Punk stalwarts head to Portsmouth
Penetration were formed in County Durham in late 1976 at the very beginning of the punk phenomenon.
Fronted by Pauline Murray they signed to Virgin in 1977 and released the classic Don’t Dictate single that autumn. Their debut album, Moving Targets, was released in 1978 to critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching 22 in the album chart.
Following a stressful campaign for second album Coming Up For Air, the band split in 1979.
Murray and bassist Robert Blamire continued to write together, but personal life changes and disillusion with the industry caused the singer to turn her back on music in 1982 aged 23.
She was persuaded to reform Penetration in 2000 and the group began playing live again, including a number of appearances at the annual Rebellion punk music festival. However, it was only in 2015 that they released their long-awaited third album, Resolution, which was well received by critics and fans.
• Penetration are at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, on Saturday, June 22, 2019.