The first incarnation of ABC called 'Vice Versa' wasn't a seen as a credible band by most of the Sheffield scene. So when in 1980, after their change over from Vice Versa to ABC, they did their first gig at Psalter Lane Art College in Sheffield, they took everybody by surprise.
Quote Martyn Ware ( HL/ Heaven 17):
"I thought they were brilliant, it was really what we wanted to be doing."

Things happened quickly from then on. They soon released 'Lexicon of Love' and enjoyed worldwide success.

abcmartinfry - official abc site with info on vice versa