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X-Ray Spex

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Musicians

The Resume

    (1976-1979)
    Born in London, United Kingdom
    Poly Styrene (birth name was Marianne Joan Elliott-Said), vocals
    Laura Logic (birth name was Susan Whitby), saxophone (1976-77)
    Jak Airport (birth name was Jack Stafford), guitar
    Paul Dean, bass guitar
    Paul 'B.P.' Hurding, drums
    Steve Rudi, saxophone (1977-79)
    Re-formed in 1991, 1995, 2008
    Recorded the albums 'Germ-Free Adolescents' (1978), 'Conscious Consumer' (1995) and 'Live @ the Roundhouse, London 2008' (2009)
    Recorded the singles 'Oh Bondage Up Yours!' (1977), 'The Day the World Turned Day-Glo' (1978) and 'Identity' (1978)

Why they might be annoying:

    Poly Styrene reportedly forced Laura Logic out of the band in order to be the only woman in the group and thus garner more attention.
    They recorded anti-consumerism/anti-capitalism songs on an album released through corporate giant EMI.
    At their 1995 reunion, they announced plans to record a trilogy of albums, but stopped after the first one flopped commercially.

Why they might not be annoying:

    Styrene was inspired to form the band after seeing an early Sex Pistols concert.
    Styrene contrasted the band with other punks, noting 'I never felt that I was disenfranchised or suffering, so we were a fun band.'
    The song intro 'Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard - well I think, oh bondage, up yours!' was the kickoff for a generation of riot grrrls.
    They performed at the Rock Against Racism concert (April 30, 1978).
    The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music called them 'one of the most inventive, original and genuinely exciting groups to emerge during the punk era.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 35 Votes: 17.14% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 30 Votes: 76.67% Annoying