DIG THIS WITH BILL MESNIK AND RICH BUCKLAND- THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS

THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS PRESENT "DOUBLE TROUBLE" - PRETTY PUNKS WITH X-RAY SPEX AND THE PRETENDERS. DOUBLE DOWN!!

·12 min·1 clip

Johnny Rotten said the only person who frightened him was X-Ray Spex's Poly Styrene—why did she terrify punk's icon?

The episode opens by framing itself as 'Double Trouble,' a program that asks how two musical things are alike or different. It introduces X-Ray Spex and The Pretenders as dominating forces in the late-70s punk scene. Johnny Rotten's statement that Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex was the only person who frightened him sets up her intimidating presence. Poly Styrene, born to a Somali father and British mother, railed against consumerist culture with her band. Her single 'Oh Bondage Up Yours!' featured a bleeding saxophone charge by Laura Logic and became a riot grrrl anthem. The episode then shifts to Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, noting she's still rocking after 50 years. Hynde is described as a vegetarian restaurateur and punk legend from America's Midwest who moved to England. Poly Styrene's life is detailed: she started as a hippie sleeping in crisis pads, nearly died from sepsis after stepping on a rusty nail, and was inspired by the Sex Pistols. She chose her moniker from the yellow pages, wore braces and day-glo outfits, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1978. Later, she pursued jazzier solo work, became a Hare Krishna and vegetarian, and revealed breast cancer in 2011 before dying that year. Chrissie Hynde's song 'Middle of the Road' is analyzed, with its guitar signature by Robbie McIntosh creating an irresistible force. Hynde is portrayed as a survivor, driving through Ohio at 120 mph in the song, and being a single mother at 33. She is listed by Rolling Stone as 114th among the 200 greatest singers and continues performing at age 74. Hynde's personal life includes almost marrying Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious, and Ray Davies, and having a daughter by a Kink. Her career began after several misfires, with a demo tape reaching Dave Hill of Real Records, who helped form The Pretenders. The episode concludes with poetic lines about riding till the sand, emphasizing endurance and legacy.

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