X-Ray Spex Review, Punk Rock News and Album Reviews

It was Malcolm McLaren who provided Susan Ballion and Steven Bailey the opportunity to form a band when he asked if they knew any bands who might want to support the Sex Pistols at the 100 Club at his Punk Festival on 16 September 1976 as an act had pulled out at the last minute. "To say no would have been impossible".   Ballion had already renamed herself Siouxsie Sioux by this time and Bailey (though known as Steve Spunker at that first gig) soon chose the stage name of Steven Severin. The early Banshees played an improvised 24 minute rendition of The Lord's Prayer at the 100 Club, playing with Marco Pirroni on guitar and Sid Vicious on drums, because they didn't have the time to learn any songs... or even their instruments.   The Pistols may have been punk's ground zero; but the most overlooked thing about Siouxsie is that she arrived quite independently, and fully-formed into that maelstrom year of 1976. Before anyone even uttered the words punk rock, in 1975 she was already strutting off on the bus to the Roxy dressed outrageously, and drawing threatening stares. She was one of the handful who'd been waiting for punk to happen, and who became one of its crucial catalysts.   She was at the epicentre of the scene, the so-called Bromley Contingent who discovered the Sex Pistols and who added the fanbase glamour that the band needed. She was the one who arrived topless at their shows, shocking even the Pistols' entourage. She was the one whose snarky tongue sparked the famous Bill Grundy incident on national TV when she wound the presenter up by saying, "I always wanted to meet you," sparking the exchange which ended in Steve Jones calling Grundy a "dirty fucker" - creating the moment which thrust the Pistols, and Siouxsie, into the national consciousness.   But arguably Siouxsie's influence runs much deeper than punk. It was her band, The Banshees, that provided the impetus for Robert Smith to reinvent The Cure and when the goth scene arrived in the early 1980s, Siouxsie was right at its centre.   However, despite Siouxsie and the Banshees' prolific output in the 20 years they were together, they never quite fit the mainstream. Their modal melodies and spacious textures may have passed a baton to a generation of bands like U2, and their lush, darkly expressionistic lyrics may have laid the groundwork for Goth, but the Banshees' work never sat happily alongside that of their back-to-basics punk contemporaries. they have always remained more influential than successful. Even today you don’t hear their music as much as you do The Clash, Sex Pistols or The Cure. But, in a way that feels exactly how it should be.   Join me on a deep dive into the lives and careers of Siouxsie, Steven, Budgie and an array of guitarists and drummers, in this tale of highs, lows, addiction, obsession and rebirth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 Juli 20203h 5min

Welcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to quickly cover some of the reaction to the Rebel Yell: The History of Generation X and Billy Idol episode, give some shout-outs and to let you know that the next episode will be about Siouxsie and the Banshees!   I can't wait for you to hear it, however, it may not be with you this coming Friday, 31st July 2020 as things have been a bit hectic these last few weeks and I really want to deliver the best possible content to you. So, it could be another week or more, but either way, keep your eyes peeled to the social channels and make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the episode as soon as it drops. In fact, why not tell your friends to do the same, and don't forget to leave a rating and review, but most of all; enjoy!   Contact   Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Juli 20209min

In late 1976, William Broad, a 21 year old university drop-out, and his friend John Towe, a shop assistant and drummer, replied to an advert to form a new band. In this band (Chelsea) they began working with Tony James and Gene October. However, James and Broad - now known as Billy Idol - soon outgrew Chelsea and formed their own band, Generation X. Just days later, the pair, along with Towe and young guitarist Bob (Derwood) Andrews, took to the stage as headliners at The Roxy club, Covent Garden. It wasn't all plain sailing though, and four years later Idol struck out on his own to seek fame and fortune in the US. Forty years on, Billy Idol remains a giant star in the rock firmament... and the other members of Generation X didn't do too badly over the years either, as you'll find out in this episode. Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Juni 20202h 5min

Welcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to quickly cover some of the reaction to The Tale of The Damned (Damned Damned) episode, give some shout-outs and to let you know that the next episode will be about Generation X and its lead singer Billy Idol, who went on to become a massive success as a solo artist in his own right. I can't wait for you to hear it, it should be with you this coming Friday, 26th June 2020. So, make sure you subscribe on whatever platform you get your podcasts from, tell all your friends to do the same, leave a rating and review, but most of all; enjoy! Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Juni 20206min

While the Sex Pistols are claimed with spearheading the punk movement in the UK, with Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious as its poster boys, and later The Clash took punk rock in a more diverse musical direction, there was one band quietly racking up a string of ‘firsts’: First UK punk rock band to release a single; first UK punk rock band to release a full-length album; first UK punk rock band to tour America; and the first UK punk rock band to split up and then reunite - MANY times. This band is also still performing live and releasing new material to this day, more than 40 years later. In this episode, Banned Biographies takes a look at the career of one of the hardest working of the original punk bands - The Damned - and its many,many members. Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Maj 20201h 21min

Welcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to cover some of the reaction to The Sex Pistols Story, give some shout-outs, pose some possible changes to the format that I'd like to hear back from you about, and finally, to let you know that the next episode will focus on The Damned. Can't wait for you to hear it, it should be with you this coming Friday, May 29th 2020. So, make sure you subscribe on whatever platform you get your podcasts from, tell all your friends to do the same, leave a rating and review, but most of all; enjoy! Contact: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Maj 202010min

The 1970s was a turbulent time in the UK what with a national energy crisis, a financial crash, strikes leading to the three-day-week, runaway inflation and record unemployment figures. Was it any wonder then that people felt disenfranchised, frustrated and nihilistic? Out of this bubbling tension exploded a band that epitomised the national feeling. The Sex Pistols single-handedly invented the punk genre both in terms of sound and aesthetics, and in just a few short years - and amazingly, only one album - shook the foundations of the establishment and inspired countless young people who felt like they didn’t belong to form bands and make their voices heard. This first full-length episode of Banned Biographies takes an in-depth look at the ups and downs of punk's most iconic band as well as some of the other notable and notorious figures caught in their wake. Contact Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Apr 20201h 33min

In this teaser for Band Biographies, a brand new podcast documentary series charting the careers of some of the most notorious bands ever to grace the world's stages, I tell you a bit about myself and why I wanted to start this series. The first episode, which will drop in a few days, will focus on the lives and careers of the members of - as well as some of the key people around - the original, iconic Sex Pistols. So, make sure you subscribe on whatever platform you get your podcasts from and tell all your friends to do the same, but most of all; enjoy! I'd love to hear back from as many of you as possible, you can contact me at these places: Twitter: @BannedBiogs Facebook: @BannedBiographies Instagram: @bannedbiographies E-mail: bannedbiographies@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Apr 20207min