So what is your favourite girl-punk anthem? Comment below Here is a Spotify playlist of all the Oh Bondage Up Yours inspired songs mentioned in the video as well as your suggestions: open.spotify.com/playlist/2GPGI0jhKMNIVnLPt7jijr?si=VLDqFrZ5QSK-dYi71k_trw Trash Theory playlists - Spotify: tinyurl.com/yxp32pjf Deezer: tinyurl.com/y2mdp8h2 Also if you want to help out, here's my patreon link: patreon.com/trashtheory
@@Djarra I kept thinking of The Gits watching this. I'm surprised they didn't get name checked. The line of descent from Poly Styrene to Mia Zapata seems even stronger than Bikini Kill or Slater Kinney.
As mentioned above, Le Tigre, their whole first album is brilliant but thats just Kathleen Hanna doing what she does best. Another favourite of mine is The Moldy Peaches, more no-fi than punk, but still very good.
Half the time Trash Theory covers a band or song that I love and thought nobody else appreciated, and half the time I’m learning about a band/song that I’m going to obsess over and hunt down the entire back catalogue. X-Ray Spex I had heard of but never heard; now I’m a fan.
That's why I like the Trash Theory series so much; it gets me interested in bands I'd never heard of and also giving me a deeper appreciation for a song or a band I already love.
Indeed, very talented, clever, unique, & influential in music & culture, but unfortunately misunderstood, exploited, & succumbed to other unsavory pressures; so burned very bright, very fast, & too soon. The message should have persisted but generally lost so people became susceptible & vulnerable, although maybe some aspects have resurged but still concern for becoming heisted & exploited: recognize those just ethics & moral actions required for involvement & accountability (Marianne experienced & recognized good & bad treatment from everybody), respect & protect individual freedom but still feeling together & accepted, wary of conforming to unethical & destructive conditions such as bad policies, awful cultural or peer influences along with massive excessive consumption always promoted (,greenwashing) without regard but externalizing environmental destruction, resource extraction, polluting, poisoning, & destroying beside conflict for profit, corruption, distorted values, undeservedly imposed austerity, disparity, & injustice promoted or endured by anybody, ... Better days contrary to those maladies for elevating & celebrating every soul, opportunity, fulfillment, & happiness! Poly deserves appreciation, we should heed contemplation & wisdom in her lyrical messages, be invigorated by her eternally youthful energy, get together & stick it!
agreed. I'm always looking for "new" old music. I keep thinking I've heard everything, but I am continually finding more obscure gems. this channel is a big help.
Don't remember if I heard them in the 70s, but read about them in the early 90s. Their CDs were hard to get in the states back then, but on trip to Europe in 95 went to record store with a list of albums to buy. Picked up one their CDs along with the Members too. They soon became a band I would share with everyone. Another band from back in the late 70s are the Fabulous Poodles too.
In my house, Poly Styrene is treated as an icon. In my teens she helped soothe my dysphoria....as I grew older, she helped me understand that all along I had been fine, that it was just fine that I was a woman in this world. She helped me see the world and myself with her lyrics and style and way.
Germfree Adolescents is one of the most underrated albums of the 70's, if you have never heard it go and give it a try, I promise you will not be disappointed.......R.I.P Poly you are a legend.
I was three years old when this came out. I was listening to pop country. 44 years later, and I finally caught up. Thank the universe for this channel and people like you. I bet you have stories galore. Good to know you're out there, my friend!
As a Somali girl, Poly is just kind of representation that I support; confident, independent and knows she has something important to say and doesn't care who hears it. A Woman with a capital W to me.
1994 I was 16 and a budding amateur punk historian. I walk into Roundhouse Records, and on the wall between the DIY vintage punk 7-inch's is this day-glow album with these bizarre looking kids in vials. The owner of the store, Pete, convinces me that this record is worth my hard-earned $30 i made from dishwashing on the weekends. Needless to to say, I bought it, took it home, and my mind was just blown open. I'm so glad that she's getting her recognition finally, but I'm just sorry it took history so long to catch up to Poly.
Me too. And me too. It’s still a clarion call, a throwback to when I was a little less establishment. It does the heart good to know it existed and still does.
One of the first gigs I ever went to was Xray Spex 14 May 1978 at the Roundhouse. I had literally just turned 15. They were supported by the original incarnation of Adam and Ants. Like Poly Styrene I was also a young, mixed-race kid from South London and as said in this video it was hard growing up in London at that time mixed-race. That gig was a scary experience, as was getting back to South London from Camden late at night, on your own, as a 15 year old mixed-race Punk in those days!
I had no idea that PS had such a fraught time due to her mental health. Such an amazing presence. Thanks so much for this episode, brilliant as always.
I’m not surprised. Almost from the start she had a lot to deal with in her life. The black kids abusing her at school, then as her band made the big time, the media never once understanding what she was about.
