Pauline Murray & the Invisible Girls

Pauline Murray is an English new-wave rock singer who fronted Penetration, a pioneering punk band behind two 1978/79 Virgin albums. In 1980 she formed the Invisible Girls, which made a self-titled album on Illusive/RSO. After an eight-year absence, she returned with the 1989 disc Storm Clouds.

Members: Martin Hannett (bass, guitar), Steve Hopkins (keyboards), Lyn Oakey (guitar, 1978-?), Paul Burgess (drums, 1978-?, 1981-82), Robert Blamire (bass, 1980-81), Vini Reilly (guitar, 1980), David Rowbotham (guitar, 1980), Dave Hassel (percussion, 1980), John Maher (drums, 1980-81), Wayne Hussey (guitar, 1981), Rick Goldstraw (bass, 1982), Toby Toman (drums, 1982)

Background

Pauline Murray was born on March 8, 1958, in Waterhouses, County Durham, England. Her father worked as a miner and earlier shod pit ponies with his father, while her mother Jean came from a musical family and sang with her sisters in wartime entertainment parties. The family moved from Waterhouses to Ferryhill in County Durham.

Murray met Robert Blamire in her final year at junior school in Ferryhill. She learned chords on a second-hand Spanish guitar at grammar school and sang three-part harmonies with two classmates who also played guitar. Murray earned seven O-levels and entered an art and design foundation course in Darlington.

Murray formed Penetration in Ferryhill in 1976 with bassist Blamire, guitarist Gary Chaplin, and drummer Gary Smallman. The group signed with Virgin Records in 1977 and released the single “Don’t Dictate,” followed by the albums Moving Targets and Coming Up for Air. Penetration undertook a five-week American tour in summer 1979, then returned to England for the second album sessions and another British tour. On October 14, Murray announced the breakup from the stage at Newcastle City Hall.

In early 1980, Murray and Blamire bought a Teac four-track and developed new songs at the home of Blamire’s parents. Meanwhile, keyboardist Steve Hopkins and Joy Division producer Martin Hannett developed the Invisible Girls as a rotating studio unit behind John Cooper Clarke and Jilted John. In February, Murray and Blamire visited Hannett’s Didsbury flat and impressed with their home demos.

Murray recruited guitarist Alan Rawlins and drummer Peter Howells for a John Peel session recorded on March 19 at BBC Maida Vale. The Invisible Girls recorded “Dream Sequence” at Strawberry Studios in April with Blamire, Rawlins, and drummer Trevor Spencer. Murray and Blamire secured an RSO licensing agreement through A&R head Ashley Newton, with an album advance and a custom Illusive imprint.

Discography: