Happy Birthday Pauline Murray

(Photo by Phil King)

Happy Birthday To Pauline Murray

Born On This Day in 1958

Pauline Murray will be out on Tour supporting The Mission in 2017

The Playlist

(Photo by Davy Ellis)

On The Playlist

Don't Dictate - Penetration (Live at The Electric Circus)

Firing Squad - Penetration (Single)

Life's A Gamble - Penetraion (Live at Reading Festival)

Future Daze - Penetration (All Right Now TV Performance)

Lovers of Outrage - Penetration (All Right Now TV Performance) 

Danger Signs - Penetration (Peel Session)

Nostalgia - Penetration (Live at Thames Poly)

Dream Sequence - Pauline Murray and The Invisible Girls (TV Performance)

Searching For Heaven - Pauline Murray and The Invisible Girls (Single)

New Age - Pauline Murray and The Storm (Single)

This Thing Called Love - Pauline Murray (Single)

Our World - Penetration (Single)

Beat Goes On - Penetration (Official Video)

Silent Community/ Don't Dictate - Penetration (Live at 100 Club, London 2016)

I Don't Mind - Penetration (Buzzcocks Cover for Pledge Campaign)

Free Money - Penetration (Patti Smith Cover on Debut Album Moving Targets) 

Alphabet Beats #109: P is for....Penetration

P is for....

 Penetration L to R: Pauline Murray, Robert Blamire, Gary Smallman, and Neale Floyd.

Formed in County Durham back in 1976 (after witnessing Sex Pistols play live in Manchester, Pauline Murray has said "The Pistols made you feel as though you could go and try to do it yourself. They made me start singing"), Penetration were for me one of the premier bands of the ever growing Punk scene of 1977. Their debut single 'Don't Dictate' is regarded as a true classic from the era and the band had got the deal I believe as a result of their support slot at The Roxy with Generation X.

Further single releases showed how they were getting better, 'Firing Squad', 'Life's A Gamble' and 'Danger Signs' are all real quality tunes. Their debut album 'Moving Targets' is one of the best releases from the era and has never been out of my favourite albums of all time list. Personally I think their music still stands the test of time.

Click on the links to enjoy the music.

 Albums

    Moving Targets (October 1978: V 2109) First 15,000 copies on luminous vinyl # 22 UK Albums Chart
    Coming Up For Air (September 1979: V 2131) # 36 UK

BBC In Concert 27/06/79.

 Penetration Live 19789 (2008 Easy Action).

'Live 1978-79' is a two disc set consisting of two live shows. The first from The Thames Polytechnic on the 16th December 1978 and the second, their final show at Newcastle City Hall on the 14th October 1979 in it's entirity (previously a few tracks had been released on the official bootleg 'Race Against Time' in 1979 but as far as I'm aware this is the first time the whole show has had a proper release). 

I had the pleasure of seeing them live quite a few times way back when and whilst these two shows are quite different from each other, they are a testament to exactly how good they were when on stage. Not only is Pauline Murray an exceptional vocalist but the band are pretty tight and seemed to be more musically gifted than some of the other bands who were around at the time (the band were: Pauline Murray - Vocals, Robert Blamire - Bass, Gary Chaplin - Guitar (1976-78), Neale Floyd - Guitar (1978-79), Fred Purser - Guitar (1978-79) and Gary Smallman - Drums (1976-79). The current line up has only Pauline and Robert as the original members). 

The Thames Poly show would have been just as the debut album 'Moving Targets' was released and ten of the tracks represented on the album are part of the set (only 'Reunion' is missing). Two highlights from this particular set are the two cover versions, Patti Smith's 'Free Money' and Buzzcocks' 'Nostalgia' (kind of funny that only a month before the release of Penetration's debut that Buzzcocks had released their second album 'Love Bites' which contained 'Nostalgia'. Both bands had been out on the road together on the 'Entertaining Friends Tour').

The second show is their final show (though they did reform in 2001 and are still out and about today) and the spotlight shifts to the 'Coming Up For Air' album. The songs may not be as strong as the debut but the band actually sound much better (the inclusions of Neale Floyd and Fred Purser on guitar after Gary Chaplin departed was really bearing fruit). With the band knowing it was the last gig they seemed to play with greater abandon laying down an excellent 26 song set (that included a final encore of 'Firing Squad', 'Don't Dictate' and 'Danger Signs' for the second time that night).