RIP Poly. She was always ahead of the pack. A couple of my favorite Punk songs with killer female vocals are: Penetration (Pauline Murray) "Come into the open" , and the Avengers (Penelope Houston) (I had a huge crush on her back then) "American in me" or "Fuck You". And X-Ray Spex (Poly Styrene) of course, "Let's submerge", "Warrior in Woolworths", and "Germ-free adolescents" are 3 of the coolest early punk songs. There are a bunch of others, but those are 3 of my absolute favorites. Another great video, keep it up. Peace.
i feel like x ray spex hits so different when ur a biracial disabled theydy tho 😭 its not just that it was a young lady up on stage singing unapologetic anti consumer bops. she was a mirror for so so much more than just "women in punk". RIP poly 🖤🖤🖤
Yeah this is a tough subject. In the States most people do not want to talk about it and the people that really need the help don't get it and they end up being an issue becauae they are not being taken care of, properly medicated and they end up in places where they are at a disadvantage and in a precarious situation. I deal with a few at work and I do not work anywhere near mental health, not even adjacent to it. My main question is if the US is the world's only super power then why the fuck can they not take care of the most vulnerable people in society? I already know that is because its not really a money maker like the military industrial complex. Still, most places in the UK and EU have a better standard of living and better healthcare than here.
@@gringogreen4719 , I like your style, because it seems sincere. From what I know, which isn't much more than you but similar to you, we don't, as a species, understand very much about the mind and its derangements. That said, in order to care for these folks, as we should want, is not a scintilla of the military industrial complex in cost but a mobilization and attitude of not accepting failure as the model should be. We've made great progress but at a disastrous course and cost.
@@paineoftheworld Well part of the avoidance is a "survival of the fittest" which is actually bullshit. You do better working in small groups like families and tribes. I think the biggest sticking points is that it is messy and it takes time and effort. Keep in mind there are people with mental issues where their drive and focus is applauded with recognition and money becauae their work actually pays off. Think Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. There is also the aspect where most people struggle with an issue or issues and trying to take care of someone else just reminds them of their own issues/insecurities/concerns and most people would rather not address those things or just ignore them. There are others that just have no basis of understanding because they are so vanilla that trying to comprehend something as complex is just beyond their scope of understanding. So those people can do harm when they are actually trying to help. Anyways, people are messy and punters want simple explanations so they can go back to their boring lives. Other times like at my job, this shit is beyond my pay grade and I just want to get through my day as smoothly as possible. I am also not a mental health professional.
I remember first hearing x ray spex and their song oh bondage up yours was when I was like 10-11 and saw Sid and Nancy for the first time. I remember thinking that the song was way better than any of the Sex Pistols songs in the film, and wondering why the movie didn’t actually introduce us to the band, they just played that one song at a show and never showed up again. Years later I noticed that none of the punks I grew up with knew who they were even though I hey had all seen Sid and Nancy, and wondered how such an awesome band could be so overlooked even though they had an awesome song in a movie everyone had seen. Then even more years later I realized that it’s because they were a female fronted band and all the punks I knew were sexist and didn’t wanna hear a girl singing about those subjects. But you know what they say: “Some ppl think little girls should be seen and not heard...”
Sid was all about the image. Poly went beyond that, and was actually talented. Couldn't agree with you more about her and X-Ray Spex being overlooked. I personally rate them up there as one of the most important bands in the punk movement.
I've been waiting so long for someone to make a video like this about X-Ray Spex and I'm so happy to see this has introduced some people to them! They're imo, the best punk band of the "originals" and their influence is unmatched, but they never seem to get the credit they deserve and it's criminal. One of my favorite girl-punk anthems is No.1 Must Have by Sleater-Kinney, it's not just a banger but the lyrics are a call to action kind of reminiscent of Bondage. Highly recommend!
Wow, Ive had Germ Free Adolescents since it became available again on cd in the '90's. I grew up in a very restrictive Christian household and would find out about bands at school but inevitably wasnt allowed to own the music. I liked, no LOVED the Cure, I got Whitney Houston for christmas 😝. I left when I was 15, Mom realised I was gay and when I returned at 17 (1992/3) I was a fully formed little grunge monster. The world has changed so much, its crazy. I got a diagnosis of Bipolar but it seems to me its been mainly used against me, to control me, not to "help me". Poly was one of those great under-rated women who should have been more that society allowed RIP Marion 😙
Finally someone! I feel like Killing Joke is criminally underrated band. Such an infuential act. Nirvana, NIN, Manson, Ministry, Soungarden, Metallica...... list goes on, owe a big one to Killing Joke's unique sound. The band is still active and the latest records are monsters! Killing Joke is truly one of a kind!
now I'm gonna go and check out all the female bands he mentioned in the end and also x-ray specs. This channel is gold for finding new music I've never heard before
Hey, be sure to check out Kleenex (later known as Liliput, after Kleenex tissues threatened them with a lawsuit if they didn't change their name- crapitaliszt wankers!), an amazing Swiss women-only first-wave punk group - tragically, they're even MORE overlooked than X-Ray Spex, which is simply criminal. I actually love them more than the Spex, even though all I could get ahold of back then was "Ain't You", as featured on the amazing 1980 Rough Trade singles compilation album "Wanna Buy A Bridge". But all their stuff is well worth checking out, trust me! There's even a video of two of their songs on UA-cam ("Beri Beri" & "Nice"), recorded in some studio somewhere, & while it's nice to see what the gals looked like, their "performance" has to be one of the most wooden I've ever seen (oh well! LoL). (...& who nose, you may have already discovered them, as I see your comment's 2 years old! Oh well, better late than never, I spoze..! Cheers from a 2nd-wave early-80s-era Punk in Aotearoa, New Zealand 😊🖖👍✌ )
L7, Babes in Toyland, 7 Year Bitch, The Distillers, Hole, Bikini Kill, Light Asylum, Chicks on Speed, Le Tigre, Jack Off Jill, Pussy Riot, etc etc etc. So many GREAT bands!
