Black Christmas

Poly Styrene's epic reggae tinged tribute to a black Christmas (with black snow) is a must for any serious Christmas compilation cd or playlist. Your kids and relations will thank you for it in the long run.

Sorry the words have been a bit brief for the last few days. Been a tad busy and seem to be doing this on the run. Must post daily, must post daily....

Black Christmas

Christmas Ghosts

'Let's raise a drink to the ghosts of friends we lost last year'. Amen to that.

There's a campaign on to get this single to number 1- John Robb's Goldblade and Poly Styrene (who died of cancer a few years ago) with a rollicking punk rock song City Of Christmas Ghosts, celebratory yet shot through with sadness. You can get more info here with links to downloads and you can buy the 7" vinyl at Damaged Goods. The single's for charity, in aid of St Michael's hospice, and there are many worse ways you could spend a couple of quid this week.

Dayglo

X Ray Spex were inspired by the first generation punk bands and this song is of punk but not punk. Poly Styrene bought into punk as 'be yourself' not 'buy a uniform'. By adding that most dreaded instrument, the saxophone, they set themselves apart from the three chord tricksters and second generation herders. This song is a blast and actually sounds like the world turning dayglo.

The Day The World Turned Dayglo

Advent Post Number One

If we carefully tear and peel open the little door on the Bagging Area advent calendar we can find a festive treat- not some small piece of cheap chocolate but former X Ray Spex singer, the late Poly Styrene and a wonderfully unfestive song. Also 1920s actress and bob pioneer Louise Brooks looking decidedly un-full of festive cheer.

Black Christmas

Poly Styrene

Poly Styrene, X-Ray Spex, warrior in Woolworth, germ free adolescent, R.I.P.

3rd of July 1953- 25th of April 2011.

07 Germ Free Adolescents.wma