2015 News

There is a brand new Penetration album on the way as well via PledgeMusic. Fred Purser is back on Guitar and John Maher of Buzzcocks/Invisible Girls is pounding the drums.

Singles
 

"Don’t Dictate" / "Money Talks" (November 1977: VS 192) Re-released in 1983.
    "Firing Squad" / "Never" (May 1978: VS 213)
    "Life’s A Gamble" / "V.I.P." (September 1978: VS 226)
    "Danger Signs" / "Stone Heroes (Live)" (April 1979: VS 257) Also released, with an additional track "Vision (Live)", as a 12 inch single.
    "Come Into the Open" / "Lifeline" (August 1979: VS 268)

"Our World"/"Sea Song"/"Movement (Live)" (2008 Damaged Goods)

"The Feeling"/"Guilty"/"Come Into The Open (Live)" (2010 Damaged Goods).  

Penetration Live

Penetration re-animated (Live DVD 2002)

Recorded Live at Northumbria University - Some Highlights of the 16 song set.

Nostalgia.

She is the Slave.

Shout Above The Noise.

Don't Dictate/Come Into The Open.

Stone Heroes.

Firing Squad.

Rebellion Festival

2010

Life's A Gamble.

Nostalgia.

Free Money.

Shout Above the Noise.

2012

Don't Dictate/Danger Signs.

Lovers of Outrage.

Stone Heroes.

Don't Dictate (Electric Circus 1977).

Life's A Gamble (Reading Festival 1978).

Lovers of Outrage (Reading Festival 1978). 

Free Money (Undercover Festival 2014).

Reunion/Nostalgia (Undercover Festival 2014).

 SESSIONS
JOHN PEEL SESSION BROADCAST 10TH JULY 1978. 

Contains: Future Daze, Vision, Stone Heroes and Movement.

JOHN PEEL SESSION BROADCAST 7TH MARCH 1979. 

Contains: Danger Signs, Last Saving Grace and She Is The Slave.

Eccentric Sleeve Notes Interview.

 

The S4L Comeback Album of The Year 2015 - Penetration + The Rezillos

Making a decision as to what would be The S4L Comeback Album of the Year 2015 was actually not too difficult except for the problem that there were two contenders, both of whom had not released an album in 30+ years!


First up there was Resolution by Penetration. It had been 36 years since the last album Coming Up For Air. Having been back playing live since 2002 and only to have released a couple of singles (Our World - 2008, The Feeling - 2010) a brand spanking new album from them was most welcome indeed.

Second up was Zero by The Rezillos. It had been 37 years since their debut studio album Can't Stand The Rezillos was recorded and released in July 1978 on Sire Records, and less than a year later a live album Mission Accomplished...But The Beat Goes On also hit the stores (You can listen to both albums here!). By time the live album came out they had already been split up more than 8 months and had played their final show together in December 1978 (which was recorded for the said album). The band have been playing live again since 2001 and vocalists Faye Fife and Eugene Reynolds, and drummer Angel Paterson are the only remaining original members of the band.  

Like Penetration, The Rezillos have only released a few singles since reforming (2009's No.1 Boy, 2011's Out of This World and a live version of Top of the Pops in 2012) so a full length Second Studio album after 37 years is well worth the wait.

It seemed a shame to give one the honour and exclude the other so they both share the distinction of being The S4L Comeback Album of the Year 2015.

 Resolution - Penetration

Polestar 
Produced by Robert Blamire

Released 9th October 2015

Louder Than War Review.

Louder Than War Interview with Pauline Murray.

NE:MM Interview with Penetration.

Vinyl Guru on The Resolution of Penetration.

Beat Goes On (Promo Video).

 Zero - The Rezillos
Metropolis Records
Released 16th March 2015 

Update 22/12/15: You Tube seem to have removed the Full Album which they themselves had uploaded (they seem to be doing this with a lot of albums these days). Apologies. So here's a couple of tracks from the album.

 Pop Matters Reviews Zero.
Louder Than War Review.
Punk News Review.
Record Collector Review.

