Towards the end of 1980, or early 1981, I bought the ‘Stations Of The Crass’ double album from the Small Wonder record shop in Walthamstow.
That was the very first record that I owned released on the Crass record label.
I followed that up with some of the available 7” singles and albums released on the Crass record label, throughout the weeks after I decided that I liked the ‘Stations’ album! The two Poison Girls albums and the 'Bloody Revolutions / Persons Unknown' 7" single were three other records that I acquired.
I went to see Crass at Welwyn Garden City Ludwick Hall in the Spring of 1982, with D.I.R.T and Flux in support, not the Poison Girls and the Eplieptics roadshow of a couple of years earlier.
I went to see Poison Girls for the first time at Stevenage Bowes Lyon House, with Rubella Ballet in support, during the Winter of 1982.
The Crass gig was great and all that, but as an awkwardly shy guy who didn't say a lot to anyone, a bit introverted and nervous, I realised after seeing Poison Girls and Rubella Ballet that I felt much more comfortable at those gigs.
A little less screaming and shouting, and a lot less in the way of booted bovver boys causing a fuss near the stage or outside.
A few weeks later in January 1983, I was back at Stevenage Bowes Lyon House for the screaming and shouting stuff. This time The Subhumans, with our local teeny-punk band, Virus V1 in support.
A few weeks later, Conflict and Omega Tribe performed. I preferred Omega Tribe.
There is going to be a pattern here.
The Poison Girls were one of the bands that I preferred to listen to, along with Rubella Ballet, Omega Tribe and The Mob. I preferred the pace, and the clarity of the lyrics live, or on the records.
The Poison Girls lyrics were (considering the band's maturity and intelligence) mature and intelligent. Some of those words still resonate deeply with me today.
I saw Poison Girls in the Summer of 1985, upstairs at the Hammersmith Clarendon with Blyth Power and The Ex. Three of my then favorite bands of that time performing together.
The last time that I saw Poison Girls was with Blyth Power and The Mekons at Brixton Fridge during the winter of 1986.
Throughout those years I never spoke to any Poison Girls, or indeed many members of any other bands. I was STILL an awkwardly shy guy who didn't say a lot to anyone, a bit introverted and nervous.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I am with Blyth Power in some squatted car showroom in Reading.
It is the Winter Solstice, and various artists and bands are performing short sets, throughout the evening.
Nothing to see here.
Move along.
Suddenly a van backs up to the make shift venue entrance, and Richard Famous and Vi Subversa appear from the van.
I was there at that point so I felt inclined to offer help to unload their van.
They were both very appreciative of my offer, but told me there was next to nothing that needed unloading.
I realised that Richard and Vi were to perform a short set themselves, as a duo, and not as the Poison Girls.
Being a squat with no back stage, and being on hand to offer help to unload, so therefore in Vi's intimidate proximity, and as I was now feeling a little less awkward and shy than I was in previous years, I spoke to Vi for the first time...
And for some time.
To my surprise, she did not shuffle away subtly, or make any excuses to leave the hostage situation she had unknowingly fallen into.
She listened to me, I listened to her.
A cassette tape of the Suns Of Arqa backing up Prince Far I, blared out seemingly on a loop via the roped up sound system, between the artists and bands performing.
Richard and Vi eventually set up and they put in a great performance.
The highlight of the night, and the very last time I saw Vi perform any of her songs.
Around five years after I had first witnessed Vi up on stage in 1982.
Vi, and Vi's lyrics were a massive inspiration to me back in the early 1980's.
Within that squat in Reading, she was caring and beautiful, witty and humble and a great listener, inspiring me further.
Some state; "Don't meet your heroes".
Those that do state that, are possibly following the wrong 'heroes'.
I'm glad I met one of mine.
Even for a short time.
R.I.P VI.
The original 'Hex' booklet from my collection.
Original 'Persons Unknown' flyer from Tony D's collection.
