By mid-1980, The Steroids had made their live debut at Wellington’s Rock Theatre and quickly became a fixture on the local circuit, opening for national heavyweights The Dudes and Citizen Band. Their first single, “Mr Average / Out of Control,” appeared in November 1980 on the short-lived White Light Records, produced by Peter Blake at Marmalade Studios. The band’s energetic post-punk sound and sharp social edge earned them support slots for visiting international acts including Cheap Trick, Graham Parker and The Rumour, and The Boomtown Rats.

The Steroids hit their stride in 1981, performing at the Sweetwaters Festival alongside Roxy Music, Cold Chisel, and INXS, as well as local contemporaries like Flight X7 and Penknife Glides. Not long after, drummer Robbie Holmes departed and was replaced by Leo Keane. July saw the release of their second single, “Credit Card / It Ain’t Easy,” on Bunk Records. The Rip It Up review praised the record’s “nimble bass, snappy drumming and intelligent use of punky fuzz guitar.”

In April 1981, Jimson organised Wellingtonzone, a landmark concert at Wellington Town Hall featuring The Steroids, The Digits, Beat Rhythm Fashion, and The Mockers. The packed-out event, later released as a live compilation album, spotlighted the capital’s post-punk talent and highlighted the lack of local venues for new bands. A follow-up Wellingtonzone in July was less successful, ending in police intervention and controversy involving The Digits’ onstage antics.

The Steroids toured the North Island through late 1981, performing at Auckland’s Mainstreet with The Swingers, before releasing their third single, “Shadows,” in November. By year’s end, the band members were ready to evolve beyond Wellington’s scene. Their farewell performances took place over three nights at The Terminus, marking the end of The Steroids but the beginning of something new.

After the split, Jimson and Drey formed the pioneering synth-pop group The Body Electric, who found national success in 1982 with the hit single “Pulsing.” Both went on to notable careers in music production and engineering, Jimson famously producing OMC’s global hit “How Bizarre”, while Drey later joined Flesh D-Vice in the late 1980s.