Rewind: 1979 Coming Up For Air - Penetration

Coming Up For Air - Penetration

Virgin

Produced by Steve Lilywhite

Released 10th September 1979

UK Chart #36

Personnel

Pauline Murray - Vocals

Neale Floyd - Guitar

Fred Purser - Guitar

Robert Blamire - Bass

Gary Smallman - Drums

Side A

01 Shout Above The Noise 4.02
02 She Is The Slave 3.05
03 Last Saving Grace 2.53
04 Killed In The Rush 1.46
05 Challenge 3.56
Side B
06 Come Into The Open 2.48
07 What's Going On ? 3.05
08 Party's Over 2.46
09 On Reflection 2.05
10 Lifeline 2.51
11 New Recruit 2.59

Single From The Album

Come Into the Open / Lifeline

 A month after the album was released Penetration broke up.

Live 19789 

Contains two live shows including their final show on 14th October 1979 in Newcastle 

The Thames Poly show would have been just as the debut album 'Moving Targets' was released and ten of the tracks represented on the album are part of the set (only 'Reunion' is missing). Two highlights from this particular set are the two cover versions, Patti Smith's 'Free Money' and Buzzcocks' 'Nostalgia' (kind of funny that only a month before the release of Penetration's debut that Buzzcocks had released their second album 'Love Bites' which contained 'Nostalgia'. Both bands had been out on the road together on the 'Entertaining Friends Tour').

The second show is their final show (though they did reform in 2001 and are still out and about today) and the spotlight shifts to the 'Coming Up For Air' album. The songs may not be as strong as the debut but the band actually sound much better (the inclusions of Neale Floyd and Fred Purser on guitar after Gary Chaplin departed was really bearing fruit). With the band knowing it was the last gig they seemed to play with greater abandon laying down an excellent 26 song set (that included a final encore of 'Firing Squad', 'Don't Dictate' and 'Danger Signs' for the second time that night).

Penetration are about to release a brand new album, these days only Pauline Murray and Robert Blamire (he has produced the album) are the only original members left. Album is titled New Resolution. The album features John Maher, once of Buzzcocks pounding the drums. It is their first album for 36 Years! Fred Purser also makes an appearance on the album (as well as Mixing it).

Listen to a track from the album here!

Interview with Penetration August 2015.

The S4L Top 50 Cover Versions Part Three 30-21

30. Wild Side of Life - Status Quo.

Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys spent 15 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts with the original release of the song back in 1952. Status Quo's version was released in December of 1976 and peaked at #9 in the UK Singles Chart.

29. Teenage Rampage - Vice Squad.

In 1985 Vice Squad covered this classic tune from the glam era of the 1970's taking it into the Indie Chart and peaking at #44. Beki Bondage had left the band after touring the US and Canada following the release of their second album 'Stand Strong Stand Proud'. Beki would go on to form Ligotage and later on Beki and the Bombshells. With new singer Lia they didn't last long releasing three singles and an album and with poor sales the band called it a day. Beki would breath new life into Vice Squad in 1997 and they have continued to this day touring and releasing new music.

The Original 'Teenage Rampage' was released in 1974 and was a massive hit for them, their 7th Top Ten Hit reaching #2. At present there are two bands touring under the banner of Sweet: Andy Scott's Sweet (1985 to Present) and Steve Priest's Sweet (2008 to Present), and at one time between 1984-97 even vocalist Brian Connolly had a band called New Sweet! But the original band were one of my favourites when I was a kid, along with Slade.

28. Police and Thieves - The Clash.

8th April 1977 was a pivitol day as it was the release date of the debut album by The Clash. We had the debut single 'White Riot' since mid March but the album was what we wanted. Mark Perry had declared that punk died when The Clash signed to CBS so it was of great interest to see and hear if that was really true or not.
Middle of Side Two this song explodes from the speakers with the kind of fury the original lacked (but the fury was actually there, just masked by the gentleness of the tune and exceptional vocal style of Junior Murvin)! This remains one of my favourites to this day.
The Junior Murvin version was first released in the UK on Island Records in 1976 (it had been released in Jamaica beforehand to great success).

27. Nostalgia - Penetration.
This fantastic cover was on the debut album 'Moving Targets' from October 1978 on Virgin Records. Penetration had been out on the road with Buzzcocks on the 'Entertaining Friends Tour' and it's quite possible that's where they came across the song. It's funny because the original version by Buzzcocks was only released the same year in September on their second album 'Love Bites'.