When the Windsor/Detroit alternative radio station 89X first came on the air in '89 or '90, they used those opening lines to "Oh! Bondage... " as part of their station identification ad. Hell of a brand statement. ;)
Fav girl punk anthem? Gotta be "Deathwish" or "Fast and Frightening" by L7. Always loved them to be honest, probably not the most "punk approved" of the lot, but I love their stuff. And now: utterly, completely, no doubt about it unrelated, but: I hope you do something on Discharge one day. Cheers!
I saw X-ray spex when I was a14 yr old in 1978 and it was filmed !! For the documentary (free on You Tube) called "" Who is Polly Styrene'' it came on TV 📺 when she died and I saw myself in the crowd... It was crazy! 😻 seems like yesterday ,RIP Polly, we love you sweetie xxx
Why are the Ramones always left out of these retrospectives of punk? Malcolm McLaren saw the Ramones in New York and decided to create a British version. The Sex Pistols.
This is a british channel so you have to expect more of a british point of view here. But the difference between the US and britain is that punk in britain became a national large youth phenomenon and fad which included fashion already in 1977 which could even top the charts and become a national scandal in newspapers and TV which was even becoming already involved in politics and large open air concerts, while punk in the US in the 1970s was more of a secret underground thing of a few hipsters in a few cities which only influenced much more commercial and pop "new wave" acts such as The Cars or the Blondie and only in the 1980s the much larger national, but still underground and non commercial, hardcore scene
@EclecticoIconoclasta Punk was well known in the UK but still not acceptable. Many Radio One DJs refused to play punk records, and they couldn't get on TV at first. Annie Nightingale sneaked the Adverts in through a side door in the BBC studios to appear on The Old Grey Whistle Tesr. She knew they wouldn't get past the door men by the front door.
Man I loved X-Ray Specs. As a geordie, Pauline Murray and Penetration (still together and playing), Don't Dictate was my favourite punk anthem. They were my favourite live band as well.
Poly and the X Ray Spex are in my opinion one of the total best girl fronted band ever. They were unique and unlike a lot of other punk bands they were their own thing which makes them truly punk rock.
Wow, didn't know about any of this! This woman is amazing...I already feel like I can relate to her a lot. I must thank you for introducing me to her and this band, I truly appreciate it. There are so many artists who don't get much exposure but are just as influential as the more notorious names
I used to go to cbgbs and Max's Kansas City a few times a week back in 77 thru 79, no matter who was playing. I saw an advert saying a band from England was playing, it was X-ray Specs and they were incredible! There weren't too many bands back then with female singers, Poly was amazing!
great video! Ive had oh bondage up yours in my playlist for a few years without knowing anything about the band or the origins of the song. Thank you for posting this! I personally love L7's Shitlist
@@feministadentata4041 X-Ray Spex are one of those bands that I've always heard of, but knew nothing about. Definitely going to check them out. Also, can we take a moment for the best stage name ever? Dinah Cancer.
This is crazy, I literally just listened to X-ray Spex about 4 hours ago. I think it was around '93 is when I listened to them last. What a fun trip down memory lane. I love Germ Free Adolescent. Genetic Engineering is awesome too
X-Ray Spex is one of my favorite bands of all time. True punks doing their own thing on multiple levels without getting too preachy. If you've got the urge, c'mon let's submerge.
Awesome documentary. I was vaguely aware of Polly Styrene, but didn't know anything about her. So thank you for such an informative look into her life and her music.
I somehow never put together that Essential Logic was Lora Logic post-Specs. Still remarkable that this is the group William Bennet Of Whitehouse came out of. The then upstart genres sure did establish themselves quickly in that period.
Poly Styrene told the magazine "The Big Takeover" that she did have voice lessons as a child. Her distinct singing style was a deliberate choice because it projected well.
Great video, I’m listening to Germfree Adolescents now 🤘 Would love to see videos on: Talk Talk The Fall XTC Minutemen John Otway Butthole Surfers Half Man Half Biscuit Dr. Feelgood John Cooper Clarke The Adverts Also I noticed you did a video about TOTP you should also make one about the far superior & legendary ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ 🤘
great vid... for my fave girl punk anthem... the little known, but still worth digging out Death of Innocence by LA Punk band Legal Weapon... to tie things back to your videos the early line up of Legal Weapon featured Patricia Morrison - later of The Gun Club, The Sisters of Mercy and the Damned on bass.. speaking of The Damned... thanks for including the Damned in the intro.. mostly UK punk coverage is all about the Pistols and the Clash with the Damned getting overlooked all too often..
@@GGMBW That's interesting. But total night and day difference. I would say there were several years difference when each would receive their diagnosis but Poly definitely had a rougher experience since it ended her career. Adam's experience was throughout from before he was Adam Ant and even though he experienced different things at different times, he was able to keep his career going way longer than Poly had. Both had rough goes when they went in but once in, that was it for Poly's career. I know he still has plans for post Pandemic shows at this point.
