WHO IS POLY STYRENE

[@terryscrewloosesings]

I remember Meeting her at a punk rock festival on the south coast and she gave me a hug I'll never forget that 🥰 but so sad she passed away she had so much more to offer 😔

[@777Ruffdriver]

It’s nice to meet your heroes one the-of the female pioneers of punk, I met my heroes The Clash and I wasn’t not disappointed. Thanks for watching the video.

[@terryscrewloosesings]

@@777RuffdriverI have met more than one of my heroes but she was the first who saw the human in me but after a while the others did

[@tudormiller8898]

She was so influential to many women back in the day, and now in 2021.

[@777Ruffdriver]

I’m glad you like the video thank you for watching ,there’s a couple of music videos of X-Ray Spex on this channel if you like to watch them.

[@robbiexxxxxx]

and many men too!

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

not really

[@mjh5437]

Back in which day?

[@WriterPoetHumanBeing]

This band is awesome, but it sucks that they only had two albums and that Poly died at just 53. RIP

[@michaeledwards6512]

WriterPoetHumanBeing that's just it. Life really sucks sometimes.

[@yseson_]

Fuck Cancer

[@simonbone]

And, let's face it, the second reunion album was not all that great.

[@LaughingStock_]

Her debut solo LP is wonderful.

[@isabella6206]

I am seventy and absolutely love this what a voice and she was truly a part of the time !Punks ruled.I remember going to she Siouxsie and the Banshees and how much spitting onto the stage there was.Ugh!

[@777Ruffdriver]

Went to see the subway set Buzzcocks clash good all days is plenty of gob flying, if you go down my channel you see PIL live at. Rochester castle - thank you for watching.

[@jimurrata6785]

Watching this in August 2024. Here in America I never got to watch BBC4, but i loved X-ray Spex and especially Poly's vocals in highschool back in the '70's

[@gilliancorkhill5480]

An authentic poetic voice so under-rated..when woman and woman of colour were finding their voice....

[@matoko123]

Back then no one gave a shit what her 'colour' was we just loved her music and the scene. Same with Phil Lynott, no one gave a shit we just dug his music. It's only in recent years such a big deal is made about colour and racism ... usually by virtue signalling white people, possibly people like you? And as for women starting to find their voice I think you'll find they found that, in large numbers, long before Poly.

[@marleyite]

@@matoko123 Well said. .

[@bernardmeyre]

always loved them. For me english "punk" was them and early Pistols, early Damned, Banshees and Buzzcocks.

[@ianwhitehead691]

RIP Poly, I will listen to your music until the day I leave this Artificial planet.

[@SashaPrettyVacantPunkHour]

Arrr-tiiii-ficial!❤❤❤

[@KebabMusicLtd]

It's funny, but I remember seeing this when it first aired in 1979. I remember thinking she was just being 'punk' and saying punk type things when she said that she didn't think she would want to be a 'punk-star' for long. But she did soon turn her back on it. After the passage of 42 years this kind of reminds me of the scene like it was yesterday. I can see now why she wanted to turn her back on it. Fame all seems so glamorous from the outside but when you're stuck in the middle of it, it must feel like being in a goldfish bowl. Imagine all those trolls following you about every waking hour. Marianne and her band caught the feelings of the time like a snap-shot through the music and it has stood the test of time as it sounds so fresh today in 2021. I need to put the albums 'GFA' and 'Translucence on now and remind myself of those days when we had such diverse collections of originality.

[@twistedspanner]

I remember the clip of her in the mini bus. I could picture myself hating it and the dread of it. She wasn't the first it happened to and won't be the last. Syd Barrett comes to mind. The minute he got signed by a record label that's when his troubles started. He was obligated to fullfil his contract. You don't form a band to get into a trap. You get in a band to have a laugh and say whatever you have to say and have s laugh and avoid the daily drudgery of working in a dead end job. And standing next to a conveyer belt for 9 hours a day. Or now 12 hours a day now thanks to those bloody continental hours. But that's just what it turns out to be. Working for the man smoking a cigar. At least you can call in a sicky working in a factory 😀

[@ThinWhiteLuke]

Maybe I’m a bit confused. When she said she didn’t want to be a “punk star” for too long, did she plan on becoming a more commercialized pop star in the future? Cause if she thought being big in the punk was bad idk how she could handle the fame that comes with being a Britney Spears level pop star.

