Formed in Belfast in 1978, Protex were early pioneers of the Belfast Punk Movement. Signed to the now legendary Good Vibrations label, their debut release received great reviews and enjoyed widespread airplay on BBC Radio 1. They quickly came to the attention of Rough Trade Records, who released Don't Ring Me Up to wide acclaim. This in turn led to the band signing for Polydor Records, who released the singles I Can't Cope, followed by I Can Only Dream. The 1980s saw the band take to the road with the Boomtown Rats as well as embark on two extensive tours of their own throughout the US and Canada. An album was recorded with legendary producer Chas Chandler, who'd worked with, among others, Hendrix, The Animals and Slade. However, the band weren't happy with the result and after a final release, A Place in Your Heart, the band and label parted ways, Protex splitting soon after.