In the spirit of Xray Spex, The Bags, "Survive" fronted by Alicia "Alice Bag" Armendariz. Sadly underrated, as are most of those first wave LA punk bands.
Was waiting for this entry, X-Ray Spex is one of my favorite bands. I didn’t see a mention of the Slits but they are also another amazing punk band that I love from that era
I was at a Stiff Little Fingers gig last year right before lockdown and saw Tessa from The Slits there, she kept dancing into me and standing on my shoes but it was so cool to be in her presence!
Another awesome video about a highly influential but often over looked artist. I first heard about Xray Spex after Glitoris covered "Oh Bondage" with Amanda Palmer (2 other amazing female genre defying "punk" acts).
The X-ray Spex gig I went to at Eric's in Liverpool is in the Documentry "Who is Polly Styrene ' the camera goes strait past me, ,as it sweeps into the packed club when Polly died they showed it on TV and I saw myself i onTV as a 15 yr old Punk ,
So what is your favourite girl-punk anthem? Comment below
Here is a Spotify playlist of all the Oh Bondage Up Yours inspired songs mentioned in the video as well as your suggestions:
open.spotify.com/playlist/2GPGI0jhKMNIVnLPt7jijr?si=VLDqFrZ5QSK-dYi71k_trw
Trash Theory playlists - Spotify: tinyurl.com/yxp32pjf Deezer: tinyurl.com/y2mdp8h2
Also if you want to help out, here's my patreon link: patreon.com/trashtheory
Deceptacon by Le Tigre. One of the classic diss tracks of all time.
‘Second Skin’ by The Gits.
@@Djarra I kept thinking of The Gits watching this. I'm surprised they didn't get name checked. The line of descent from Poly Styrene to Mia Zapata seems even stronger than Bikini Kill or Slater Kinney.
As mentioned above, Le Tigre, their whole first album is brilliant but thats just Kathleen Hanna doing what she does best. Another favourite of mine is The Moldy Peaches, more no-fi than punk, but still very good.
It’s gotta be The Slits. RIP Ari Up. 😢
Half the time Trash Theory covers a band or song that I love and thought nobody else appreciated, and half the time I’m learning about a band/song that I’m going to obsess over and hunt down the entire back catalogue. X-Ray Spex I had heard of but never heard; now I’m a fan.
That's why I like the Trash Theory series so much; it gets me interested in bands I'd never heard of and also giving me a deeper appreciation for a song or a band I already love.
Indeed, very talented, clever, unique, & influential in music & culture, but unfortunately misunderstood, exploited, & succumbed to other unsavory pressures; so burned very bright, very fast, & too soon. The message should have persisted but generally lost so people became susceptible & vulnerable, although maybe some aspects have resurged but still concern for becoming heisted & exploited: recognize those just ethics & moral actions required for involvement & accountability (Marianne experienced & recognized good & bad treatment from everybody), respect & protect individual freedom but still feeling together & accepted, wary of conforming to unethical & destructive conditions such as bad policies, awful cultural or peer influences along with massive excessive consumption always promoted (,greenwashing) without regard but externalizing environmental destruction, resource extraction, polluting, poisoning, & destroying beside conflict for profit, corruption, distorted values, undeservedly imposed austerity, disparity, & injustice promoted or endured by anybody, ... Better days contrary to those maladies for elevating & celebrating every soul, opportunity, fulfillment, & happiness! Poly deserves appreciation, we should heed contemplation & wisdom in her lyrical messages, be invigorated by her eternally youthful energy, get together & stick it!
agreed. I'm always looking for "new" old music. I keep thinking I've heard everything, but I am continually finding more obscure gems. this channel is a big help.
Don't remember if I heard them in the 70s, but read about them in the early 90s. Their CDs were hard to get in the states back then, but on trip to Europe in 95 went to record store with a list of albums to buy. Picked up one their CDs along with the Members too. They soon became a band I would share with everyone. Another band from back in the late 70s are the Fabulous Poodles too.
You might also dig Kleenex/Liliput
4 foot 5? Are you sure you don't meant 5 foot 4? She doesn't look THAT short.
Yeah I was finna say
" Some People Think Little Girls Should be Seen & Not Heard , But I Think ...Oh Bondage Up Yours ! " 1 2 3 4 . . 🎷
Legendary.
👍
Absolute class ⚡
In my house, Poly Styrene is treated as an icon. In my teens she helped soothe my dysphoria....as I grew older, she helped me understand that all along I had been fine, that it was just fine that I was a woman in this world. She helped me see the world and myself with her lyrics and style and way.
What does being a crying hag got to do with anything?
Germfree Adolescents is one of the most underrated albums of the 70's, if you have never heard it go and give it a try, I promise you will not be disappointed.......R.I.P Poly you are a legend.
I feel finally vindicated after 44 years, I bought Oh Bondage when it came out and raved about it but my mates couldn't dig it.
I was three years old when this came out. I was listening to pop country. 44 years later, and I finally caught up. Thank the universe for this channel and people like you. I bet you have stories galore. Good to know you're out there, my friend!
No you didn't.
How could anyone not dig that? I guess they didn't like Punk at all.
