Pauline Murray (born 8 March 1958 in Waterhouses, County Durham, England) was the lead singer of punk rock band Penetration, originally formed in 1976. In May 1976 18-year-old Pauline 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". The studio albums released were Moving Targets and Coming Up For Air and they have since released a Best of Penetration compilation album. After some brief success in 1978/79, they split up in 1980. In 1980 Murray featured briefly with producer Martin Hannett's band The Invisible Girls, which also included ex-Penetration member Robert Blamire (usually credited as "R"), as well as other Manchester musicians who drifted in and out such as Vini Reilly, guitarist in the The Durutti Column. John Maher from Buzzcocks drummed for the band also. Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls, the album that resulted, reached Number 25 on the UK album chart and spawned the singles "Dream Sequence" and "Mr.X". Murray also provided vocal for The Only Ones on their track, "Fools". 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. She is now back gigging with a rejuvenated Penetration.
