in early 1966 they issued their debut single, "answer the phone," on the jerden label. the group were then signed to mgm records and would release their second and best-known single, "bring your own self down," which was composed by tandyn almer, who later achieved success with "along comes mary." in 1967 they recorded their final mgm single, a rendition of laura nyro's "poverty train." they also recorded two songs love tunes "can't explain" and "no matter what you do" which were never officially released. the purple gang broke up in mid-1967.