Poly Styrene – July 3rd 1957 – April 25th 2011
Poly Styrene
July 3rd 1957 – April 25th 2011
Poly Styrene fronted one of the most original high energy punk outfits of the Punk era. Born Marion Elliot in, her trademark day-glo clothes and tooth brace, virtually instantly established her as a punk icon. Live the band were an instant pop punk heroes, engaging, direct and fun. The band sprang into action, playing regularly from the late summer of 1977. A lot would have heard X-Ray Spex live if they ever picked up one of the ‘Live at the Roxy WC2’ series most of the second half of the gig is recorded.
The singles flowed ‘Oh Bondage Up Yours’ was an instant hit and anthem, followed with the crowd favourites and singles, ‘Germ Free Adolescence’, ‘Identity’, and The Day The world Turned Day-glo’ all of which, help make their debut landmark album, in the shape of ‘Germ Free Adolescence’ a hit when it was released through EMI in 1978. Marion’s lyrics also had an element of self expression, urging individualism and originality, lampooning the bland, as in Germ Free Adolescences’ and celebrating the of people’s own expressionism in songs like ‘Identity’. It was Marion’s breathless deliveries and her lyrics as much as her image, that carved the singer into punk history. Despite constant demands, the group were always ambivalent about their pop- like status, Poly Styrene disbanded the band in 1979 and joined the Krishna Consciousness Movement. X-ray Spex final single was ‘Highly Inflammable’ backed by the wonderful ‘Warrior In Woolworths’ Marion recounting her early days as a shop assistant.
Although she resumed her recording career with the 1980 album ‘Translucence’ and in 1986 released an EP ‘Gods And Goddesses’ no further commercial success gr
eeted the releases. X-Ray fans had one late hurrah, back in September 1995 ‘The Day The World Turned Day-glo event at Brixton Academy; Chelsea, The Lurkers, UK Subs, 999, Sham 69 all supported an inform Poly Styrene entertaining a packed out Academy.
Recent activity has been topped by the release of ‘Generation Indigo’ produced by Youth, he of Killing Joke fame, the album has been describes as Poly’s humorous musings on pop culture and has been received well in most quarters.
It is a sad loss of a true individual with a genuine ability to reflect on any influence around her and re-translate it all into her songs, infectious personality and powerful vocals scattered all over great singles through 1977, 78, 79 . An icon, she was the driving force behind one of the brightest bands in British punk, Marion, we all miss you.