aka The Vinyl Villain incorporating Sexy Loser
# 108: X-Ray Spex – ‘Germfree Adolescents’ (EMI ’78)
Good morning friends,
when it comes to female-fronted punk bands, at least those who joined the party early, The Slits will certainly be mentioned, and so will X-Ray Spex. The thing is, you see: whereas Ari Up always left a bit of a childishly fresh impression, a little bit naïve even, or, at least, acting naïve – Poly Styrene did not. Quite the contrary in fact, she was the prototype of self-confidence, coolness and style. And as a black woman, just 18 years of age in the UK (and we are talking ‘76 here, mind you – NF et al on the rise), your admiration for what Poly achieved in those few years before the end of the decade – as well for feminism as musically – cannot be high enough if you ask me! Honestly, when you’re looking for a guitar-driven blend of Ska and Reggae, presented by a great voice, all you need is X-Ray Spex really! And if you don’t believe me re feminism, perhaps you’ll believe all those Riot Grrrls, Bikini Kill or Bratmobile or Babes In Toyland, who constantly referred to Poly Styrene as a massive influence when they started out in the early 90s.
X-Ray Spex already disbanded in ’79, which means that they weren’t able to provide us with a huge legacy, well, not in terms of records, at least: one album, five singles – but 50% of the singles’ tracks were on the album anyway. Then again, hardly a bad song can be found, all pure energy, clever lyrics, but probably the most remarkable difference in comparison to their combatants of the time was the inclusion of a saxophone – which, until ’77 was played by Lora Logic, a name which might or might not still ring a bell with some of you. Lora left though and got replaced by Rudi Thomson for the album, ‘Germfree Adolescents’, released in November ’78.
As I said, I could easily have picked any of the five singles, as they are all outstanding in their own rights. But I have gone for the album’s title track, I think I always liked it a little bit more than the other tunes
mp3: X-Ray Spex – Germfree Adolescents
And before you complain, there are various forms of spellings everywhere around, on the label, on the sleeve, all rather confusing to me: ‘Germ Free Adolescents’, ‘Germfree Adolescents’, ‘Germ Free Adolescence’, ‘Germfree Adolescence’, Germ-Free Adolescents’, ‘Germ-Free Adolescence’ … feel free to go for the one you like most, it’s your language, not mine!
Apart from that, the track is most ace, mind you – I’m sure you agree!
So enjoy,
Dirk
PS: for our overseas and continental readers: ‘S.R.’ used to be a toothpaste in the UK, hence the “cleans her teeth ten times a day, scrub away, scrub away, the S.R. way” – line …
PPS: Poly Styrene died in 2011, being just 54. Cancer sucks!
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
What. A. Choice.
It’s difficult to state how important this record is to me.
Germfree Adolescents was a game-changer not because it’s the best song on the LP – they all are – but because it was played on day-time radio. Before the days of portable tape players most people relied on ‘trannies’ (transistor radios) to listen to their music on the go. While Oh, Bondage Up Yours! had been a firm favourite I only got to listen to it sporadically when my pal’s big brother played his single, but Germfree Adolescents was everywhere. This young mind was affected forever. I don’t get tingles every time I hear it these days, but the tingles do reappear every now and again, reminding me of those first listens and the people in my life at that time.
I’m delighted to see the band appear. I couldn’t ever choose a favourite track from that LP as is often the case with me the favourite constantly changes. What an LP. What a debut.
I concur. Cancer sucks!
Thanks, Dirk.
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X-Ray Spex released two studio LPs.
Poly released 3 studio LPs. Two are superb. Flower Aeroplane is not. Poly obviously wanted this self-released LP out there. However, songs from Translucence re-synced with her devotional inspiration just didn’t hang together for this listener.
Poly released one 4 track ep (also available as a two-track single): Gods and Goddesses. It’s much overlooked. It shouldn’t be.
Over the last 5-years or so X-Ray Spex and Poly have been given the vinyl re-release treatment. There’s been far too much in my opinion: numbered editions, coloured editions, eco editions, picture disc editions and even a box set to mark the release of the documentary. It seems to me to be the very opposite of what Poly was about, anti-consumerism, but someone, somewhere has noted a ‘buck’ was to be made. I bought them all, naturally. What a sucker!
PS: Generation Indigo has still to be given the vinyl re-release treatment. If you collect vinyl, buy it! If you don’t collect vinyl, it’s available at reasonable rates on CD. You’re welcome ; -)
Flimflamfan
The period from 1975 to 1985 is my favourite era in rock and pop history. I like to compare it to the Cambrian Explosion 540 million years ago, when all major animal groups emerged within a very short period of time. Poly Styrene / X-Ray Spex are considered the founders of ‘feminist punk’ — a musical style that makes perfect sense in every respect.
Great post based on a great pick
Outstanding song and post. Cheers, Dirk