The Allotropes were formed in Glengormley in 1978. The initial line up of the band featured founding members Steve Swales (vocals / guitar / synths, tape loops) and Colin Woods (guitar / synths, samples). They were joined by Peter Todd (bass) and Ken Hosick (drums). Essentially an experimental / industrial band, they released a number of cassettes and a CD featuring various different line-ups spaning their time together between 1979 and 1998. The band folded in 1990.