Originating from Dublin and formed in 1978, the Atrix secured the support slot on the Rats Jan 1981 tour across the UK to promote Mondo Bongo.
Formed by John Barrowman (vocals) and Chris Green (keyboards), the band were described as combining a strong theatrical element with quirky memorable songs. Their two first singles were well received, those being The Moon is Puce and Treasure On The Wasteland (produced by Midge Ure).
Their only album, ’Procession’ was released in 1981, after which the band folded, reforming under a number of iterations in the following years.
Barrowman went onto to release 2 books of poetry and passed away in 1998 while living in Copenhagen. Elements of the band reformed in 2019 to perform live in celebrating the release of a special anthology album, entitled Dublin 1979-1981.
In similar fashion to Protex (1979), the support slot perhaps didn’t provide the boost they may have hoped for, splitting up soon after.
I have to be honest in saying that I can’t actually remember the band, despite seeing a couple of shows from the tour. If anyone has some memories it would be great if you shared them.
Not a band I’m familiar with either; I didn’t catch any gigs on that tour. I have vague recollection of getting a cheque sent back from whichever box office in London (don’t think it would have been the Rainbow though 🤔), so this is the first time I have heard anything by them. Seem like the classic support band if there is such a thing- much better than your average bunch of amateurs in a pub but no real USP or hook to propel them into the full limelight. That first single reminded me a little of another Dublin/Bray band a few years later, early 90s, called the Pale. This was the track that caught my attention.