26. Free Money - Penetration.
Another cover from Penetration that I love also features on 'Moving Targets'. The original by Patti Smith appeared on her debut album 'Horses' from 1975 on Arista Records. That album is considered one of the best albums ever recorded.

25. Pressure Drop - The Clash.
B-Side to the 1979 single 'English Civil War' and yet another cover by The Clash of a reggae tune done in their own style rather than reggae. The original by The Maytals was recorded in 1969 and released as a single in 1970, it also gave Toots and The Maytals a real boost when the song was included on the 1972 Soundtrack for the film 'The Harder They Come', which is where I first heard the song.

24. If I Should Fall Behind - Dion.
I love how Dion D'Mucci turned this into a Doo Wop tune, most unexpected when first listening to his album 'Dream On Fire' that was released in 1999. The original written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen was featured on his 1992 album 'Lucky Town'.

23. No Surrender - Holly Williams.
Only released this year on an album called 'Dead Man's Town: A Tribute to Born in the USA' - there's a few on the album that are worthy covers but this one is fantastic. I did struggle whether to choose this version by Holly or the excellent version by Kevin Montgomery.
Originally released by Bruce Springsteen on 'Born in the USA' (1984).

22. I'm Not Sayin' - The Primitives.
From the exceptional 'Echoes and Rhymes' album (2012). The Primitives proved on that album that they could take even obscure songs, aprinkle their magic dust on them and make them sound like an original song! I love this one a lot, almost a JAMC treatement with Paul Court on the vocals.
The song was written by Gordon Lightfoot and recorded and released by him in 1965 and then by Nico the same year (her single was produced by Brian Jones of Rolling Stones).

21. The Green Fields of France - The Men They Couldn't Hang.
The first single in 1984 from a band who were set to become a great band. A #1 on the UK Indie Chart.
The song, originally called 'No Man's Land' but given the title 'The Green Fields of France' by The Fureys when they released it in 1979. The song was written by Scottish Born Folk Singer Eric Bogle who also wrote 'And The Band Played Waltzing Maltilda' (which would be covered successfully by The Pogues).
 

Beat Goes On - Penetration (New Video)

As a forerunner to the up and coming first album in 36 years Penetration have released a brand spanking new Promo Video for the song

 Beat Goes On

 

 (Photo by Davy Ellis)

The Brand New Album from Penetration called 'Resolution' will be released 9th October 2015

I Don't Mind (Buzzcocks Cover).

 
Interview with Penetration August 2015.

Rewind: Moving Targets - Penetration (3rd October 1978)

Moving Targets - Penetration

Virgin

Proudced by Mick Glossop and Mike Howlett

Released 3rd October 1978

UK Chart #22

Side One

Side Two

Personnel

    Pauline Murray - vocals
    Fred Purser - lead guitar; keyboards on "Reunion"
    Neale Floyd - guitar
    Robert Blamire - bass
    Gary Smallman - drums, percussion

*************

It's amazing to think that Moving Targets is 40 Years Old today! It's an album that I have never had to blow the dust off or brush off the cobwebs because it gets played often and even after 40 years I never tire of listening to it.

Penetration were formed in 1976 in County Durham but at first were called The Points and played their debut live show at the Rock Garden in Middlesbourgh in October 1976. Their second live performance saw them supporting The Stranglers at Newcastle City Hall! The change of name came from the Iggy and The Stooges track Penetration that was released in 1973 on the Raw Power album.

The band signed to Virgin Records and in November 1977 released their debut single Don't Dictate which is widely regarded as a Punk Classic. They followed up in March 1978 with the excellent Firing Squad single. 

 (Firing Squad Picture Sleeve)

Neither single dented the chart and the single released as the forerunner to the debut album, Life's A Gamble, didn't set the chart on fire either! 

It's a shame because all three singles were really decent quality tunes and fortunately the debut album would be the one to open the door to some much deserved chart activity.

The first two singles were not included on the album though when reissued on CD both A & B Sides were present.

A John Peel Session was recorded on 5th July 1978 and it included Future Daze, Vision, Stone Heroes and Movement, all of which would appear on the Debut album.