Goes to show how you always had exceptional taste in music :)
As a Somali girl, Poly is just kind of representation that I support; confident, independent and knows she has something important to say and doesn't care who hears it. A Woman with a capital W to me.
she was an amazing woman.x
@@susanhooper6431 that she was :)
She was
I love her and I've loved Xray-Spex since 1979.
Marianne was English, though don't let that prevent your admiration & inspiration.
the use of the saxophone for punk music is a damn brilliant choice, I love x-ray spex
The Contortions did it plenty
1994 I was 16 and a budding amateur punk historian. I walk into Roundhouse Records, and on the wall between the DIY vintage punk 7-inch's is this day-glow album with these bizarre looking kids in vials. The owner of the store, Pete, convinces me that this record is worth my hard-earned $30 i made from dishwashing on the weekends. Needless to to say, I bought it, took it home, and my mind was just blown open. I'm so glad that she's getting her recognition finally, but I'm just sorry it took history so long to catch up to Poly.
their Germ Free Adolescence album is mandatory for every punk collection. 100% energy and filled with great songs.
I bought it as a teenager. I'm 60 now. Poly's subvervise, consumer-baiting songs have never been bettered.
Me too. And me too. It’s still a clarion call, a throwback to when I was a little less establishment.
It does the heart good to know it existed and still does.
As someone who has listened to punk for more than 40 years, I consider ''Oh Bondage, Up Yours"! The greatest punk rock song ever created!
You are probably right.
It does what the pistols did, to the pistols. It's punk on a second level.
One of the first gigs I ever went to was Xray Spex 14 May 1978 at the Roundhouse. I had literally just turned 15. They were supported by the original incarnation of Adam and Ants.
Like Poly Styrene I was also a young, mixed-race kid from South London and as said in this video it was hard growing up in London at that time mixed-race.
That gig was a scary experience, as was getting back to South London from Camden late at night, on your own, as a 15 year old mixed-race Punk in those days!
I had no idea that PS had such a fraught time due to her mental health. Such an amazing presence. Thanks so much for this episode, brilliant as always.
I’m not surprised. Almost from the start she had a lot to deal with in her life. The black kids abusing her at school, then as her band made the big time, the media never once understanding what she was about.
I never heard of this band until now. This is amazing. I'm going to listen to more of their works.
Enjoy : Her lyrics are powerful and unsurpassed.
Awesome. Have a blast
Whooo! Love Poly! Can't wait for the documentary (I Am A Cliché) on her to come out!
OH SHIT! Didn’t even know they were making one!!! Pumped!!
it already has came out wdym
@@willyoufade lmao ya I realized that right after haha 😎
@@PinkyPuff69 it's on youtube now.
well it was on youtube last week.
LUV how you reference Don Letts' "Punk: documentary." It's long been my fave doc covering this era.
The most influential documentary in my life
RIP Poly. She was always ahead of the pack. A couple of my favorite Punk songs with killer female vocals are: Penetration (Pauline Murray) "Come into the open" , and the Avengers (Penelope Houston) (I had a huge crush on her back then) "American in me" or "Fuck You". And X-Ray Spex (Poly Styrene) of course, "Let's submerge", "Warrior in Woolworths", and "Germ-free adolescents" are 3 of the coolest early punk songs. There are a bunch of others, but those are 3 of my absolute favorites. Another great video, keep it up. Peace.
i feel like x ray spex hits so different when ur a biracial disabled theydy tho 😭 its not just that it was a young lady up on stage singing unapologetic anti consumer bops. she was a mirror for so so much more than just "women in punk". RIP poly 🖤🖤🖤
Poly's 2011 album _Generation Indigo_ is brilliant. Her final goodbye.
What a heartbreaking story - the history of mental health and its care in this world is abominable. And today, still is.
You have to watch the documentary film her daughter has released just recently (I am a Cliche). Her story is heartbreaking but so inspiring
@@A_G_85 , thanks, I think I will.
Yeah this is a tough subject. In the States most people do not want to talk about it and the people that really need the help don't get it and they end up being an issue becauae they are not being taken care of, properly medicated and they end up in places where they are at a disadvantage and in a precarious situation. I deal with a few at work and I do not work anywhere near mental health, not even adjacent to it.
My main question is if the US is the world's only super power then why the fuck can they not take care of the most vulnerable people in society?
I already know that is because its not really a money maker like the military industrial complex. Still, most places in the UK and EU have a better standard of living and better healthcare than here.
@@gringogreen4719 , I like your style, because it seems sincere. From what I know, which isn't much more than you but similar to you, we don't, as a species, understand very much about the mind and its derangements. That said, in order to care for these folks, as we should want, is not a scintilla of the military industrial complex in cost but a mobilization and attitude of not accepting failure as the model should be.
We've made great progress but at a disastrous course and cost.
@@paineoftheworld
Well part of the avoidance is a "survival of the fittest" which is actually bullshit. You do better working in small groups like families and tribes. I think the biggest sticking points is that it is messy and it takes time and effort.
Keep in mind there are people with mental issues where their drive and focus is applauded with recognition and money becauae their work actually pays off. Think Bill Gates or Steve Jobs.
