Entertainment

One of the coolest things about the UK scene, as a result of the island being a relatively small and cloistered set of players, is that connecting any band are a wealth of shared musicians or record labels, bar dates or whatever else. Pauline Murray isn’t a household name in the States. I have no idea if she is in the UK, but her first band dating back to 1977, Penetration, appreciates a healthy and historic place in punk. There really weren’t too many female fronted groups back then – or now, for that matter.

After Penetration fell apart, Murray set about working up a new ensemble to tour and record with. Through serpentine happenings, the Invisible Girls emerged as something of an unwitting usupergroup with players from any number of bands including the Buzzocks, 10cc as well as a producer connected to Joy Division. With all those musical reference points in play, guessing at the ensemble’s sound isn’t too difficult. There’s an austere funk at play, perfect for Murray’s crooning.