Nine of the eleven tracks were written by members of the band and it ends suprisingly with two cover versions, firstly Nostalgia which had been on the second album Love Bites by Buzzcocks (released only a month before!)  and secondly Free Money, written by Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye (and had originally appeared on the Horses album from 1975).

Whilst those cover versions are excellent it's actually the quality of their own writing that really stands out for me. They had grown musically as a band from their debut single to what is offered here on the debut album. A lot of that I think can be put down to the twin guitar attack of Neale Floyd (who had replaced the original guitarist Gary Chaplin, who departed in March 1978) and Fred Purser (who joined in July 1978).

Whilst the studio versions of the songs are just brilliant it was actually the live performances that really captured the sheer force and energy of the songs.

Don't Dictate (Electric Circus 1977).

Life's A Gamble (Reading Festival 1978).

Lovers of Outrage (Reading Festival 1978).

Future Daze (on Alright Now 1979).

Lovers of Outrage (on Alright Now 1979).

 BBC In Concert 7th July 1979 Paris Theatre London.

Nostalgia (Northumbria University 2002).

Stone Heroes (Northumbria University 2002).

Firing Squad (Northumbria University 2002).

Listening to this once again brings up great memories of shows at The Marquee in Wardour Street and The Lyceum Ballroom down at The Strand in London. 

"Sometimes there's a song in my brain
And I feel that my heart knows the refrain
I guess it's just the music
That brings on nostalgia for an age yet to come" 

- (Nostalgia - Pete Shelley)

MOVING TARGETS RE:CALIBRATED - Penetration (1st November 2024)

 It's been a few weeks since I last did a post here so I better rectify that with this one that spotlights (in my mind at least) one of the finest Debut Albums by a band that I have a fond affection for since buying their Debut 7" "Don't Dictate" in 1977.

There are links to the music below just click on the coloured titles.

 

 MOVING TARGETS RE:CALIBRATED - Penetration
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Polestar
1st November 2024
Limited Edition of 250 on Red Vinyl (Now Sold Out)
Available on Streaming Services Also

Side 1
A1 Future Daze 3:05
A2 Life's a Gamble 3:17
A3 Lovers of Outrage 4:10
A4 Vision 3:32
A5 Silent Community    3:04
A6 Stone Heroes    3:49

Side 2
B1 Movement 3:17
B2 Too Many Friends 3:32
B3 Reunion 3:54
B4 Nostalgia 4:10
B5 Free Money 4:19

Penetration have a couple of dates left on their UK Tour with Essential Logic (London tonight, 17th November and on the 18th November in Brighton) celebrating 45 years since the release of their magnificent debut album 'Moving Targets'. This new re-recording of the album was actually done back in 2007 during rehearsals for a gig at the 100 Club in London. It's the first time it has been released on Vinyl and is only limited to 250 copies which is a bit of a shame. It has been remixed and remastered for this release.

There was a very limited edition of 100 copies self- released on a CDR in 2008 of this by the band, so I am assuming that it is from this recording that has been remixed and remastered for this new vinyl release .

The Debut Album was released in October 1978 on Virgin Records and there was a limited edition of 15,000 on Glow In the Dark Luminous Vinyl.The album reached #22 on the UK Albums Chart.

The band had beefed up their sound for the album with the addition of the twin guitar attack of  Neale Floyd and Fred Purser (he would go on to play with Tygers of Pan Tang).

Moving Targets Tracklist
Side 1
A1 Future Daze
A2 Life's a Gamble
A3 Lovers of Outrage
A4 Vision
A5 Silent Community
A6 Stone Heroes    
Side 2
B1 Movement
B2 Too Many Friends
B3 Reunion
B4 Nostalgia
B5 Free Money

 

Gems From My Collection: Pauline Murray & The Invisble Girls + More

Pauline Murray is best known as the lead vocalist of Penetration (more of them later), but once the band had finished she immediately launched into new musical territory backed by The Invisible Girls (who had been the backing band for John Cooper Clarke's studio albums).

She has also released music under the names Pauline Murray and The Storm, Pauline Murray and The Saint, and just as Pauline Murray. Hopefully if I can find links for each of these projects I'll include them here. Click on the links to enjoy the music.

