What with the flurry of activity that has surrounded Owen going into hospital for another back op I have not had a chance to rave about the glory that was the X-Ray Spex reunion gig at the Roundhouse on Saturday. Like.... wow!

Poly Styrene has always been a bit of a heroine of mine, a genuinely original voice and a living example of the punk ethos that was liberation across race and gender. Of course it didn't actually pan out like that but it was a time when anyone could make their mark and was there a more day-glo mark than the Spexters?

In their world of shrink-wrapped, shiny, plastic disposable consumerism Poly was the focal point - a short, half English-half Somali girl with braces on her teeth with a voice like a police-siren singing songs of a wipe-clean world where emotions struggle to set free. There was no one else like her.

The Spexters blazed brightly for three years before Poly left the group due to exhaustion. For such a short-lived band with 5 singles and 1 album - none of which made the top 15 amazingly - their memory has been fondly remembered and the album GERM-FREE ADOLESCENTS has always remained in print.

I saw them once at the first Rock Against Racism gig in April 1978 where Poly surprised the crowd with a mumsy jacket and skirt and a scarf wound round her head so I was excited to see how they would present themselves now.

After the rather oppressive atmosphere at Hammersmith for the Sex Pistols the feeling at the Roundhouse was one of bubbling expectant excitement. Out of the darkness a quiet voice said "Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard but I think.... OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!" and with a blaze of light we were off on a non-stop charge into X-Ray Spexland!

Poly was resplendant in a black dress and a shocking pink scarf-belt, big clumpy boots and a pink sequined beret, full-figured and with long dark hair - she looked great! Both her and us spent the next hour or so grinning madly and belting out their classic anthems. She kept waving and saying hello and seemed genuinely happy to be there - as were we.

The band's sound was delightfully rough and chaotic and Poly's voice still had the power to knock down doors! My highlights were a mighty IDENTITY, a tranquil GERM FREE ADOLESCENCE, ART-I-FICIAL, LET'S SUBMERGE, I CAN'T DO ANYTHING was as gloriously balmy as ever, HIGHLY IMFLAMMABLE and a storming version of I AM A CLICHE which had the crowd at the front of the stage seething, pogoing, moshing and surfing.

And of course she finished with THE DAY THE WORLD TURNED DAY-GLO. But we clapped and stomped for more so we were treated in true punk-style to OH BONDAGE and DAY-GLO again! If a song is worth doing....

So there you go, even a long schlepp home and an eternity waiting for a poke of chips did not dampen our pleasure at seeing and hearing Poly 30 years down the line, still as vibrant and now as ever!

By the way the good news is that Owen is possibly due to be allowed home today from St. George's in Tooting. So... in on Sunday, op'd on Monday, out on Tuesday. I'm sure if they could do the op through your letterbox they would.