Protex

Protex is a punk group from Belfast. The band forms in 1977, when four schoolfriends start out under the name the Incredibly Boring Band, playing cover versions of songs by Thin Lizzy and Dr Feelgood before moving into original material influenced by the Buzzcocks and the Ramones. They then change their name to Protex Blue, taking the name from a Clash song title, before shortening it to Protex.

Early line-up and first performances

The original line-up is Aidan Murtagh on guitar and vocals, David McMaster on guitar and vocals, Paul Maxwell on bass and vocals, and Owen McFadden on drums. The group plays its first gig under the Protex Blue name at Knock Methodist Church Hall in 1978 and builds a reputation as a strong live act in Belfast venues. At this stage the members are still in sixth form and studying for A-levels.

Recordings and releases

After a session for Downtown Radio, the band is seen by Terri Hooley at the Glenmachan Hotel and soon records its debut single for Good Vibrations. It later records a session for The Kid Jensen Show on BBC Radio. The group signs to Polydor Records alongside the X-Dreamysts, and records I Can’t Cope as its first Polydor single during the Easter holidays in 1979. A second and third single follow on Polydor.

Protex also records an album titled Strange Obsessions, produced by Chas Chandler, but it is not released. The album includes songs such as Strange Things, I’ll Never Stop, A Place in Your Heart, Night of Action, You Don’t Know Me, Look Out Johnny, I Can Only Dream, Forever, Don’t Ring Me Up, Smile and Say Goodbye, Private Lives and Strange Obsessions.

Touring and later activity

The band moves to London in 1979 and tours with The Boomtown Rats, followed by club tours and two tours of the United States. During a US tour in 1980, it is filmed live at New York’s Hurrah Club by John T. Davis; the film is called Sham rock! The group also contributes tracks to compilation albums in the UK and the USA.