 Pauline Murray and The Invisible Girls - RSO 3rd October 1980

Tracklist:
 1. Screaming in the Darkness  (3:37)
 2. Dream Sequence I  (3:20)
 3. European Eyes  (3:21)
 4. Shoot You Down (not album bersion but Peel Session Version)  (2:07)
 5. Sympathy  (2:48)
 6. Time Slipping  (4:04)
 7. Drummer Boy  (3:04)
 8. Thundertunes  (3:23)
 9. When Will We Learn  (3:35)
10. Mr. X (this is the 7" Single Version)  (4:27)
11. Judgement Day  (4:26).

Singles

Dream Sequences - 1980 Illusive Records.

A. Dream Sequence I

B. Dream Sequence II.

Mr X - Illusive Records 24th October 1980

  A. Mr X.

B. Two Shots.

Searching For Heaven - Illusive Records 3rd April 1981

Searching For Heaven.

Animal Crazy.

The Visitor.

John Peel Session 19th March 1980.

Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls - Live on Belgian TV 1980.

Shadow in My Mind/When We Were Young (Acoustic) - Live Stockton 14th November 2013.

Dream Sequence (Acoustic) - Live Stockton 14th November 2013.

Dream Sequence (with Band) - Live Newcastle 15th November 2013.

Time Slipping - Live Newcastle 15th November 2013.

When We Were Young (Acoustic) - Live Newcastle 15th November 2013.

Sympathy - Live Newcastle 15th November 2013.

Searching For Heaven - Live Newcastle 15th November 2013.

The Reissue - 1993

Tracklist for Reissue:
 1. Screaming in the Darkness  (3:37)
 2. Dream Sequence I  (3:20)
 3. European Eyes  (3:21)
 4. Shoot You Down  (2:07)
 5. Sympathy  (2:48)
 6. Time Slipping  (4:04)
 7. Drummer Boy  (3:04)
 8. Thundertunes  (3:23)
 9. When Will We Learn  (3:35)
10. Mr. X  (4:27)
11. Judgement Day  (4:26)
-Bonus Tracks-
12. The Visitor (Searching for Heaven EP)  (3:44)
13. Animal Crazy (Searching for Heaven EP)  (3:17)
14. Searching for Heaven (Searching for Heaven EP)  (2:59).

You might be interested to know that tracks 12-13 a certain guitarist named Wayne Hussey plays on them.

On track 14 Bernard Summer of New Order plays guitar.

Drums on all tracks by John Maher of Buzzcocks.

I was delighted to read that the album is getting a further reissue on 7th October 2014 with a Double Album/CD version.

"It's a bit of a missing link album," says Pauline today. "Written and recorded after punk, but before Martin Rushent and the Human League made airy pop respectable again. We chose the other Martin in 1980 because we wanted the incredible sounds he achieved for Joy Division and Magazine. Thundertunes, basically."

The Tracklist for the 2CD set is as follows:

Disc 1:
1. Screaming In the Darkness
2. Dream Sequence
3. European Eyes
4. Shoot You Down
5. Sympathy
6. Time Slipping
7. Drummer Boy
8. Thundertunes
9. When Will We Learn
10. Mr X
11. Judgement Day
12. Searching for Heaven
13. The Visitor
14. Animal Crazy
15. Dream Sequence II
16. Two Shots
17. Shoot You Down (Peel 3/1980)
18. Sympathy (Peel 3/1980)
19. When Will We Learn (Peel 3/1980)
20. Dream Sequence (Peel 3/1980)

Disc 2:
1. Screaming In the Darkness (live 1981)
2. Searching for Heaven (live 1981)
3. Time Slipping (live 1981)
4. Dream Sequence (live 1981)
5. Two Shots (live 1981)
6. When Will We Learn (live 1981)
7. Mr X (live 1981)
8. Animal Crazy (live 1981)
9. European Eyes (live 1981)
10. Thundertunes (live 1981)
11. Animal Crazy (live 1981)
11. Time Slipping (live 1981)
12. Dream Sequence (live 1981)
14. Two Shots (live 1981)
15. Sympathy (live 1980)
16. Dream Sequence (live 1980)
17. Time Slipping (live 1980)
18. Drummer Boy (live 1980)
19. European Eyes (live 1980)
20. Thundertunes (live 1980)
21. Shoot You Down (live 1980)
22. Judgement Day (live 1980)
23. When Will We Learn (live 1980)

For more information on the 2014 Reissue click here.

