badges and benefit cards added to the popularity.

April 10th 1988, the first gig for the band was as support to Wolfsbane, at the Arts Centre, Kraze were also on the bill. The gig was a fantastic success, probably one of the best debut gigs the town has ever seen. It was also the scene of the greatest media hoax in Tamworth's history. The Armchair's Father had died a year earlier and one of the songs performed was Body on a Slab, a tale of family hypocrisy at the death of a loved one. The Armchair took his Father's ashes on stage, merely for demonstration purposes - but also to use as part of the rhythm section! Being very friendly with a Daily Star journalist, the band created the story that the Armchair had 'hurled his Father's ashes over the audience'. This tale was supported by Arts Centre Management and by locals prepared to comment on how shocked they had been. The hoax worked wonderfully. The local MP was quizzed and was suitably aghast. Local newspapers clammered to get a quote from the Armchair (who by this time was in hiding). The story appeared on Teletext and local radio, with listeners asked 'And what do you do with your relatives ashes? Keep them on the wardrobe, prop open the greenhouse, or do you throw them over a crowd of music lovers - just for fun?' Anthony Wilson commented on late night T.V. 'Isn't it great to see that the spirit of punk is alive and kicking'. To quote the Armchair himself 'manipulate the media, nothing could be easier, breaking all the rules, use the media fools'. Ha, Ha, Ha such larks!

Of course there were also negative aspects to this stunt. The Armchair's family disowned him and women on the street pointed fingers and whispered behind there hands about how sick he was. For the benefit of the local community, the Armchair gave a front-page exclusive to the Tamworth Herald revealing that it was all a hoax and all done for valid reasons.

In early May, the band played their second gig, a 'benefit' concert at The Tavern in the Town - the good cause - an incubation unit at the local hospital - how sweet! The band went down a storm and it was free beer all night, hic! In mid-May, Eddie dusted down his trusty wing-back armchair and supported Bop Baroque at the Arts Centre, and the band prepared for the upcoming Rock Festival.

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