On this day, 37 years ago, Marianne Joan Elliott-Said, better know as Poly Styrene, passed away.

Poly left her home at the age of 16 and became interested in punk music after attending a concert by The Sex Pistols in the mid 70s. Shortly after she placed an advertisement in a local newspaper saying she was looking for people to start her own punk band. Ultimately this band became the legendary X - Ray Spex, featuring the 19 year old Poly as the flamboyant figurehead. She stood out for her striking appearance. She wore clashing colours and braces to emphasize she did not want to be seen as a sex object.

The band had an instant underground hit with their debut 7” 'Oh Bondage! (30 September 1977). In 1978 two more successful singles followed ,’The Day The World Turned Day-glo' and 'Identity'.

In 1978 Poly Styrene started to suffer from hallucinations that prevented her from focusing on the band and music. She was hospitalized where she was misdiagnosed as schizophrenic. It was not until 1991 that she was diagnosed correctly with bipolar behavioral disorder.

After X - Ray Spex broke up in 1980, Poly Styrene released her solo album 'Translucence'. The loud punk sound and her characteristic shrill voice gave way to calmer jazzy music and a more subdued singing style.

Even when solo album became a minor success, Poly Styrene withdrew from the music world soon after. In 1983 she joined the Hare Krishna movement, which she was actively involved with until 1988.

For many years she lived in anonymity but suddenly, in 2004 she made a comeback with the album 'Flower Airplane'. Six years later another new album, ‘Generation Indigo' was released (March 28, 2011). It would become her final album …

In February 2011, Poly Styrene was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, with metastases to the spine and lungs. She died on Easter Monday, 25 April 2011 at her home in Sussex at the age of 53.

DISCOGS

On this day, 35 years ago, MUTE records released their first Nitzer Ebb product. Although it was initially released by Nitzer Ebb themselves as their official 3rd single (NEP3), through their own label Power Of Voice and featuring 'Get Clean' as b-side in May 1986. 'Let Your Body Learn' was re-released by Mute Records (EU) and Geffen Records (US) in April 1987 with different song versions, track-lists and variating artwork, preceding their cult album to be, That Total Age (1987) on Mute Records (1987).

Let Your Body Learn (7” - MUTE58)

A.. Let Your Body Learn (DM Hansa Mix) 2:48
B. Let Your Body Learn (Instrumental) 3:08

Let Your Body Learn (12” - 12MUTE58)

A.. Let Your Body Learn 6:27
B1.. Let Your Body Learn (Instrumental) 3:08
B2. Let Your Body Learn (7" Edit) 2:50

Let Your Body Learn (Lyrics)

Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands

Melt in the music
The music of drums
Melt in the music
The music of drums

Choose the fast beat
Choose the hard line
Choose the fast beat
Choose the hard line

Try to show us one better
Not sick to the heart
Not calling with flesh
Suffer little children
Suffer little children
Suffer little children
Written in pain

Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace

Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands

Hold onto rhythm
The music of drums
Hold onto rhythm
The music of drums

The pulse is alive
Making me sane

Let your body learn
Let your body build
Let your body learn
Let your body build

Suffer little children
Suffer little children
Suffer little children
The pulse is alive

Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands

Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace
Boys at one
Girls at peace

Freedom from fear
Giving release
Freedom from fear
Giving release
Giving release
Giving your heart

Fast beating feet
Fast falling hands
Fast beating feet
Fast falling hands
Fast beat the feet
Fast fall the hands

Choose
Fast beat the feet (learn)

Choose
Fast beat the feet (learn)

Feel

Choose

Let your body learn
Let your body build
Let your body learn
Let your body build

Choose

Learn

Build

Choose

Learn

Build

Choose

Learn

Build

Choose

DISCOGS

The Melancholic Maniac is back! Blutengel leader, Chris Pohl, is once again taking us on a melodic trip into his musical poetry album: 80s romanticism with playful synths and irresistible wave appeal. An atmospheric journey through "Space and Time" by and with She Hates Emotions, the single which announces the new album, Happy Pop Music, that will be released in 2022 via Out Of Line.

Dark pop artist Lia Hide returns with her new single, "Dinner" taken from the upcoming, fourth studio album, The Missing Fourth Guest. The follow up to the first single, "Proposal", "Dinner" continues where Lia left off, giving another exciting insight into the upcoming album.

"It's an invitation to dinner, so we can mend things that went wrong. I go from being alone in my own head, in my mess, to reaching out for some communication with someone, anyone, so we can have dinner, discuss and focus on being alright." - Lia Hide

The new album, The Missing Fourth Guest borrows its theme from Plato's 'Timeaus' themes. It discusses human mortality, the emotional struggles of the recent pandemic and lockdowns and the modern man's place in the Universe.

As "Dinner" progresses introducing a driving live drum beat, the track bursts into a euphoric brass section elevating the soundscape and demonstrating Lia’s versatility and ability to flawlessly blend elements of alternative electronic, pop and jazz. Experimental, packed with musical complexity and beauty.

www.facebook.com/lia.hide

Gothic rockers, Black Angel have just unveiled their fourth studio album, The Black Rose. Following up the previous and well received release, Prince Of Darkness, Black Angel further solidify their mark in the goth rock community with this new nine track, soon to be classic album.

Sticking with their hybrid Gothic Rock sound, Black Angel takes flavours from the likes of 80s predecessors, The Cult and The Mission while adding new tones of their own. There is definitely a slightly more sinister, edgy feel to the tracks on The Black Rose.

From the Mission-esque style of "Breathe" to the slick, guitar sounds and soaring vocals of "All Or Nothing" and "Look Me In The Eye" to the musically playful but thematically sinister "Carnival Man", Black Angel's diversity and trademark sound pulse throughout the entire release.

"Battle Cry" brings The Black Rose to an end. Inspired by one of the band‘s greatest influences, The Cult, this song is a romantic story of forever love.

The Black Rose is available on vinyl LP, CD and digital formats via Bandcamp.

Black Angel Is:

Matt Vowles - All Music

Cory Landis - Vocals

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