Part One
This is a part one of a two part post about the legendary black feminist punk band, X-Ray Spex.
The original line up of this explosive band was Poly Styrene, Jack Airport, Paul Dean, Paul B. P. Hurding, and Lora Logic.
Poly Styrene was inspired to form her band after seeing the Sex Pistols. Little did she know the enormous impact her band would have on the Punk Rock World!
Poly (whose real name is Marianne, by the way) got to know Johnny Rotten. It says a lot that Johnny was actually a bit stunned by Poly’s…oddness. Poly was a lot of things. One thing she actively tried not to be was a sex symbol. She claimed that she would rather shave her head than to be seen that way. And she did. According to legend, she actually shaved her had at Johnny Rotten’s apartment. How Punk is that?
The Beginning
X-Ray Spex was formed in 1976, at a time when punk movement in Britain was picking up speed. This band were active pioneers to the genre. In 1977, X-Ray Spex recorded their most recognizable song. The feminist anthem, Oh Bondage, Up Yours!
In late 1977, the sax player Lora Logic, who was actually a student (hence her rather studious stage name), wanted to finish her education. She was replaced by someone named John Glyn.
In 1978, they released their debut album! What set X-Ray Spex apart was Poly Styrene’s delightfully shrill and gravelly voice, and the saxophone, which was fairly unusual in Punk music.
X-Ray Spex went on hiatus in 1979. It would be about 13 years before they are heard from again. Look out for Part 2 of X-Ray Spex!
Remember, the most Punk Rock thing you can be is unapologetically YOU!
Black Punk Rock 101 