The debut album of The Beat (not the UK band, but the U.S. band lead by Paul Collins) was released in October of ’79, close to 1980. I think they are considered part of the New Wave, but what they were was a Power Pop Band, as were The Plimsouls. And that is funny, as both Paul Collins and The Plimsouls’ Peter Case were in a Group prior to those two Bands named The Nerves. The Nerves were a trio, the third member being Jack Lee, the writer of Blondie’s hit "Hanging On The Telephone" (which was included on the Nerves 7" EP).
Anyway, The Plimsouls were a good live band, The Beat a great one. And I mean great! I saw them at The Whiskey A Go Go on Sunset Blvd. a few times, and my God did they rock! They were like Cheap Trick on steroids, or like The Beatles as played by The Who. One of the most exciting live Bands I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, they were also a Band with only one great album in them. The second one wasn't nearly as good as the first, and it was downhill from there. Original guitarist Larry Whitman committed suicide in '97.