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X-Ray Spex pack out London's Roundhouse

Rough and ready punk comeback draws thousands

Punk legends X-Ray Spex played a raucous comeback gig to a packed
Roundhouse in London last night (September 6).

The band, fronted by a bubbly, beret-sporting Poly Styrene, drew an audience of 3,000 excitable fans as they performed their classic 1978 album 'Germ Free Adolescents' in full.

Styrene and co were supported by John Robb's Manchester outfit Goldblade, while Don Letts also played a multimedia DJ set.

The Slits' bassist Tessa Pollitt, Madness' Chrissy Boy and Eater drummer Dee Generate were also in the audience to watch the reformed group.

X-Ray Spex played:

'Oh Bondage, Up Yours'
'Identity'
'Plastic Bag'
'Genetic Engineering'
'Art-I-Ficial'
'Warrior In Woolworths'
'I Can't Do Anything'
'Let's Submerge'
'I Am A Poseur'
'Melancholy'
'I Am A Cliche'
'Germ Free Adolescents'
'I Live Off You'

Comments (1)

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marleneonthewall 

Sep 9, 2008

The inaccurate nature of this "review" is quite discouraging.Whilst I can’t remember the exact order of each song on the set list, I can categorically say that the above is not a reflection of what they played. Much to my disappointment there was no plastic bag and yet it is stated on the above list. Genetic Engineering was the penultimate song and The day the world turned day-glo was the final song on the main part of set and also the song they played on the second encore and yet the article somehow completely fails to record this. It also misses out two further songs-Junk food and a song about the war. Strange observations indeed, I can’t help but think the person writing the article was not in attendance!Warrior in Woolworths, I am a cliché and Identity, for me were songs of the night!Warrior in WoolworthsHumble he may seemBehind his servile innocenceHe plots and schemes!The evening was not really that “raucous” but more nostalgic and retrospective. It was a great atmosphere with an eclectic mix of people in the crowd celebrating together one of the most authentic, clever and underrated bands of all time!POLY! POLY! POLY!

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