The group toured with Nico, serving as both backing group and support act. This new line-up recorded a debut album called The Greatest Hit (Money Mountain), which sold 10,000 copies. Phillip Toby Toman, an ex-member of The Durutti Column, joined on drums when Ian Rogers left the group after the Echo & the Bunnymen tour (he later went on to play for Primal Scream under the name Toby Tomanov). Alastair 'Baz' Murphy was recruited to play keyboards on the tour as Baines was ill. The band's music came to the attention of Echo & the Bunnymen, who subsequently invited Blue Orchids to be the support act for its 1981 UK tour. 'Work' was much liked by BBC DJ John Peel who played it regularly and the group was invited to record a Peel session for his show. In February 1981 the group released its second single 'Work'. After this release Steve Toyne left the band and Rick Goldstraw took over the bass. The band signed to Rough Trade Records and in November 1980 released its debut single, a double A-side, 'The Flood'/'Disney Boys'. John Cooper Clarke suggested the name 'The Blessed Orchids' but according to Bramah, Goldstraw mis-remembered it as 'The Blue Orchids' and the name stuck. Having left the Fall, Bramah teamed up with another two former Fall members, keyboardist Una Baines, and guitarist Rick Goldstraw, as well as bassist Steve Toyne and drummer Ian Rogers (AKA Joe Kin).

Blue orchid album