A triple X Ray Spex night , to mark the untimely death of Poly Styrene earlier in the week. I could have played the whole Germ Free Adolescents LP but that wouldn't have left room for some other punk rock gems. You have to celebrate those still with us, I suppose. Also signs of very early Fall , with the walking miracle of modern science that is Mark E Smith a reminder that a healthy lifestyle isn't a guarantee of anything. I also await a proper review of the Flamin' Groovies live appearance in London recently. Have I not been looking properly ? Is it being kept a secret ? I notice both the Jam and the New York Dolls appearing this week. I suspect when I hear bad news I retreat into music from my comfort zone. I hope you don't mind......
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X Ray Spex - The Day The World Turned Day Glo
The Fall - Psycho Mafia
Flamin' Groovies - You Tore Me Down
Rich Kids - Ghosts of Princes In Towers
Gang Of Four - It's Her Factory
New York Dolls - Bad Girl
The Jam - It’s Too Bad
Smiths - Shakespeares Sister
UK Subs - Tomorrows Girls
Fapardokley (Merrell & The Exiles) - Tomorrows Girl
Boys Life - ÌýI Found Her
X Ray Spex - Warrior In Woolworths
John Cooper Clarke - Gimmix! Play Loud
Left Banke - She May Call You Up Tonight
X Ray Spex - Identity
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I didn't realise how ill Poly Styrene was until Stephen McCauley sent me the link to the news story this morning about her death. She was 53, and a bright enough personality that the daily newspapers will be able to run the photos of Poly with the braces on her teeth and highlight some of the song titles. But I want the papers to print page upon page of how great her songs were - and they were her songs, written at the age of 20 when she started X Ray Spex. She invented a world of consumer weirdness through Germ Free Adolescence, Warrior In Woolworths and The Day The World Turned Day-Glo.
I mean, where did a title like 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours !' come from ?
No one really came close to the songs or the look of Poly's Spex. I remember being on a bus in London in 1978, my first visit to the city, and seeing someone sitting opposite me with an ID badge advertising, what else, 'Identity' , the band's single that summer. What a great place London is, I thought,Ìý where everyone loves X Ray Spex. Maybe they didn't then, but they should now.
It's twenty years since the death of Johnny Thunders in a hotel in New Orleans. Even with his reputation, it was still a shock to read about it two days later in a newspaper (this was pre-internet immediacy). Two records to mark his passing, although I would have been tempted to sprinkle more New York Dolls songs through the show. Also an appearance of an actual new CD. The Outcasts have had some of their live performances from a club in Lyon, France collected by Spit Records. 'Seven Deadly Sins' has a touch of rockabilly to it , which is always welcome round our way. The photographs still frighten me though. There's also a nice example to prove the point that there's more to Question Mark and the Mysterians than '96 Tears'.
Heartbreakers - Born To Lose
Fleshtones - Whats So New About You ?
Sham 69 - Tell Us The Truth
Nicky & The Dots - Never Been So Stuck
Crime - Murder By Guitar
Penetration - Life’s A Gamble
Johnny Thunders - Treat Her Right
Television - The Dream’s Dream
Jimmy Vigtone - When The Radio’s On
Lilettes - Hey Operator
? & The Mysterians - Don’t Break This Heart Of Mine
Outcasts - Seven Deadly Sins
The Goat That Went OmmÌý - The Pirate Song
Farmers Boys - Drinking And Dressing Up
Nick Lowe - So It Goes
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I do like to start the show with a Saints record so I can once again remind listeners that their singer Chris Bailey was born in Belfast. Of course, he formed the band in Brisbane but it’s nice to own a little bit of him. ‘No Time’ is the b-side of the band’s debut single ‘I’m Stranded’ one of the first and one of the best of all punk rock singles. Also, another mark of remembrance for Joey Ramone, to mark the tenth anniversary of his death, the first of the three Ramones to go before their time. On a happier note, I’m also playing the song with a title that I still don’t know how to pronounced. I can’t even write the name properly, as the keyboard I am working with doesn’t have an arrow sign. Talking Heads, never a band to make it easier for a punk rock DJ.
Saints - No Time
Ramones - I Remember You
Magazine - Because You’re Frightened
Electric Eels - Refrigerator
The Feelies - Raised Eyebrows
Damned - Fan Club
Billy Bragg - To Have And Have Not
Special AKA - War Crimes
Adam and the Ants - Friends
Slits - Adventures Close To ±«Óãtv
Cortinas - Defiant Pose (Peel session)
Talking Heads - Love - Building on Fire
The Mustangs - That’s For Sure
David Branyan - Something Special
Wire - Brazil
Yet again I offer apologies for the tardiness of this blog but I have been away punk rocking with my Undertone chums, playing the variety shows of England. (Yes they do have computers in England. Are you trying to say something ?) Coincidentally, tonight's list includes the work of my current/former team mates John and Damian O'Neill , wearing their That Petrol Emotion jumpers. Another record has a reference to a character in the 1961 film 'A Taste Of Honey'. I won't tell you which song has the connection but you don't need to be Barry Norman to spot it.Ìý What else ? Oh, a Ramones song to mark the tenth anniversary of Joey's death. I know its the fifteenth of this month but I thought I'd get in early. More Ramoning next week. Which is now this week. Point taken.
X Ray Spex - I Am A Poseur
Stranglers - Something Better Change
The Middle Class - Situations
Television Personalities - Geoffrey Ingram
Replacements - Kick Your Door Down
The Boys - Brickfield Nights
That Petrol Emotion - Natural Kind Of Joy
Trashmen - Bird Dance Beat
Ramones - California Sun
Ian Dury - Razzle In My Pocket
Stingrays - Wedding Ring
Iggy Pop - Sister Midnight
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Metal Postcard
The Ruts - You're Just A......
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Night Rally
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