Don Gordon and Gary Smith joined together to form Images In Vogue with Kevin Crompton and Joe Vizvary in April 1981 out of common interests in synthesizer-based music and the many types of post-punk experimental music coming from England. Rather than playing in bars around Vancouver, the band decided to concentrate on writing and recording. By September 1981, IIV had released two well-received 5 song demo-tapes to college radio and local DJs.

The band made its live debut September 26, 1981 at “Elektra-- Vancouver’s First Fashion Dance.” That October IIV entered Water Street Studios to record their first EP. After their second concert, at the Luvafair in December 1981, popular local club DJ Kim Clarke Champniss became the band’s manager. Around that time, Gary and Kevin had seen Dale Martindale at a local club and asked through mutual friends whether he might be interested in singing in the band. A meeting was arranged, and Kim’s first act as manager was to replace original vocalist Gary Johnson with Dale.