Voltage formed on the Springfield Road in West Belfast in 1978 with the loan of a Selmar 50w pa amp/speaker from Gerry & Paul Trainor. Practice sessions at Clonard Monastery Belfast ensued with the original line up of Alan Murray vocals, Brian O’Donnell lead guitar, Eugene Gracey bass, Brendan Fitzpatrick lead guitar, Micky Magee (RIP) drums and Alex Campbell (RIP) vocals.

The band’s initial live gigs were chaotic to say the least with a lack of proper equipment proving a real hindrance; however with song-writing duo Alan Murray (lyrics) & Brian O’Donnell (music) the band possessed much vigour and enthusiasm. With an obvious Clash influence, Voltage songs were original in both concept and delivery and contained a lyrical potency reflecting the society in which they lived. Song titles included “Zimbabwe”, “People Change”, “Only Yesterday”, “Karma Dawn”, “Elephants Are Grey”, “A Girl Called Paris”, “Plastic People”, “What Is Love?”, “Free Inside” and “Puppets”. The bands live set also included “Garageland” by The Clash and “First Time” by The Boys.

Live gigs however proved hard to find and as such many early gigs were organised by the band themselves. Voltage made their live debut on 28th October 1978 in Clonard Hall. In February 1979 they put together ‘The Rock Road Show` at a local church hall where 500+ teenagers turned up to watch Voltage, LSD, Fairfax, Positive Action, Flicknife and The Strainz. Other live gig highlights include an appearance at the ‘Glen Festival” where they played alongside Rudi, The Outcasts and The Bankrobbers. Brian O’Donnell “At around 8pm in proceedings, just as we were about to take to the stage The Outcasts came to us and said they were going on NOW! They simply brushed past us (I’m being polite) and went on stage. I have used this story for many years now as the Outcasts supported us up at Glen Festival ha ha”. Voltage also played gigs English bands Crash and Oxy And The Morons. The latter achieved a mockium of notoriety by writing a song about the Falls Road which was released on one of the two singles which the band issued. Voltage also played a mini tour of Dublin with The Bankrobbers which saw them play the likes of McGonagles.

Voltage had a few line up changes over the years, which included second drummer Seamy O’Neill (who is perhaps better remembered as drummer with The Bankrobbers). Seamy played with the band in 1979/80 after replacing original drummer Micky Magee (RIP). Seamy was replaced by Paul Collins in 1980 until the band eventually fizzled out. Guitarists included Sean O’Hanlon, Vinty Mcauley, John Carson and Damien McCorry.

In 1981 the band decided on a name change prompted by Mark Walmsley, the then manager of The Bankrobbers. It was his view that the band needed an image more akin to Echo & Bunnymen and he came up with Ivan And The Frames, complete with logo “Who Is Ivan?” By 1982 however the name had been changed again, this time to Cast Of Thousands and they were joined by backing singers Marie Murray & Nuala Cormican at one memorable gig at the Clubhouse on the Glen road with Just Destiny. Despite the name changes the band continued to play old Voltage material and write their own material up until the band eventually fizzled out in the same year.

Readers Write by Jim McLaughlin from Alternative Ulster Fanzine Issue

You probably do not know where the Clonard Hall is. It is in Clonard St, off the Falls Rd. That does not matter anyway. What matters is that on Saturday 28th October Voltage played their first gig there. Voltage are a group composed of teenagers, none of whom are more than 16 years old. They are Alan Murray and Alex Campbell on vocals, Brendy Fitzpatrick and Brian O´Donnell on guitars, Eugene Gracey on bass and Mickey Magee on drums.

There are a hundred people in the audience when Voltage come on stage; they are supported by a group of pathetic Motors imitators called Bagatelle. A nervous Voltage, although ragged in places, got nothing like the reception they deserved. They have all the vitality and punch that groups such as the Detonators lack. Their limited set was composed mostly of covers, including red hot versions of “Hurry up, Harry” and “Holidays In The Sun”. However, they did do two of their songs - “Take It From Me” and “Puppets”. Both went down well, the former showing a Hot Rods influence. Alan, Brendy and Brian write fast originals, bursting with vitality.

Given the chance by someone like Terri Hooley , Voltage are capable of making an excellent single. They play fast, fierce rock music with a frantic, sweat-breaking performance, especially Eugene, who uses his bass as machine gun while leaping about in a frenzy; I could only compare him to Mick Jones for liveliness.

So there, you have it. It will probably be Christmas before Voltage get another gig - they have to borrow a P.A. and amps. I think it is time you gave some of the smaller bands coverage so why not print this letter to give them some support.

On 29th March 2022 Spit Records released Shellshock Rockers Vol. 3, a compilation CD of previously unreleased tracks, all salvaged from old cassette tapes. This included Voltage track ' Take It From Me (Free Inside)'.