the bands with whom certain general appeared in the early- and mid-eighties is a veritable list of many of the top independent rock bands of the era: green on red, rain parade, mission of burma, gun club, oingo boingo, new order, rank and file, the rezillos, the bongos, the nails, gang of four, r.e.m., the sisters of mercy, way of the west, medium medium, and raybeats. in the context of playing as the opener, certain general built a much-deserved reputation for surpassing those they were supporting. they became a force to be reckoned with. in a review of an appearance in salt lake city, the "salt lake city tribune" reported that "after new order had finished, it was opening act certain general that continued to resonate in the mind."