There is also the aspect where most people struggle with an issue or issues and trying to take care of someone else just reminds them of their own issues/insecurities/concerns and most people would rather not address those things or just ignore them. There are others that just have no basis of understanding because they are so vanilla that trying to comprehend something as complex is just beyond their scope of understanding. So those people can do harm when they are actually trying to help.
Anyways, people are messy and punters want simple explanations so they can go back to their boring lives. Other times like at my job, this shit is beyond my pay grade and I just want to get through my day as smoothly as possible. I am also not a mental health professional.
I remember first hearing x ray spex and their song oh bondage up yours was when I was like 10-11 and saw Sid and Nancy for the first time. I remember thinking that the song was way better than any of the Sex Pistols songs in the film, and wondering why the movie didn’t actually introduce us to the band, they just played that one song at a show and never showed up again. Years later I noticed that none of the punks I grew up with knew who they were even though I hey had all seen Sid and Nancy, and wondered how such an awesome band could be so overlooked even though they had an awesome song in a movie everyone had seen. Then even more years later I realized that it’s because they were a female fronted band and all the punks I knew were sexist and didn’t wanna hear a girl singing about those subjects.
But you know what they say: “Some ppl think little girls should be seen and not heard...”
Sid was all about the image. Poly went beyond that, and was actually talented. Couldn't agree with you more about her and X-Ray Spex being overlooked. I personally rate them up there as one of the most important bands in the punk movement.
I've been waiting so long for someone to make a video like this about X-Ray Spex and I'm so happy to see this has introduced some people to them! They're imo, the best punk band of the "originals" and their influence is unmatched, but they never seem to get the credit they deserve and it's criminal.
One of my favorite girl-punk anthems is No.1 Must Have by Sleater-Kinney, it's not just a banger but the lyrics are a call to action kind of reminiscent of Bondage. Highly recommend!
Poly Styrene's songs' subject matter were well ahead of their time.
Wow, Ive had Germ Free Adolescents since it became available again on cd in the '90's. I grew up in a very restrictive Christian household and would find out about bands at school but inevitably wasnt allowed to own the music. I liked, no LOVED the Cure, I got Whitney Houston for christmas 😝. I left when I was 15, Mom realised I was gay and when I returned at 17 (1992/3) I was a fully formed little grunge monster. The world has changed so much, its crazy. I got a diagnosis of Bipolar but it seems to me its been mainly used against me, to control me, not to "help me". Poly was one of those great under-rated women who should have been more that society allowed RIP Marion 😙
Ah yes, I'd like to see a piece on Killing Joke or Godflesh, two bands that are not oft more than mentioned.
Godflesh! Hell yeah!
Finally someone! I feel like Killing Joke is criminally underrated band. Such an infuential act. Nirvana, NIN, Manson, Ministry, Soungarden, Metallica...... list goes on, owe a big one to Killing Joke's unique sound. The band is still active and the latest records are monsters! Killing Joke is truly one of a kind!
Yes please, anything on Justin Broadrick
X-RAY SPEX were the most creative band of the first punk wave,their debut album is amazing
I've just begun getting into X-Ray Spex so this video has arrived at the perfect time for me.
Poly Styrene is an unsung legend.
Obscure Welsh metal band, Budgie! I wouldn't say they were obscure!
But I had no idea the Sex Pistols had been support for them at any time!
now I'm gonna go and check out all the female bands he mentioned in the end and also x-ray specs. This channel is gold for finding new music I've never heard before
hope you spent time with The Raincoats. One of the smartest, most nuanced post-punk groups
Hey, be sure to check out Kleenex (later known as Liliput, after Kleenex tissues threatened them with a lawsuit if they didn't change their name- crapitaliszt wankers!), an amazing Swiss women-only first-wave punk group - tragically, they're even MORE overlooked than X-Ray Spex, which is simply criminal. I actually love them more than the Spex, even though all I could get ahold of back then was "Ain't You", as featured on the amazing 1980 Rough Trade singles compilation album "Wanna Buy A Bridge". But all their stuff is well worth checking out, trust me! There's even a video of two of their songs on UA-cam ("Beri Beri" & "Nice"), recorded in some studio somewhere, & while it's nice to see what the gals looked like, their "performance" has to be one of the most wooden I've ever seen (oh well! LoL).
(...& who nose, you may have already discovered them, as I see your comment's 2 years old! Oh well, better late than never, I spoze..! Cheers from a 2nd-wave early-80s-era Punk in Aotearoa, New Zealand 😊🖖👍✌ )
L7, Babes in Toyland, 7 Year Bitch, The Distillers, Hole, Bikini Kill, Light Asylum, Chicks on Speed, Le Tigre, Jack Off Jill, Pussy Riot, etc etc etc. So many GREAT bands!
When the Windsor/Detroit alternative radio station 89X first came on the air in '89 or '90, they used those opening lines to "Oh! Bondage... " as part of their station identification ad. Hell of a brand statement. ;)
X Ray Spex are THE punk band for me.
Fav girl punk anthem? Gotta be "Deathwish" or "Fast and Frightening" by L7. Always loved them to be honest, probably not the most "punk approved" of the lot, but I love their stuff. And now: utterly, completely, no doubt about it unrelated, but: I hope you do something on Discharge one day. Cheers!