Pauline Murray and The Storm

New Age - Polestar, November 1986.

(This also had The Saint on it)

Holocaust.

Pauline Murray

This Thing Called Love/Mr Money/Pressure Zone 12" - Cat and Mouse Records 1989.

Released on Cat and Mouse Records in 1989.

Tracklist
This Thing Called Love (3:34) / Holocaust (2:19) / Soul Power (3:10) / No One Like You (2:57) / Another World (3:03) / Don't Give Up (4:58) // Pressure Zone (4:23) / Close Watch (3:07) / Everybody's Talking (3:06) / New Age (3:51) / Time (4:52).

Penetration

Don't Dictate 1977 Virgin Records

 Don't Dictate / Money Talks

Firing Squad - Virgin Records 1978

Firing Squad / Never

Life's A Gamble - Virgin Records 1978.

 Life's A Gamble / V.I.P.

Moving Targets LP - Virgin Records 1978

Listen to Moving Targets Album Here.

Danger Signs 12" - Virgin Records 1979.

Danger Signs / Stone Heroes (Live) / Vision (Live) 

Come Into the Open - Virgin Records 1979

Come Into the Open / Lifeline

Coming Up For Air LP - Virgin Records 1979

 Listen to Coming Up For Air Album Here.

Our World (Damaged Goods 2008).

 The Feeling (Damaged Goods 2010).

Penetration Live 1978-79 (Easy Action 2008)

'Live 1978-79' is a two disc set consisting of two live shows. The first from The Thames Polytechnic on the 16th December 1978 and the second, their final show at Newcastle City Hall on the 14th October 1979 in it's entirity (previously a few tracks had been released on 'Race Against Time' in 1979 but as far as I'm aware this is the first time the whole show has had a proper release).

The Thames Poly show would have been just as the debut album 'Moving Targets' was released and ten of the tracks represented on the album are part of the set (only 'Reunion' is missing). Two highlights from this particular set are the two cover versions, Patti Smith's 'Free Money' and Buzzcocks' 'Nostalgia' (kind of funny that only a month before the release of Penetration's debut that Buzzcocks had released their second album 'Love Bites' which contained 'Nostalgia').
The second show is their final show (though they did reform in 2001 and are still out and about today) and the spotlight shifts to the 'Coming Up For Air' album. The songs may not be as strong as the debut but the band actually sound much better (the inclusions of Neale Floyd and Fred Purser on guitar after Gary Chaplin departed was really bearing fruit). With the band knowing it was the last gig they seemed to play with greater abandon laying down an excellent 26 song set (that included a final encore of 'Firing Squad', 'Don't Dictate' and 'Danger Signs' for the second time that night).

Read here a great piece from Eccentric Sleeve Notes.

I had the pleasure of seeing them live quite a few times way back when and whilst these two shows are quite different from each other, they are a testament to exactly how good they were when on stage. Not only is Pauline Murray an exceptional vocalist but the band are pretty tight and seemed to be more musically gifted than some of the other bands who were around at the time (the band were Pauline Murray - Vocals, Robert Blamire - Bass, Gary Chaplin - Guitar (1976-78), Neale Floyd - Guitar (1978-79), Fred Purser - Guitar (1978-79) and Gary Smallman - Drums (1976-79). The current line up has only Pauline and Robert as the original members).

LIVE VIDEOS:

DON'T DICTATE LIVE AT ELECTRIC CIRCUS, MANCHESTER 1977. 

LOVERS OF OUTRAGE LIVE AT READING FESTIVAL 1978.

Don't Dictate/Danger Signs - Live at Rebellion 2012.

Re-animated DVD

 Nostalgia.

She is the Slave.

Don't Dictate/Come Into The Open.

Shout Above the Noise.

Stone Heroes.

Firing Squad.

SESSIONS:

JOHN PEEL SESSION BROADCAST 10TH JULY 1978. Contains: Future Daze, Vision, Stone Heroes and Movement.

JOHN PEEL SESSION BROADCAST 7TH MARCH 1979. Contains: Danger Signs, Last Saving Grace and She Is The Slave.

For more information regarding Pauline Murray click here for her official website.