in to help out. During these sessions a chance remark by Charley Charles would later give the name of the Blockheads to the band; while reading the words to the song "Blockheads", the name stuck after the Stiff tour; exactly how is the source of some disagreement. Release and promotion Attempts to find a record label to publish the completed album were initially unsuccessful. Dury's lack of commercial appeal and his unorthodox look worked against him even in the year of the punk rock explosion. It was eventually licensed to Stiff Records, who leased office space directly below the offices of Blackhill Management. Stiff already had Elvis Costello and the Damned on their books, and would go on to score hits not only with Dury, but with Madness, the Pogues, Kirsty MacColl and others. Licensing the album meant there would be no question of who owned it, or its masters. New Boots and Panties!! was released on 30 September 1977, following the release of the single "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll". The single was not a commercial success, nor was it included on the album's original pressing (Dury expressed a strong desire for singles not to be included on the album, and therefore the song and its B-side "Razzle in My Pocket" were omitted) although a later pressing included the track, uncredited, at the start of the second side of the album. At that time it was quite normal to issue 'stand alone singles' and public reaction to the album was unaffected. The album did not reach the top of the UK Albums Chart but it did go platinum on 4 June 1979. Its much softer follow-up, Do It Yourself, would reach number two. Artwork The photograph for the album's cover was taken by Chris Gabrin outside Axfords underwear and lingerie shop at 306 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Westminster, close to Victoria Station. Gabrin's Mini van and the Woolworths store on the opposite side of the road can be seen reflected in the shop window, although Gabrin was careful to position himself so that Dury would hide his own reflection. The child next to Dury on the cover photograph is his son Baxter Dury. Ian Dury said Baxter ran into shot just as the photograph was taken, but in adulthood Baxter said the photograph appears too posed to be impromptu. Gabrin said, "I only shot 24 exposures and Baxter