I saw X-ray spex when I was a14 yr old in 1978 and it was filmed !! For the documentary (free on You Tube) called "" Who is Polly Styrene'' it came on TV 📺 when she died and I saw myself in the crowd... It was crazy! 😻 seems like yesterday ,RIP Polly, we love you sweetie xxx
good lord these videos are good. Went on a deep dive tonight with all of the influence references. Well done.
I grow up in the 77 o what good music we had it was a land shift in terms of new times . I’m glad I was around to be part of it.🏴👍😊🙏
The narrator has quite literally the perfect voice. He's definitely the David Attenborough of the genre! Keep these videos coming. Cheers!
Why are the Ramones always left out of these retrospectives of punk? Malcolm McLaren saw the Ramones in New York and decided to create a British version. The Sex Pistols.
This is a british channel so you have to expect more of a british point of view here. But the difference between the US and britain is that punk in britain became a national large youth phenomenon and fad which included fashion already in 1977 which could even top the charts and become a national scandal in newspapers and TV which was even becoming already involved in politics and large open air concerts, while punk in the US in the 1970s was more of a secret underground thing of a few hipsters in a few cities which only influenced much more commercial and pop "new wave" acts such as The Cars or the Blondie and only in the 1980s the much larger national, but still underground and non commercial, hardcore scene
@EclecticoIconoclasta Punk was well known in the UK but still not acceptable. Many Radio One DJs refused to play punk records, and they couldn't get on TV at first. Annie Nightingale sneaked the Adverts in through a side door in the BBC studios to appear on The Old Grey Whistle Tesr. She knew they wouldn't get past the door men by the front door.
El Tigre - Deceptacon you can almost hear Poly's voice coming through.
another great video m8 keep making great content!
i always thought that to!!
Le Tigre👍
Kathleen Hanna is
👑King QUEEN! but
BIKINI KILL was the SHIT!!!!
Man I loved X-Ray Specs.
As a geordie, Pauline Murray and Penetration (still together and playing), Don't Dictate was my favourite punk anthem. They were my favourite live band as well.
I discovered this band / singer in the 70s German punk doc "Women in Rock".. and was amazed/ saddened I'd never heard of them before.
Poly and the X Ray Spex are in my opinion one of the total best girl fronted band ever. They were unique and unlike a lot of other punk bands they were their own thing which makes them truly punk rock.
New recognition, well done, enlightening too; Poly & X-Ray Spex, their attitudes, outlook, talent, & influence, culture, history, ... Thx!
I hear nothing about this band and they are one of my faves! Thanks for the video
Great to see the influence of X-Ray Spex and Poly Styrene still around with many modern bands.
Germfree Adolescents is easily one of the greatest albums of all-time. Not just in punk, but in any genre
New Toy by Lene Lovitch and Thomas Dolby. I think this is more New Wave than punk, but the spirit is still there.
My god I love her so much. Rest in germ free adolescence.
Wow, didn't know about any of this! This woman is amazing...I already feel like I can relate to her a lot. I must thank you for introducing me to her and this band, I truly appreciate it. There are so many artists who don't get much exposure but are just as influential as the more notorious names
My favourite punk band of all time! Thank you for this upload!
I used to go to cbgbs and Max's Kansas City a few times a week back in 77 thru 79, no matter who was playing. I saw an advert saying a band from England was playing, it was X-ray Specs and they were incredible! There weren't too many bands back then with female singers, Poly was amazing!
great video! Ive had oh bondage up yours in my playlist for a few years without knowing anything about the band or the origins of the song. Thank you for posting this! I personally love L7's Shitlist
I know they're from the other side of the pond, but I don't feel that anyone really talks about 45 Grave.
Thanks for the great work.
.45 Grave! Yes! Nobody talks about them either. I'm happy people talk about X-ray Spex now though. They're such a good band.
@@feministadentata4041 X-Ray Spex are one of those bands that I've always heard of, but knew nothing about. Definitely going to check them out.
Also, can we take a moment for the best stage name ever? Dinah Cancer.
@@zerosolus Is Dinah Cancer a pun I don't get? I do love Poly Styrene as a stage name, because it's a pun at the same time. :D
@@feministadentata4041 Yes, it is. Dyin' a cancer would be the pronunciation.
for real!
Stoked to see Priests and Shopping mentioned among the likes of Sonic Youth(my favorite band).
This is crazy, I literally just listened to X-ray Spex about 4 hours ago. I think it was around '93 is when I listened to them last. What a fun trip down memory lane. I love Germ Free Adolescent. Genetic Engineering is awesome too
Fantastic coverage of an absolutely stellar waypoint in a legendary time
That "Germ-Free Adolescents" album was a masterpiece.
X-Ray Spex is one of my favorite bands of all time. True punks doing their own thing on multiple levels without getting too preachy.
If you've got the urge, c'mon let's submerge.
finally someone talking about x ray spex they’re so underrated
I knew a lot of stuff about Polly but learnt even more from this well researched video
Awesome documentary. I was vaguely aware of Polly Styrene, but didn't know anything about her. So thank you for such an informative look into her life and her music.
I was dancing to Oh Bondage Up Yours around 1980 at a club on Long Island called NOVA. The DJ's were called the Bondage Babies.
