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PROTEX - Strange Obsessions LP |
| Release Information :: Strange Obssessions has long been the holy grail of fervent record collectors worldwide. Rumors have abound that this album had been released in Holland and or that there were a small number of white label test pressings in existence but none of these claims have ever been substantiated. As far as I can ascertain, this is the first time that ten of these tracks have become commercially available anywhere. The fruits of these Chas Chandler sessions had only been previously hinted at with the bands final singles and the track All I Wanna Do Is Rock ‘N’ Roll that appeared on the American only Polydor compilation album Made In Britain. For these recordings to have remained unreleased for so long is a heinous crime but thankfully one that has now been rectified by those nice people at Sing Sing Records in New York City. The title track of this release is worth the entrance fee alone. A genuine teen anthem if there ever was one. A live rendition of the song was featured in the Shellshock Rock movie but to get to hear the song recorded in a proper studio is truly a blissful experience. The production is clean and crisp and it baffles me how either the band or record company were dissatisfied with these sessions at the time. Perhaps when revisited and with the hindsight of time on their side their perspectives may have changed. The Northern Ireland punk scene of the late 1970s had its own very distinctive sound. The bands from Northern Ireland were much younger than their English counterparts and were totally devoid of pretence and trickery. The stripped down to basics ethos of punk was evident in the “Belfast” sound. It was primitive and elemental but there was a huge amount of strong melodies and good lyrics thrown into the mix too. For me this release only reinforces that view further. (Sean O'Neill; co-author of It Makes You Wanna Spit!) Bio / History :: Protex were at the vanguard of the Northern Ireland punk scene. Formed in 1978 as a direct result of band members witnessing firsthand The Clash's now infamous visit to Belfast the previous year when their gig was pulled at the eleventh hour due to insurance wrangles. The Clash's trip to Belfast in 1977 is viewed by many as the catalyst for the punk movement in Northen Ireland. Protex were greatly influenced by The Clash and even took their initial name (Protex Blue) from an album track on Strummer and Co's self titled debut album. The band at the time had absolutely no idea that the Clash song was in fact about condoms. Their debut live performance came a few months later in 1978 at Knock Methodist Church Hall in Belfast. Shortly after this show the band shortened their name to Protex and continued gigging around Belfast eventually securing a radio session with local station Downtown Radio. Through regular gigging around the city the band soon came to the attention of Terri Hooley and a three track debut 45 was subsequently released on his Good Vibrations record label (his label having previously released singles by Rudi, Victim, The Outcasts and The Undertones). The single would go on to receive two different sleeve pressings on the Good Vibrations label before later being released on the London based Rough Trade Records (the only edition of the single not to feature a foldout sleeve). There is a thumping re-recording of the A side of this single, Don't Ring Me Up, on Strange Obsessions. On the back of good reviews including one from influential NME scribe Tony Paesons and lots of air play the band then secured a prestigious BBC Radio 1 session for the Kid Jenson show. The exposure gained from this in turn resulted in major record company interest in the form of Polydor Records. The band were all still in sixth form at school studying for their A levels when A&R men came over from London to see them play live together with the Xdreamysts at Chester's in Portrush. Both bands were subsequently signed to the label and during the Easter holidays 1979 the band went to London to record their debut single for their new record company. I Can't Cope was released to a flurry of radio airplay and music press interest and with their new record company backing they secured a UK support slot on an up and coming Adam and the Ants UK tour. This tour only lasted for one show before Protex pulled themselves off the tour. The general consciences being that they weren't best suited to the audiences that the Ants were attracting at that time. They did however permanently move to London after this and now under the management of Mary – Carol Canon and set up base at the Chessington house once the residence of Genesis. I Can Only Dream was the next single to be released by Polydor. It was produced by Chas Chandler, ex bass player with The Animals and Slade producer. There were also sessions recorded at Mickey Most's The Rak studios around this time too which the band liked but Polydor rejected as being "too produced". These recordings remain unreleased. Another UK support tour soon got under way in Liverpool, this time opening for the Boomtown Rats. These dates were followed by a Scottish tour and further tours in America and Canada in 1980 followed. Three tracks from the bands New York City concert at the Hurrah Club were filmed by John T Davis and subsequently made into a short movie interspersed with footage of the band at the St. Patrick's Day parade in the city. This short film was entitled Sham Rock and has never officially been released. The bands final release for Polydor was the A Place In Your Heart single after which they were disappointingly dropped by the label. They did however return to the Pound Club in Belfast for several farewell shows before the band eventually folded. (Sean O'Neill / Owen McFadden) |
Album Art ::
(Download Full Size Image)Track Listing :: 1. Strange Things 2. I'll Never Stop 3. A Place In Your Heart 4. Night Of Action 5. You Don't Know Me 6. Look Out Johnny 7. I Can Only Dream 8. Forever 9. Don't Ring Me Up 10. Smile And Say Goodbye 11. Privates Lives 12. Strange Obsessions Protex Are :: Aidan Murtagh - Guitar, Vocals David McMaster - Guitar, Vocals Paul Maxwell - Bass, Vocals Owen McFadden - Drums Discography :: 1. Don't Ring Me Up b/w (Just Want) Your Attention, Listening In. Good Vibrations Records, 1978. 2. I Can Only Dream b/w Heartache. Polydor, 1979. 3. I Can't Cope b/w Popularity. Polydor, 1979. 4. A Place In Your Heart b/w Jeepster. Polydor, 1980. Press Photos :: (click for full size)   |
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