In the early summer of 1986 Damon met Dave Rivers a bass player who was looking to join the band, and the band entered a national talent show in Clacton-on-sea Essex, and got through the initial stages, but a few weeks later the group disbanded, but with the band having a spot in the local final something had to be done, so Damon and Dave linked up with one of Dave’s old friends, Mark Sainsbury, who was also a gifted song writer, and along with Mark’s brother Billy on keys and Tony Smy on drums the X Projection that would have so much success was born.

Playing at the local finals of the talent show, we were told before had by the organiser that we would not be allowed to win, as we were too modern for the type of talent show that was being run, but were promised we would be given other options to work within the industry, so we accepted second place even though when the results were read out there was a lot of booing from the audience that we hadn’t won. To show the discontent of the band, when Damon went to pick-up the second prize award he jump on the Essex senior councillor who was presenting the awards and gave him a big kiss, which not only embarrassed the councillor but also the organisers, the kids and fans who were watching cheered, and the band that seemed composed, showed that they could be as naughty as the pop bands they idolized.

Between September and December 1986 Mark and Damon began what would become X Projections first album, also it would their first TV appearance and numerous Radio interviews and reviews of the first album, but with no record contract this was as far as the band could go alone.
After the first TV performance a host of record companies came knocking with various deals, but by January "87, X Projection had decided to sign with RAC.