[@twistedspanner]

She started x-ray spex for artistic fun. It turned into a uniform of what the newspapers said it was. Leather jackets. Violence and spitting. Shed done a classic album but was watching herself on top of the pops in a looney bin. She'd pprobably decided there wasn't gonna be another X-ray Spex another again. Impossible to promote it. You get in s band to avoid getting a boring job in a factory and then you realise this is worse. She definitely wanted continue making music and this time it was not gonna be punk. It was a fuck you to thick punks. Sheep. She did what John Lydon did after the Pistols. Changed her musical style completely. Retreated and stopped gigging. Their similarities were similar. Jah Wobble once said he thought the star thing in the pistols had freak Lydon out a bit. So he locked himself in Gunter Grove. But while Lydon did manage to fulfill some live commitments Poly was sick. Translucence is like her Metal Box. So what if it didn't sell at the time. Time has proven her right. She didn't sell out and did what she wanted to. I think I'll give it another listen. And God's & Goddess. Paramatma. One of my best songs ever. Too 10 desert island disc.

[@Swameh]

@@ThinWhiteLuke what makes you think that was her goal. Everything about her life's choices point to the opposite.

[@cliveedwards2958]

I so well remember 'oh bondage up yours' being released ..I though Polly looked and sounded great...I was thinking life and music was allways gonna be that way..sadly it took only three years for the 'beautiful people' to rise again and sanitize the music scene... again. I loved what Polly stood for leaving an indelible impression on me. This is great to see and realise how lucky my generation was to have this as our soundtrack.

[@777Ruffdriver]

That video is on here if you like to watch bondage up yours

[@cliveedwards2958]

@@777Ruffdriver defo ! I'm on it! Thanks for posting this stuff..Christmas has come early for me !

[@ersylanellajoy452]

This documentary and the short by her daughter is all I could hope for 50 years later

[@candisecharmaine2913]

I feel like I’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem, like finding Judee Sill 💕 I love this and wish I would have found out about her and her band earlier!

[@777Ruffdriver]

Thank you for watching the video. There’s a couple of tracks on my channel of X-Ray Spex, her early performances.

[@swiftbobber]

Amyl and the sniffers may be worth a listen

[@ericsalidbar1693]

Far from hidden, its punk tons of ppl you wouldn’t probably hang out with know who xray spex is.

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

Xray Spex are the most under rated band of all-time

[@matoko123]

Not by me.

[@tomglenn485]

@@matoko123 And a few othes

[@matoko123]

@@tomglenn485 :)

[@keitakane5726]

with the slits. this girl is a queen of the punk/DIY movement

[@tomglenn485]

Can i add Souxie Sioux

[@5-stringrebel369]

Wow, never knew this existed. Rekindles my love for dear Polly. Miss you.

[@twofreefourtesting]

That's Easy.......a legend of our time an a bright light of inspirational thinking that help us consider the alternative.......... thank you POLY STYRENE.

[@chuckabbate5924]

So brilliant, her commentary on society as a young woman was profound....she called out all the bullshit around her.

[@henriqe8209]

Tanto a Poli quanto a Banda, foram "SEMINAIS", NÃO apenas para o Punk Rock. Pensar e expressar-me com Extrema Inteligência, foi seu legado musical. GRANDE POLI ESTIRENE, GRANDE "X RAY SPEX". Henrique de Salvador/Bahia/Brasil.

[@tralijntje1540]

she choose the name poly styrene as being (or feeling )a disposible artist product but she is absolute every thing but that she is so realistic and down to earth in comparison of today s mostly plastic artist ,really refreshing

[@ericsalidbar1693]

Wow so deep…. So deep are you even here any more? Hey whered you go? Come back.

