X-Ray Spex

X-Ray Spex

8904 fans

X-Ray Spex was one of the definitive British punk bands of the late-1970s. Formed in 1976 in London, England, the group's original lineup included frontwoman Poly Styrene, guitarist Jak Airport, bassist Paul Dean, drummer Paul 'B. P.' Hurding, and saxophonist Lora Logic. The use of female vocals and brass instruments made X-Ray Spex a unique act within the emerging scene of punk-rock, and the group debuted with 1977's "Oh Bondage Up Yours!" Although the song failed to chart, it became one of the more acclaimed songs of the era and was followed by "The Day the World Turned Day-Glo" / "I Am a Poseur," a double-sided single that reached Number 23 in the UK. Before the year was up, X-Ray Spex had earned additional Top 40 hits with the singles "Identity" / "Let's Submerge" and "Germfree Adolescents" / "Age," which charted at Number 24 and Number 19, respectively. All three singles appeared on the band's full-length debut, Germfree Adolescents, which was released in November 1978 and reached Number 30 in the UK. Despite the momentum, X-Ray Spex's classic era proved to be short-lived, with the band splitting up after completing its first and only UK tour. The pressures of the road had left Poly Styrene exhausted, and she left the band's lineup in 1979 to launch a solo career. Her first album, Translucence, was released in 1980. The band fell apart in her absence, although 1995's Conscious Consumer found Styrene and her X-Ray Spex bandmates reuniting for a brief spell. The group performed together sporadically during the following years, although the momentum slowed as Jak Airport passed away in 2004 and Poly Styrene lost a battle to breast cancer in 2011.

Top tracks

03
I Am a Poseur
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:33
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
06
Identity
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:25
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
04
Germfree Adolescence
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
03:15
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
01
Genetic Engineering
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:49
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
01
Art-I-Ficial
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
03:24
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
05
I Can't Do Anything
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:58
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
02
Obsessed with You
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:30
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
01
Oh Bondage, Up Yours! (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
02:42
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
02
I Live Off You
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:09
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
01
Oh Bondage Up Yours! (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:04
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
01
Cigarettes
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:48
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
07
Age (Bonus Track)
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:38
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
03
Warrior in Woolworths
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
03:07
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
04
Let's Submerge
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
03:26
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
06
The Day the World Turned Day-Glo
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:52
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
05
Plastic Bag
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
04:53
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
02
Junk Food Junkie
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:23
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
08
Highly Inflammable (Bonus Track)
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:35
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
03
Crystal Clear
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
04:31
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
11
Prayer for Peace
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:58
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
12
Party
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:48
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
02
Identity (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
02:25
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
06
Hi Chaperone
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:58
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
05
Dog in Sweden
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:14
Writer: Poly Styrene - Peter Paul Hartnett / Composers: Poly Styrene - Peter Paul Hartnett
08
Melancholy
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:53
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
09
Sophia
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:49
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
07
Good Time Girl
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:59
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
10
Peace Meal
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:31
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
04
India
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:21
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
14
I Am A Poseur (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:01
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
02
Art-I-ficial (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:08
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
03
Obsessed With You (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
02:38
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
18
Cigarettes (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
02:20
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
03
Let's Submerge (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
03:05
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
07
I Am A Cliché (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
01:57
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
04
Identity (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
02:32
15
Germ Free Adolescents (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:16
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
04
Warrior In Woolworths (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
02:50
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
04
Plastic Bag (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
04:10
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
03
Oh Bondage, Up Yours! (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
02:55
09
Identity (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
02:29
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
06
Let's Submerge (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:13
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
05
Crystal Clear (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
04:16
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
06
I Am a Cliché (Recorded Live at The Roxy, London, 2 April 1977)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
01:48
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
20
Oh Bondage Up Yours! (Encore)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:49
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)

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  • Discography
Albums
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
℗ 2009 X-Ray Spex
09-11-2009
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
01
Oh Bondage Up Yours! (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:04
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
02
Art-I-ficial (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:08
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
03
Obsessed With You (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
02:38
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
04
Warrior In Woolworths (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
02:50
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
05
Crystal Clear (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
04:16
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
06
Let's Submerge (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
03:13
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
07
I Am A Cliché (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Live @ The Roundhouse London 2008
01:57
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Conscious Consumer
℗ 1995 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
01-01-1995
Conscious Consumer
01
Cigarettes
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:48
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
02
Junk Food Junkie
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:23
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
03
Crystal Clear
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
04:31
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
04
India
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:21
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
05
Dog in Sweden
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
03:14
Writer: Poly Styrene - Peter Paul Hartnett / Composers: Poly Styrene - Peter Paul Hartnett
06
Hi Chaperone
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:58
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
07
Good Time Girl
X-Ray Spex
Conscious Consumer
02:59
Writer: Poly Styrene / Composers: Poly Styrene
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Germ Free Adolescents
℗ 1978 X-Ray Spex
10-11-1978
Germ Free Adolescents
01
Art-I-Ficial
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
03:24
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
02
Obsessed with You
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:30
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
03
Warrior in Woolworths
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
03:07
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
04
Let's Submerge
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
03:26
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
05
I Can't Do Anything
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:58
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
06
Identity
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:25
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
01
Genetic Engineering
X-Ray Spex
Germ Free Adolescents
02:49
Writer: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott) / Composers: Poly Styrene (Marian Joan Elliott)
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Live at the Roxy Club
℗ 1977 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
01-01-1977
Live at the Roxy Club
01
Oh Bondage, Up Yours! (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
02:42
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
02
Identity (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
02:25
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
03
Let's Submerge (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
03:05
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
04
Plastic Bag (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
04:10
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
05
I Live Off You (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
02:18
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
06
I Am a Cliché (Recorded Live at The Roxy, London, 2 April 1977)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
01:48
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
07
I Can't Do Anything (Live At The Roxy)
X-Ray Spex
Live at the Roxy Club
02:59
Writer: Marianne Elliott-Said / Composers: Marianne Elliott-Said
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Featured in
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
07-01-2013
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
01
Gary Gilmore's Eyes (Live)
The Adverts
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
00:49
02
Right to Work (Live)
Chelsea
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
01:48
03
Oh Bondage, Up Yours! (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
02:55
04
Identity (Live)
X-Ray Spex
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
02:32
05
Shadow (Live)
The Lurkers
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
02:07
06
You're Cold (Live)
The Jolt
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
01:15
07
(You Make Me) Cream in My Jeans (Live)
Wayne County and The Electric Chairs
Punk Live & Out of Control, Vol 1
01:33
Access the complete album info (15 songs)