The gigs and shows played by the Ramones between 1977 & 1980 were perhaps the finest they ever performed. Despite having, during their 22 year career, played live over 2000 times - more than The Grateful Dead ever did, and without all the hoo-ha - it was the three years following the release of the group s debut album on the Sire label (issued in February 1976) that their most electric, dynamic and passionate live appearances took place. The recording and release of The Ramones had instilled a communal confidence in the group and this translated into making their shows less chaotic, somewhat longer and certainly featuring a lot more new material than had ever surfaced prior to the album coming out.