20 Greatest Punk Albums Ever Made
9. X-Ray Spex - Germ Free Adolescents
Outside the realms of punk rock, X-Ray Spex definitely do not get the credit they deserve. Considering the immense influence they had over early prototype punk rock in the UK, it's a wonder how their name isn't held alongside the likes of The Clash and Sex Pistols.
Including their breakthrough debut single 'Oh Bondage Up Yours!' (as a bonus track), 'Germ Free Adolescents' was the bands debut record and came out in 1978. X-Ray Spex were a groundbreaking band in several sense, especially when representing feminism and gender related topics in their music.
Their influence as a pioneering British punk group has far outlived their careers however, as X-Ray Spex disbanded in 1979, after remaining an active act for just three years. They briefly reformed in the 1990's but it was purely for touring purposes. Sadly, this tale does not have a happy ending, as lead guitarist Jak Airport died in 2004 and lead vocalist Poly Styrene died in 2011.