X-Ray Spex's other distinctive musical element was Poly Styrene's voice, which has been variously described as "effervescently discordant" and "powerful enough to drill holes through sheet metal". As Mari Elliot, Poly had released a reggae single for GTO Records in 1976, "Silly Billy", which had not charted. Born in 1957 in Brixton, London, of Somali-English parentage, Poly Styrene became the group's public face, and remains one of the most memorable front-women to emerge from the punk movement. Poly Sytrene also became one of the first high-profile black people in punk rock. She wore braces on her teeth and once stated that "If anybody tried to make me a sex symbol I would shave my head tomorrow".
X-Ray Spex existed from mid-1976 to 1979, during which time they released five singles - "Oh Bondage, Up Yours", "Identity", "The Day the World Turned Day-Glo", "Germ Free Adolescents", and "Highly Inflammable" - and one album, Germ Free Adolescents. The album and title single reached 30 and 19 in their respective charts, although "Oh Bondage, Up Yours" is regarded as their most enduring artifact, both as a piece of music and as a phrase. The song was not originally on the album, although later CD releases added it as the final track. The group did play a fortnight's residency at New York's CBGB's even though Germ Free Adolescents was not released in America until 1992. Exhausted by touring, Poly Styrene left the band in 1979 to release a solo album, Translucence, before joining the Hare Krishna movement (as did Lora Logic, in a coincidental move, who left the band aged 16 in 1977 to form a new group called Essential Logic).
Without Styrene, the group lost its momentum and split up. Hurding and London went on to form Classix Nouveaux, while Paul Dean retired from musical activities.
In 1991 re-grouped X-Ray Spex played a surprise sell-out gig at the Brixton Academy. Uniquely, this version of the group did not include Poly Styrene, and according to an interview with Lora Logic: "...that was a mistake. They put that together with another singer and I played with them for a tour but you can't really have it without Poly."
The group reformed more successfully in 1995 with a line-up of Styrene, Dean and Logic to release a new album Conscious Consumer. Although heralded as the first in a trilogy, the album was not a commercial success. Styrene later explained that touring and promotional work suffered an abrupt end when she was run over by a fire engine in central London. The group disbanded, but subsequent releases include a compilation of the group's early records, a live album, and an anthology of all the aforementioned.
Jak Airport later worked for the BBC's Corporate and Public Relations department under his real name, Jack Stafford; he died in August 2004.
Discography
Singles
"Oh Bondage, Up Yours", 1977
"The Day The World Turned Day-Glo", 1978 #23 UK
"Identity", 1978 #24 UK
"Germ Free Adolescents", 1978 #19 UK
"Highly Inflammable", 1979 #45 UK
Albums
Germ Free Adolescents, 1978
Conscious Consumer, 1995
Poly Styrene later went on to reform X-Ray Spex with a 30 year anniversary sell-out gig at The Roundhouse, Camden, London September 6th 2008 with original bass player Paul Dean, Jak Airport sadly no longer with us was replaced by Saxby guitarist for Arnold, saxophone was provided by Flash formerly of Rip Rig & Panic and finally drummer Sid (Sidation) Truelove from Rubella Ballet and Flux of Pink Indians, hand picked by Poly for his authentic resemblance to B.P. Hurdings original punk style completing the line up for one of the most long awaited gigs of the last three decades. This performance will be available to buy on DVD and live album in November 2009 on Future Noise Music, for more info go to www.futurenoisemusic.com
Polystyrene sadly lost her battle with cancer and passed away 26/04/11
www.x-rayspex.com// http://www.myspace.com/xrayspexrealofficialpage
X-ray Spex
I Am a Poseur
X-Ray Spex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
Exhibition is the name
Voyeurism is the game
Stereoscopic is the show
Grow, grow, grow, grow
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
My façade is just a fake
Shock, horror, no escape
Sensationalism for the feed
Caricatures are what you breed
Breed, breed, breed, breed
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
Anti-art was the start
Establishments like a laugh
Yes, we're very entertaining
Overtones can be betraying
'Traying, 'traying, 'traying, 'traying
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
I am a poseur and I don't care
I like to make people stare
"I Am A Poseur" by X-Ray Spex is a punk anthem that revels in the act of posing for the sake of arousing attention. The artist calls herself a poseur and declares her indifference to what people think about her. She boldly astounds onlookers and feeds on their stares-- all out of their own free will. The lyrics emphasize the flaws of the viewer as much as the poseur's act, as they are willing to come and watch the show. The artist is not fazed by it and enjoys it in the same way that they enjoy their own posing. The song is a commentary on the modern media spectacle and its tendencies.
The first verse is declarative and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The phrase "I am a poseur and I don't care" is repeated throughout the song, asserting that the artist's intention is to shock and be seen. The next verse talks about the exhibition and voyeurism and how the show grows, metaphorically representing how society revels in the spectacle of fame and scandal. The following verse, "My façade is just a fake/ Shock, horror, no escape/ Sensationalism for the feed/ Caricatures are what you breed," speaks to the media's creation of caricatures, amplifying the flaws of individuals under a spotlight in order to sell viewership. The final verse criticizes the institutions of capitalism and the art industry and how they value entertainment over authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a poseur and I don't care
I intentionally present as someone I'm not and I am unconcerned about any negative attention or judgment I may receive for it.
I like to make people stare
I enjoy being the center of attention and provoking reactions from others through my appearance and behavior.
Exhibition is the name
My display of myself is intentional and purposeful, meant to be seen and observed.
Voyeurism is the game
I derive pleasure from being observed and admired by others, as well as from observing and admiring myself.
Stereoscopic is the show
My persona and presentation are multidimensional, with multiple layers of meaning and intention.
Viewing time makes it grow
The more attention I receive from others, the more my persona and image evolve and become more elaborate.
My façade is just a fake
The image I present is not a true reflection of who I am, but rather a constructed persona meant to provoke reactions from others.
Shock, horror, no escape
I deliberately aim to shock and provoke, with no desire to conform to societal norms or expectations.
Sensationalism for the feed
My self-presentation is intended to be sensational and attention-grabbing, driven by a desire to be noticed and acknowledged by others.
Caricatures are what you breed
By feeding into and perpetuating a caricature or stereotype of myself, I encourage others to see me solely in this one-dimensional way.
Anti-art was the start
My approach to self-presentation was born out of a rejection of traditional ideas of art and beauty, as well as mainstream culture.
Establishments like a laugh
I intentionally provoke reactions from establishment and mainstream culture, which I see as rigid and unchanging.
Yes, we're very entertaining
I acknowledge that my self-presentation and approach to life is meant to be entertaining and enjoyable for myself and others.
Overtones can be betraying
My persona and presentation may have deeper meaning or intention beyond their superficial shock value, and I may be using them to communicate something more complex or meaningful.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Marian Joan Elliott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind