During the year 1979 the group focused mostly on recording instead of live performance. A new Boulder recording studio called Northstar Studios while still in construction allowed Cells to come in during non construction hours and lay down several tracks, including two songs that would become the band's debut 45 "Uh-Oh" and "Terminal Thighs". On 'Thighs" Clears' brother Jay Clear played lead guitar. This red vinyl 45 has proven to be one of the most collectable and popular records from the Colorado late 70's new wave era.

Their debut single was released in the summer of '79 and quickly got a great review in London's Meloday Maker. The band began to peform a few shows in Boulder including a June 1979 date at the Blue Note with The Corvairs. By September of that year both bands, like so many other Colorado bands of that era, had left Colorado permanently in search of a larger audience and steady work.

In the fall of '79 Cells moved to the east coast, staying in Boston for 3 weeks before settling into a loft on Canal St. in New York City found by Neulin's girlfriend. At this time keyboardist Ryder left the band and returned to Colorado. Cells became a three piece band. The group then began peforming regularly in New York at venues such as Hurrah's, Max's Kansas City, and CBGBs. in 1981 a follow up single was released again on Rude Records.