I somehow never put together that Essential Logic was Lora Logic post-Specs. Still remarkable that this is the group William Bennet Of Whitehouse came out of. The then upstart genres sure did establish themselves quickly in that period.
Poly Styrene told the magazine "The Big Takeover" that she did have voice lessons as a child. Her distinct singing style was a deliberate choice because it projected well.
X-Ray Spex and The Germs are my top OG Punk bands. I love who Poly was. A true original and totally singular
Thanks for this mate! Now a fan of the band 👌
Great video, I’m listening to Germfree Adolescents now 🤘
Would love to see videos on:
Talk Talk
The Fall
XTC
Minutemen
John Otway
Butthole Surfers
Half Man Half Biscuit
Dr. Feelgood
John Cooper Clarke
The Adverts
Also I noticed you did a video about TOTP you should also make one about the far superior & legendary ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ 🤘
Yesssss I'm so ready for this! Love X-Ray Spex!!!!
I used to have a bright orange X-Ray Specs cassette when I was a kid. Loved them.
I love Xray spex and loved to watch this!! Thanks!!!
great vid... for my fave girl punk anthem...
the little known, but still worth digging out Death of Innocence by LA Punk band Legal Weapon... to tie things back to your videos the early line up of Legal Weapon featured Patricia Morrison - later of The Gun Club, The Sisters of Mercy and the Damned on bass..
speaking of The Damned... thanks for including the Damned in the intro.. mostly UK punk coverage is all about the Pistols and the Clash with the Damned getting overlooked all too often..
R.I.P. Kat Arthur
Five dislikes!? This dude is one of the best, most in-depth people on UA-cam.
Trash Theory is criminally under subbed.
Yeah. I reckon that people who dislike UA-cam videos actually dislike themselves.
i think maybe it´s people from the cultures themselves totally different background perhaps
Such an excellent band! Thank you for this!
Possibly Patti Smith, "Free Money." Though by current standards (so to speak) Patti wouldn't count as punk. Any possibility of a video on Patti?
Thanks for the video. I´ve always felt we dont talk enough about Poly, and we should.
I didn't know this channel till this popped up in my suggested videos, now I'll definitely watch more. Thanks for the great work!
all us femme rockers owe so much to her
I love how you reference the No Wave scene, it's sad hardly anybody knows or really care about James Chance or Lydia Lunch as much as they deserve
Never stop making these.
Check out the Adam Ant documentary, he was diagnosed as being bipolar too. Its interesting to see how he was treated vs Poly.
Adam and Poly had the same manager too. Falcon Stewart went from managing X-Ray Spex to Adam and the Ants.
@@GGMBW
That's interesting. But total night and day difference. I would say there were several years difference when each would receive their diagnosis but Poly definitely had a rougher experience since it ended her career.
Adam's experience was throughout from before he was Adam Ant and even though he experienced different things at different times, he was able to keep his career going way longer than Poly had. Both had rough goes when they went in but once in, that was it for Poly's career. I know he still has plans for post Pandemic shows at this point.
Holy shit dope my new X-ray Spex shirt just came in the other day love this band and Poly is a fuckin legend!
In the spirit of Xray Spex, The Bags, "Survive" fronted by Alicia "Alice Bag" Armendariz. Sadly underrated, as are most of those first wave LA punk bands.
A brilliant talented woman who broke the mould no one was or came close❤❤❤
Was waiting for this entry, X-Ray Spex is one of my favorite bands. I didn’t see a mention of the Slits but they are also another amazing punk band that I love from that era
I was at a Stiff Little Fingers gig last year right before lockdown and saw Tessa from The Slits there, she kept dancing into me and standing on my shoes but it was so cool to be in her presence!
He did mention the slits
What great documentary
! thank you for this !!
Queen of Punk. ❤❤ The Day the world turned dayglo. Probably best punk 45!!
Amazing video. Love X-Ray Spex.
Great stuff! I have to watch the videos when I have a notepad and pen to make sure to get all the history
I loved the 'Dancing in the Street' documentary growing up. Your style of video essay definitely feels like it takes a bit of influence from that
great work as usual. i really look forward to your videos.
IIII-DENNN-TIT-AYYYYYYY! Let’s go gang 😁
Lora Logic re-emerged for an interview a few months ago. It's pretty interesting.
Another awesome video about a highly influential but often over looked artist. I first heard about Xray Spex after Glitoris covered "Oh Bondage" with Amanda Palmer (2 other amazing female genre defying "punk" acts).
I saw xray spex at the cambs corn exchange I think it was late 78 early 79 they were brilliant RIP poly
Great video with lots of history about poly styrene and the band. Didn't know about the burnout and mental issues. She had loads of talent.
just finished putting an xray spex patch on my jacket... and look what we have here ...
Germfree Adolescents = Underrated Punk classic
I love Poly Styrene. Sbe was a bit of a model being of woman of colour myself and into punk. Marion Elliot RIP 🦋
The X-ray Spex gig I went to at Eric's in Liverpool is in the Documentry "Who is Polly Styrene ' the camera goes strait past me, ,as it sweeps into the packed club when Polly died they showed it on TV and I saw myself i onTV as a 15 yr old Punk ,
Ever gone do a video on the new York punk scene or Australian one like the saints