Pauline Murray

Pauline Murray (born 8 March 1958, Durham, County Durham, England) was the lead singer of the punk rock band, Penetration, which was originally formed in 1976.

In May 1976 the 18-year-old Murray saw the Sex Pistols. Murray and her Ferryhill comrades became Pistols devotees, earning for themselves by late 1976 the title of 'Durham Contingent' (coined by the NME).

Penetration soon began gigging and debuted on vinyl with their single, "Don't Dictate". They released two albums, Moving Targets and Coming Up for Air, and later a Best of Penetration compilation album. After some brief success in 1978/79, they split up in 1980.

In 1980 Murray worked on her first solo album with record producer Martin Hannett's band The Invisible Girls, which also included ex-Penetration member Robert Blamire, as well as other Manchester musicians who drifted in and out such as Vini Reilly, guitarist in The Durutti Column. John Maher from Buzzcocks also drummed for the band. The resulting album, Pauline Murray and The Invisible Girls, reached Number 25 on the UK Albums Chart and spawned the singles "Dream Sequence" and "Mr X".

Murray also provided vocals for The Only Ones on their tracks, "Fools" and backing vocals on "Me and My Shadow".

Murray worked sporadically as a solo artist under the name "Pauline Murray and The Storm" with Robert Blamire, Tim Johnston and Paul Harvey. She spent the next 10 years fronting various outfits, and is now back giggling with a rejuvenated Penetration.