The Affectionate Punch is the debut studio album by the Scottish post-punk and new wave band the Associates. The album was released on 1 August 1980. From the album “The Affectionate Punch” and “A” were released as singles. Upon its release, The Affectionate Punch was declared “a kind of masterpiece” by Paul Morley of the NME, who described it as “a passionate cabaret soul music, a fulfilment of the European white dance music Bowie was flirting with back then.” None other than Robert Smith (the Cure) can be heard doing backing vocals on “The Affectionate Punch” and “Even Dogs in the Wild”. Nigel Glockler (Saxon) is the drummer on this album.