15 February 2023

One of the most genuine Britpunk bands of
the late ’70s was, unquestionably, X-RAY SPEX.

School friends Marianne Joan Elliott-Saidn, loudmouth Poly Styrene, and
Susan Whitby, saxophonist Lora Logic, started the group in 1976 and made
an instant intense impact on London‘s punk scene with loud and clear feminist
punk manifestos, but they also ranted about our consumer society, environment
issues and other essential daily life problems.

They sounded amazing, they looked amazing and they
made an amazing debut LP with Germ Free Adolescents.

By 1979 Styrene left the band an ddid some solo work and
later X-Ray Spex had some reunion shows, but in 2011 Poly
was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn’t survive the
cruel attack on her body. She was only 53. R.I.P.

Three great X-Ray moments.

– THE DAY THE WORLD TURNED DAY GLO –

– IDENTITY –

– OH BONDAGE! UP YOURS! –
(Saxy live version. ACE!)

Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard
But I think “oh bondage, up yours!”
One-two-three-four!
Bind me, tie me, chain me to the wall
I wanna be a slave to you all
Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more

X-RAY SPEX: Story