Poison Girls

Poison Girls preforming at the squatted Zig Zag Club in London, December 1982

Poison Girls preforming at the squatted Zig Zag Club
in London, December 1982 (photo: G. Burnett)

The Poison Girls were a British anarcho-punk band, at one point a part of that scene around Crass. The female singer, Vi Subversa, wrote songs that kicked patriarchy in the teeth, bringing the kind of punk energy associated with “anarcho-punk” to bear on women’s experiences and struggles. From what i understand, Vi got turned on to punk when two of her kids formed their own band (The Fatal Microbes – they went on to be half of Rubella Ballet) – she figured this was something she might be good at, and the rest is history. Vi once described the band as the “dildo in the anus of the music business” – to which one might say “lucky music business”!

Poisongirls released 5 albums and eight EP’s and singles. In 1995, to celebrate Vi’s 60th birthday, the band did a one-off reunion gig at the LA2.

Until recently, I myself only heard their music on old dubbed tapes, which as the years went by slowly degraded in quality. When i found out that Active Distribution in the UK sold a complete box set of all of Poison Girls’ material, on CDS, i couldn’t resist!

What did i think? Well, i liked the band before, and i really like the band now, so much so that i have put up this section of my site devoted to them, so you figure it out…

December 2010 update:

Great news – there is now an official Poison Girls website being put up by former members. Already have loads of good stuff up, including a “Myths and Legends” debunking of the fake history out there, and promise to soon have all their old artwork and music downloadable form!

Check it out: http://www.poisongirls.co.uk

Discography

if you would like to see a more detailed Discography, with pictures of the album covers and songlists, you should visit http://www.poisongirls.co.uk/music.html

“Closed Shop/Piano Lessons” (X-N-Trix Records, 1979, split 12″ single with Fatal Microbes)
Hex (X-N-Trix, 1979, rereleased on Crass Records, 1981)
“Persons Unknown” (Crass Records, 1980, joint single with Crass as a benefit to raise funds to start an Anarchist Centre)
Chappaquidick Bride (Crass Records, 1980)
“All Systems Go!” (Crass Records, 1981)
Total Exposure (live LP) (X-N-Trix, 1981)
Where’s the Pleasure? (X-N-Trix, 1982)
“One Good Reason” (Illuminted Records, 1983)
“Are You Happy Now?” (Illuminated Records, 1983)
“I’m Not A Real Woman” (X-N-Trix, 1984)
Seven Year Scratch (X-N-Trix, 1984, double compilation from previous releases plus live material)
Songs of Praise (1985, features cover artwork by Clifford Harper)
“The Price of Grain” (1985)
Statement- The Complete Recordings (Cooking Vinyl, 1995, 4 CD boxed set with accompanying lyric and history booklets)

MP3s

i am uploading these mp3s on the assumption that this would be cool with whomever holds the rights – if not just email me at info@kersplebedeb.com and let me know!

Abort the System (3452K)
Lovers Are They Worth It? (2643K)
Offending Article (4391K)
Price of Grain (2586K)
State Control (3298K)

Poison Girls

December 2010 update:

Discography

MP3s

Lyrics

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