A to Z of N. Ireland Punk Bands

POSITIVE REACTION

Positive Reaction were a little known four piece punk band from Fermanagh that existed in the early 1980’s. The band were Rodney (Ted) Breen, lead singer, Simeon Moore, bass, Geoff Morrow guitar and Robert Morrow drums. The Morrow brothers had arrived in N. Ireland from Leeds and both had attended Lisnaskea High School. The band all lived in Lisnaskea apart from lead singer Ted who lived in Enniskillen and attended Portora School with Simeon. Geoff recalls “Ted would get the bus from Enniskillen twice a week for rehearsals in my dad’s outbuilding which we had turned into a practice base. Simeon’s dad used to bring him and his giant bass amp to the rehearsals”.

The band played pUnk covers by artists such as the Sex Pistol’s “Belsen Was A Gas” and “Silly Thing”. They also played Ruts, Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers covers in their set too. The band played at parties, functions and pubs in the Lisnaskea area. Geoff recalls “In the early 80’s it was difficult to get gigs in pubs as punk was frowned upon as being too anti establishment. To a certain extent, we were the ones who brought punk into Lisnaskea, where spiked hair and chains were taboo and country and western ruled”. The band split up in 1982 with the members going their separate ways to concentrate on education and trades. Geoff again “We will always be grateful for being part of a musical phenomenon that changed our outlook on music forever and eternally grateful to the Sex Pistols, without whom none of this would have been possible. Thanks also to Trevor, George and Anthony for their valued support”.

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