Sophisticated chords, tight compositions and solid
playing that transcended punk with epic aplomb, drawing in elements of jazz and balladry.
Penetration -- named after the Iggy Pop tune -- was North-East England's contribution to the late 1970's punk scene. The group was formed in mid-1976 in Ferryhill, County Durham, by 18-year-old Pauline Murray, a former art student, and her friend Robert Blamire after the two had seen the Sex Pistols perform in Manchester. The original line-up was Pauline on vocals, Robert on bass, Gary Chaplin on guitar and Gary Smallman on drums.
They made their debut at the Rock Garden in Middlesborough in late 1976. After playing their first London gig (opening for Gen X) at the Roxy in January of 1977, the group was invited to record some demos for Virgin, with whom they eventually signed in late 1977. Their debut single Don't Dictate was released on November 5, 1977; and it set a style of strident, passionate and sometimes visionary lyrics that became their trademark.
In early 1978, Gary Chaplin quit the band, apparently tired of the pressures of constant gigging. He was replaced first by Neil Floyd, who took over rhythm guitar; then, a little while later, lead guitarist Fred Purser joined up and gave the band a heavier, more metallic edge. By the end of 1978, Penetration had released a couple more singles, Firing Squad and Life's a Gamble, as well as their debut LP, Moving Targets.
1979 saw extensive touring, both in the UK and in the US. The group also released their second album, Coming Up for Air, despite starting to suffer internal disharmony and disillusion, especially on the part of Pauline. The band did eventually split up, and the break-up was announced at one of their last gigs: Newcastle City Hall on October 14, 1979. The show was was recorded and issued as a post-humous official bootleg.
Several months later, Pauline and Robert linked up with producer Martin Hannett and some session players, and recorded for a while under the name Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls. Some material was released and a live band was put together, but this lasted only a short while. Pauline continued to record throughout the 1980's, first with the Invisible Girls and later as a solo act.
Recent news (2003): Penetration are back together and touring around the UK.
