Formed in 1976 in the North-East of England, Penetration became a major part of the punk rock movement in the UK. Led by Pauline Murray, the band offered a unique mixture of bubbly pop and sharp punk aggression. They released two albums and a handful of singles during their relatively short time in operation, which saw the band confront and critique social issues, from racism to sexism. Their single "Don't Dictate" gained considerable attention, both due to its social commentary and its professional production quality. Despite critical acclaim, Penetration disbanded in 1979. They launched a reunion in 2001 that saw the band performing at many European and Australian festivals, and they continue to tour to this day.