The Atrix
The Atrix from; Dublin Active; 1978 – 1983
Style; New Wave
Line up;
Guitar & Vocals; John Borrowman
Vocals & Keyboards; Chris Greene
Bass; Alan Finney later replace by Dick Conroy
Drums; Hugh Friel
The first concert the Atrix played was the 1978 Carnsore Point Anti Nuclear Rally. The original line up of Borrowman, Greene, Finney & Friel played this gig and recorded “Circus Tragedy” (produce by Phil Chevon) their first demo tape. Borrowman & Greene had formerly been in Berlin, Finney was formerly in The School Kids (known for wearing school Uniforms on stage). Friel had been with The Slow Motion Orchestra.
Teach Furbo
Teach Furbo is the venue for a two day festival in aid of Kampuchea. The first day is made up of Rock/New Wave bands, the second is Folk/Trad bands. Some of the bands appearing on the first day are Night Rider, D.C. Nien, Zebra, The Scheme, The Blades, Moondogs, Day Glows & Tears & Rust. I have seen a U2 poster for this gig, but I think this maybe a fake as I can find no evidence of U2 playing.
Debut Single
“The Moon Is Puce”/”Wendy’s In Amsterdam” was release on Mulligan records in Ireland. To this day it remains one one of the highest selling Irish singles.
White Heat New Wave Festival Gig Review
Donegal News Last thursday night in the Ballyraine the rock public finally came face to face with a great band that are destined to go places. The Atrix play a set which, for variety, courage, intelligence and unaffected musical polish leaves any other group years behind. They must rank amongst the more exciting groups t emerge out of the ashes of post punk era. The group were slick & fresh in their approach, playing a first night they did not conform to cover versions except once. With a great rendering of a disco song, “Light my Fire” by Ami Stewart.
They managed to capture the imagination of the audience through their sharp, witty, sensitive style. They capture frustration, anxiety and apathy but with their energy and exuberance they lift the audience rather than let them wallow. John Borrowman was great, communicating with the crowd, while producing quite unique vocal and guitar stylings. With the rest of the band, Chris Greene o keyboards, Hugh Friel on drums and Dick Conroy on bass, the Atrix were very exciting to watch and great to listen to.
The Stranglers
In October 1979 The Atrix had the support slot (Belfast & Dublin) with UK New Wave band the Stranglers. They also appeared on RTE’s prestigious “Late Late Show”. And ended 1979 by touring Ireland (Merry Atrix Tour) and recording the first home produced video by an Irish band.
1980 The Break Through
1980 was the breakthrough year for the band. They provided the standout single of the year with “Treasure On The Wasteland” on the Irish only album “Just For Kicks”, released in January. Later that month they accompanied Lene Lovich on her sellout Irish tour. This coincided with their second tv appearance on RTE’s premier rock show “Our Times”. In March they were the special guest of the Boomtown Rats at Leixlip Castle, playing in front of 14,000 people.
Project Arts Centre, Dublin
Early in May, The Atrix confirmed their status as a potential musical force when the soldout two nights at Dublin’s Project Arts Centre. They followed that up by playing an open air festival at Trinity College in front of a crowd of 3,000.
Double D Records
Their highly innovative music delivered with an innate sense of theatrics, charged with biting attack and humour had guaranteed them a niche of their own. They singed for Double D Records, a new UK independent label set up by 60’s recording star Dave Dee. Treasure On The Wasteland/Graphite, is released as a single in November. This coincides with the band playing dates in London, including The Hope & Anchor, 101 Club, Half Moon & The Greyhound.
12 Date Tour of the UK with The Boomtown Rats
Another big break for the band comes in January 1981 when the band are invited to join the Boomtown Rats on their 12 date tour of the UK. Treasure On The Wasteland is released in the UK to coincided with the Tour.