Poison Girls
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 in Brighton, England |
| Founder | Vi Subversa |
| Headquarters | Brighton , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles, compilations |
| Website | www |
The Poison Girls were an anarcho-punk group originating from Brighton, England. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Vi Subversa, who was a mother of two and middle-aged when the band formed, their lyrics often delved into themes of sexuality and gender through an anarchist lens. The initial roster featured Lance D'Boyle on drums, Richard Famous handling guitar and vocals, Nil contributing tapes, bass, and electric violin, alongside Bernhardt Rebours on bass, synthesizer, and piano.
History
Established in Brighton in 1976, Poison Girls eventually relocated close to Dial House, the residence of fellow anarchist band Crass. The two bands collaborated extensively, sharing the stage for over 100 performances. In 1979, they actively supported the peace movement by participating in benefit concerts alongside Crass and financed the production of the first CND badges since the movement’s height. That same year, they released "Persons Unknown" on a split single with Crass’s "Bloody Revolutions" and contributed to raising more than £10,000 for the short-lived Wapping Autonomy Centre. Their track "Bully Boys," which criticized aggressive machismo, provoked attacks from members of the National Front. Additionally, the band founded the X-N-Trix label along with a publishing division for the Impossible Dream magazine and operated recording studios that supported other musicians.
Although their final studio album was recorded in 1985, numerous compilations featuring Poison Girls’ material have been issued, and their songs remain staples on punk collections.
They were involved in producing Aids — The Musical through The Lenya Hobnoobs Theatre Company and presented Mother Russia was a Lesbian in 1992. The band reunited in 1995 at London Astoria II to celebrate Vi Subversa’s 60th birthday. Richard Famous has since pursued a career as a painter and decorator. The duo performed under the name That Famous Subversa until Subversa passed away in February 2016.
Members
- Vi Subversa – vocals and guitar
- Richard Famous – guitar and vocals
- Lance d’Boyle (Gary Lance Robins) – drums and backing vocals (1976–84)
- Bella Donna – bass (1976–77)
- Pete Fender – bass (1978, 1984)
- Scott Barker – bass (1978)
- Bernhardt Rebours – bass, synthesizer, piano, backing vocals (1979–81)
- Nil – tapes (1979–1981), electric violin and bass (1980–1995)
- Chris Grace – bass (1982–83)
- Mark Dunn – bass (1983–84)
- Cynth Ethics (Sian Daniels) – synthesizer and vocals (1983–85)
- Martin Heath – bass (1984)
- Max Vol – bass (1984–87)
- Agent Orange – drums (1984–87)
- Andy Demetriou – bass (1989)
Albums
- (1979) Hex (EP released on X-N-Trix Records; reissued in 1980 via Crass Records)
- (1980) Chappaquiddick Bridge (accompanied by "A Statement" flexi disc - Crass Records)
- (1982) Where's the Pleasure? (X-N-Trix Records)
- (1985) Songs of Praise (featuring cover art by Clifford Harper - X-N-Trix Records)
Live
- (1981) Total Exposure (X-N-Trix Records)
Singles
- (1979) "Closed Shop" / "Piano Lessons" (split 12" with Fatal Microbes - X-N-Trix/Small Wonder Records)
- (1980) "Persons Unknown" (collaborative single with Crass to support an Anarchist Centre - Crass Records)
- (1980) "Bully Boys" / "Pretty Polly" (flexi disc included with fanzine In The City #15)
- (1980) "All Systems Go!" (7" - Crass Records)
- (1983) "Are You Happy Now?" / "White Cream Dream" (12" - Illuminated Records)
- (1983) "One Good Reason" (7" - Illuminated Records)
- (1984) "I'm Not A Real Woman" (12" - X-N-Trix Records)
- (1985) "The Price of Grain and the Price of Blood" (12" - Upright Records)
Compilations
- (1984) 7 Year Scratch (double compilation featuring live recordings - X-N-Trix Records)
- (1984) Who? What? Why? When? Where? ("The Offending Article" included on Conflict's compilation, Mortarhate Records; reissued in 2003 with broader distribution)
- (1995) Statement - The Complete Recordings (4-CD box set accompanied by lyric and historical booklets - Cooking Vinyl)
- (1995) Real Woman (Cooking Vinyl Records)
- (1997) Their Finest Moments (Nectar Masters Records)
- (1998) Poisonous (Recall 2 CD Records)
Further reading
- Smith, Evan; Worley, Matthew. Against the grain: The British far left from 1956. Manchester University Press, 2014. Section: The emergence of anarcho-punk.