The band Canis Strange was formed in 1976 at The Paston School, North Walsham (now Paston College). The band's personnel were a fluid mix of interested people, some instrumentalists, some not, drawn from the Fifth Form. The nucleus of the band formed around Paul Life, Mark Hobbs and Jezz Startup. Their first gig was as support for the Sixth Form band All Glass Apparatus in July 1976. This band consisted of Nigel Digby, John Stables, Chris Shorten and Mervyn Grand guesting on piano. It was their end of term concert, shortly after which they would be leaving the school. Canis Strange performed some four or five covers, the most memorable of which was their rendition of 'Frankenstein' by the Edgar Winter band.