[@benpotaka5893]

Punks Queen RIP😢❤

[@Gibbonik71]

Poly was an original spirit and visionary. One of my top 3 bands I never got to see live. RIP Polly

[@isabella6206]

A true star in the fact she is a shining entity! Gone too soon but at least we have these films.

[@topbanana4013]

she hit it on the nail. look at the plastic bands we have today. its almost all of them. now then so called artists are asking for royalties from the songs they did not write lol

[@andylorenxx1]

Love her 💖💖💖

[@tuskedbeast]

The final scene on stage with everyone mauling Poly is horrific.

[@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes]

It was a bit pathetic but not the worst...back in the 80s crowds of drunken yobbos beat me up a few times for no particular reason...

[@TheGiggadude]

@@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes Yeh, but it doesnt have to be the worst when its bad enough already. I thought it was wholely grim as well.

[@kitaj73]

are we watching the same scene? I see fans trying to kiss their idol, and I don't see her suffering the attention that much. I guess you should've been there - I almost was, so I can appreciate the urgency of the times.

[@toomuchinformation]

@@kitaj73 In the recent documentary she said that she hated it.

[@clemfandango8202]

Seriously!! "GIVES A KISS" sweaty gross dudes all grabbing on to her and her band mate has to pull her out...I wouldn't be able to handle that after every show! I don't care what the times were, she was singing about not wanting to be objectified and gets off stage just to be pulled about and kissed like a doll. She was tough and a true artist.

[@Saint.questions]

Thank you for uploading. This is a GREAT documentary. Its so fun to learn more about these folks.

[@777Ruffdriver]

No problems, it’s a great Watch if interested in this subject ,there is plenty of Punk-rock on this channel,like the clash X-Ray Spex penetration and the stranglers Damned Pil live at Rochester and many more all on my channel, thanks for watching.

[@paradice9570]

Just seeing you young she was she really was so mature, level headed and super intelligent. The way she speaks you would think she was in her 20s! Just shows me how dumb people really have gotten wow!

[@josmith2031]

bless her ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@gothstaruk]

One of our unsung heroines A genuine genius

[@marcellosgarbini759]

Never forgotten

[@Rainjojo]

Poly and siouxsie will forever be the queens of punk to me 🤍🤘🏾

[@ericsalidbar1693]

Theres way more than just those two. Lol.

[@Saint.questions]

​@@ericsalidbar1693 It doesn't matter let people have things.

[@Saint.questions]

They really are!

[@jimurrata6785]

Wendy O Williams

[@timgibson2540]

I was a fan back in the day, I really enjoyed that documentary sad loss RIP Polly

[@ThePetethetweet]

greatly missed...

[@michaeledwards6512]

Peter Batty mist...

[@markszawlowski867]

Such a long time ago. What a movement that was to witness. Significant, but fittingly, over in a flash.

[@andrew1598]

Thank you for uploading this I remember watching this originally I was only young but made a huge impact

[@yakacm]

Mad, you never think when they show bands on TV playing live that they are directing the cameras like that, obvious really when you think of it, great footage of Eric's too. Did anyone notice that when the guy in the documentary she is watching, speaks he says; "back in 1994", I assume from this that the documentary is a fake made especially for her to watch on whilst they filmed her, sort of a documentary within a documentary.

[@TheXitone]

what are you on about ? haha

[@yakacm]

Think I must have been sniffing glue when I wrote that, I have edited for you so, it makes more sense now.

[@KebabMusicLtd]

Yeah, I thought that was weird and it made me wonder when this documentary was filmed. I thought I mis-heard him as to the year and played it over a few times. She aged well if this docu was filmed later than 1994, but then she's singing the songs she wrote in 1978-79 and wearing the clothes she wore at that time too. She appeared on the Old Grey Whistle Test with Ann Nightingale who hosted the show between (1978 and 1982). At the end of the credits it shows that this documentary was originally filmed in MCMLXXIX (1979) and I think I remember watching it when it was first broadcast. I can only guess that it was a segment from the British TV show, Tomorrows World which looked at modern day gadgets and tried to predict which of them would make an impact on our future lives. Stand up Poly Styrene

[@eancurtis9333]

The baddest of the baddest that's who

[@jennifermullins277]

Damn! She was getting assaulted at the end!

