BELFAST

1977 - 1981

OVERVIEW Protex was a punk band from Belfast. The band was heavily influenced by The Clash. The group formed after The Clash's first gig in Belfast and with a name, Protex Blue, which was inspired by a track on the same band's debut album. The line up featured Aidan Murtagh [Guitar], Owen McFadden [Drums], David McMaster [Guitar & Vocals] and Paul Maxwell [Bass Guitar & Vocals] and the quartet soon shortened the band's name to Protex. The band was spotted playing live by Terri Hooley of Good Vibrations Records. Hooley soon signed the group up to record a single and 'Don't Ring Me Up' was released on his label in 1978. The band was generating a lot of interest and soon signed with Polydor Records. A second single, 'I can't Cope' was released in 1979 and marked the band's debut on Polydor. Around this time, the group relocated to London. The band went on to release two further singles, 'I Can Only Dream' [1979] and 'A Place In Your Heart' [1980]. While Protex had been building towards an album released, this never happened and the band split in 1981. A number of compilation albums were released long after the separation. 1977 - Band formed 1978 - Release of 'Don't Ring Me Up' single 1979 - Signed to Polydor Records - Release of 'I Can't Cope' single - Release of 'I Can Only Dream' single 1980 - Release of 'A Place In Your Heart' single 1981 - Band split 2001 - Release of 'Listening In' album 2003 - Release of 'All We Wanna Do Is Rock 'N' Roll' album