Camden Electric Ballroom

Penetration - The Last Gig ©R A Jackson
The Electric Ballroom in Camden High Street was the final setting for the last Penetration gig of their final tour. For three years the band have been consistently touring this country and abroad; Saturday night it came to an official end.
Simply, Penetration are unique. Penetration are one of those bands who never got the full acclaim they undoubtedly deserved. They came to the Mountford Hall on Friday night and drew a crowd of about 700 of which the vast majority were city folk ( Thanks to them.) 30 people used the buses from Carnatic site despite the massive publicity which more than compensated for misleading music press reports.
The Electric Ballroom was a different matter altogether. The venue had been sold out well beforehand. London's tribute to a caring band. The lights dimmed in the hot and sweaty ballroom and the packed crowd pressed forward in anticipation. An unnecessary announcement by the DJ was made much to the road crew's disgust and the fast drum roll introduced 'Shout above the Noise'. Listen to the lyrics and it'll explain a lot about the band's attitude. The audience leap as one when Pauline launches into the song and it's obvious there's no need to warm up the crowd. They're already hot. From the new album to the first and the classic 'Life's a Gamble', always a favourite. 'It seems ages since we last played London,' Pauline says, with undisguised regret.
Then she speaks the first few lines of 'She is a Slave' and off we go again. Pauline moves along the stage as if explaining the song to each and everyone individually. Fred Purser, the blond lead guitarist travels between drum platform and microphone while Neale Floyd hides in the darkness at the back relentlessly punching out chords.
'Lovers of Outrage' from 'Moving Targets' album and then one of my personal favourites 'What's going on?' from 'Coming Up for Air' album. 'Party's Over', 'Killed in the Rush' follow and the audience reach fever pitch even at the very back of the hall. 'Phew it's so hot!' complains Pauline, removing her jacket. But the heat doesn't slow her down.
'Movement' the song made even more brilliant by the excellent light show with all thanks to Dave. The prominent bass line introduces the song and Robert Blamire with his newly acquired cream Rickenbacker stands back and lets Neale appear briefly at the front before quickly retreating again.
As on the album 'Too Many Friends' follows and Neale alternates with Robert as he moves into the spotlight. Black hair and black outfit he lurks backstage crashing out the chords but rarely coming forward.
'On Reflection' needed no introduction. Pure energy which accentuated Neale Floyd's brilliant guitar rhythms. This seemed to be the final spur and from out of the darkness he came to the front and the crowd went wild. Penetration were pulling out all the stops. Any ridiculous suggestions that the band would give below par performances after the split was announced were quickly dispelled.
The final three songs rose the temperature to a maximum. 'Nostalgia' and from the first note of the song the audience sang along. This was the song we'd been waiting for. The song builds upon itself gathering momentum but unlike a lot of bands the lyrics were crystal clear thanks to Ken at the desk.
' Come into the Open' the last single followed immediately building up to a quick climax and maintaining it for three minutes or more, with the whole band moving round stage, Pauline like a crazy puppet, the dark and mysterious Neale Floyd peppering the audience with sharp riffs.
'This is the last song,' announces Pauline but clearly it wasn't. 'Danger Signs' starts as it means to go on. Ruthless rhythm and drums and perfect soaring vocals. Why wasn't this a number 1 hit? Why didn't it get any airplay? Go into a record shop and ask them to play it and you'll wonder also. The band make a casual exit. Fire extinguishers and foam pies are thrown and the band and road crew enjoy private jokes. You couldn't help laughing with them.
The music press emphasised bad feeling amongst the band but there was none to be seen. Encore No. 1 and 'Freemoney', a song that shows that Pauline has one of the best voices in the business. Who's Patti Smith? ( in retrospect apologies to Patti Smith!)
The first single 'Don't Dictate'. The band couldn't have left without playing it. Off stage again and the usual set was finished. But isn't this a farewell gig? You're damned right! On the band came again with 'Firing Squad'. The whole band laughing, Pauline nearly missing her cue, Neale stripped to the waist. Gary throwing drumsticks to the audience, Robert clearly bewildered and Fred playing as close to the crowd as possible.
Pauline was glowing asking us in the front what we wanted to hear 'Money Talks', 'Stone Heroes' and then off they went again. Stamping as one the audience brought the band on again. The guy next to me shouted 'Race against Time' ( unrecorded ) and soon the whole audience shouted. So off we went again and into the last song ' Future Daze'. And the crowd exploded. This was what it was all about, Fun, Fun, No trouble, No hassles, No bouncers. It was a private party.
'That's the end. Thanks,' Pauline shouted and clearly couldn't find the right words to say. The crowd cheered, many in tears and they drifted off home, privileged to see such a performance.
Afterwards I helped the band pack away whilst all the familiar fans that follow the band around the country, permanent names on the guest list, were comforted by the band. Penetration care. Always putting themselves out to help you and chat to you. They let me sleep in their van overnight and if room had permitted, the hotel.
For those Penetration fans who couldn't make it to London let me reassure you that this isn't the end of the band but a beginning for a new one with new ideas and new hopes. This isn't an obituary like many music papers will make but a tribute to a unique family. Richard A Jackson
Visit Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls page.