[@katejudson8907]

Yeah... scary

[@daddy9925]

1 of 1. PS, I love you.

[@natalievandenberg2222]

Appreciate this story of her unforgettable

[@simonchaddock3694]

Nice one poly rip keep rocking

[@heathblanch]

The people at EMI crack me up, whether those on the shop floor (are those your real teeth?) or the office staff (Poly Styrene - it's different, isn't it?!) Got to love her, and I was a fan, but her piano playing was about as good as her singing....

[@KebabMusicLtd]

Both of which were excellent. That's why we are talking about her now.

[@markbarker6739]

i remember the comment about her teeth

[@CarlChristensen64]

Her singing is pretty damn good, her piano playing is obviously very rudimentary but enough to bang out chords for her songs

[@sophiew1967]

16.47 ..its ERICS !I remember being in tnis club when I was about 16 at a gig and tge walls were wet with human condensation & my Doc Marten suddenly stood on a black sticky ominous lump.of something...it was a 1oz fat chunk of beautiful Pakistan black weed..NEVER have a group of punks,hippie & goth friends been so happy & needless to say I was skinning up in under a minute & the rest was hotknived in. my bedsit in Liverpool 8 ..happy DAZE indeed!👍 x

[@stairway211]

First real punk revolution

[@jazzkat8322]

i had the Hugest crush on poly when i was a teenager :D

[@CashIsKing_UseItOrLoseIt]

A very welcome vid that appeared in feed. Thankyou Mr YT Algorithim.

[@andysandel9325]

Poly Will Always Be Unique, Legendary, Genius, A Huge Influence On Female Singers Songwriters Just Only They Would All Admit It! Poly Was Always Ahead Of Environmental Concerns, Standards Of Common Sense Of Knowledge! I'm so glad that i had the opportunity of chance of meeting Poly in person she was really down to earth for which i had the exactly same Environmental Concerns For Change, Poly will always be remembered!!!

[@flachi32]

this is far better than the amy winehouse documentary

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Um…No. You see, Amy actually had some talent, and doesn’t sound like…this.

[@g.g.6362]

Better music too....

[@CarlChristensen64]

You don’t need to pit Poly vs Amy - I’m sure they liked each other

[@snakewhitcher4189]

I've lost 9 teeth to tooth decay, despite brushing and flossing religiously. Luckily they're mostly in the back.

[@snakewhitcher4189]

I probably lost most of my teeth as a result on my dentist being a lady. She didn't what to keep my bones intact. She found them too threatening.

[@matoko123]

Should have used SR!

[@snakewhitcher4189]

@@matoko123 I know, right? What's SR though?

[@matoko123]

@@snakewhitcher4189 SR was a toothpaste brand :) He's a germ free adolescent Cleanliness is her obsession Cleans her teeth ten times a day Scrub away, scrub away, scrub away The S.R. way ;)

[@kb3ojg461]

"I chose the name Poly Styrene because its a lightweight disposable product". That is almost indescribably profound and beautiful.

[@jimurrata6785]

She instantly recognized the music industry for what it was, and called it out.

[@matoko123]

Talking about genetically modifying human beings to do certain jobs .... Poly was about 45 years ahead of the game!

[@777Ruffdriver]

Thank you for watching, there is my punk related videos on this channel like PIL live, clash videos penetration - X-Ray Spex Stranglers if you’re interested.

[@matoko123]

@@777Ruffdriver Oh I'm interested :)

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

12:53 Xray Spex manager Falcon Stuart

[@telbell6414]

He was her lover too...

[@coolhand1966]

Steve Strange @ 6.46

[@petersharman8013]

brilliant

[@AD-gi9zg]

Still like that 'germfree adolescence'.

[@SeeYourStar]

rip

[@blueconversechucks]

The description answers the question if you don't have 39 minutes to kill.

[@sietemildos5014]

te amo

[@gavinkitchen1472]

X-Ray Spex was a true punk band, & more so then the Sex Pistols.

[@haxio17]

A pewdiepie and Justin timberlake Fan would know so much about punk

[@pequenavale3853]

does anyone know if this is a BBC original documentary? and what year is it from?

[@telbell6414]

ARENA was a BBC arts programme, I read elsewhere it was made in 1978...

[@lordelpus2099]

Marianne and Peter Green. Both lost souls.

[@skylarremshard6561]

does anyone know who the guy is in the hotel with her at 17:25 and then again around 25:55?? I have been going crazy trying to figure it out but I dont know if they ever say his name.

[@jasonwashere8016]

I feel like the bouncing souls got influenced by XRay a little in their delivery.

[@namafarm]

yes id agree. saw them live in the national capitol at the foot of the washington monument in a free show introduced by Jello Biafria.... great energy, and a musicality to BS writhing with classic punk energy

[@pangrac1]

4:12 This beauty in magazine looks like young Natile Portman, but she was born in 1981 and this was shot in 1978 I guess. Who the hell is that girl?

[@flammaferus2998]

nice fox

[@snakewhitcher4189]

I'm the most useless member of this entire operation and I've elected myself the leader. Said the saxophone player.

[@brianmolepo]

Yes

[@barrysmith8119]

XXXX oh how it was…..

[@robhtp3817]

I’m a new fan and will introduce Poly to my daughters. She’s someone who can show these kids what it’s like to be real and not plastic or fake or whatever anyone else wants you to be

[@777Ruffdriver]

Well said I’m glad you enjoyed the documentary. Thanks for watching

[@hikesteepfishhigh]

pogo!!!!!

[@PAULLONDEN]

6:28 The postman always rings twice.......?

[@KebabMusicLtd]

Well, yeah I understand your confusion. The way it works is that the postman delivers mail to each address in the road that he has letters for. He can determine this from the addresses on the letters he carries in his bag. When he first see him in the shot at 6.28 he is delivering to the army green door and Poly is a couple of yards behind him... by the time Poly reaches the white building displaying the open sign it coincides with the fact that the same postman has obviously made a postal delivery to this address as well, and is now exiting the building as Poly enters.

[@fundrive]

25:06

[@gregoryyoung502]

I have an original 45. Oh bondage up yours warrior at Woolworth.let me know.it’s the real deal. This for sale.not good with this “thing”.called people.old man with my incredible collection.I need paint for my art.oh yes food also. But I’ve got I have to say I have the shit that was released by everyone from that time forward.I can’t play it for ever.

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

Did you ever sell it? I would buy it most certainly...

[@remericant86]

“Give us a kiss” I am ashamed to be male

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

...and yer Parents are ashamed of you, soyboy...go grow a neckbeard and say "actually" alot...

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Great fashion sense, but not great take f

[@glennjones6574]

does anyone really think she sounded good??

[@Saint.questions]

That wasn't the point.. but yes...

[@davebayliss3142]

This is very nostalgic and but it was total shit 🤣

[@spacewombat6174]

Well, you said it, so I didn't have to 😂🤣

[@kevinmorrow5557]

Yeah maybe BBC documentary was shit, but she wasn't shit mate sorry!! What have you ever done?? Tell me?? Did you even get a degree, write poetry or music?? Awww please tell me because I done it! You gotta tell me ? Nothing? You fucking dead??

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

It's not shit at all. It's amazing Why do you think it's shit?

[@matoko123]

Would you care to expand on your view?

[@telbell6414]

@@matoko123 😜😁

[@deansacca781]

The most underrated band of all. They started punk rock

[@timpatrick2109]

No they didn’t.

[@deansacca781]

@@timpatrick2109 Well then who did ?

[@timpatrick2109]

@@deansacca781 That question is debatable but it surely was not Ex Ray Specs.

[@deansacca781]

@@timpatrick2109 I know. I was just being facetious. Just like them a lot. But I get ya'

[@g.g.6362]

Great band.....Far too original,inventive and gifted to be classed as Punk.

[@monicasmadhouse9278]

who cares