The great thing about punk and related music from about 1976 to 1982 is that the very best of it reflected difference, whether that difference be race, class, gender, or religion. It challenged, it asked questions and it entertained and excited. Which is exactly what Dayglo by Celeste Bell and Zöe Howe does, as it’s a superbly arranged and written oral biography of Poly Styrene, which goes deeper than you’d imagine. For those thinking hagiography rather than biography think again as this book doesn’t shy away from Poly’s ambitious side or what the damage being in a band (and fame) did to her, “And who was Poly Styrene exactly? Just a character you created. And she was taking over”. It’s also a biography that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go, as there’s no stopping 76 to 79, the gigs, the classic singles and album, Poly’s brilliant dayglo image, lyrics and artwork. It doesn’t stop until it does, and X-Ray Spex split up. The Hare Krishna years, her latter career, and mental health problems as compelling and as hard fought as the earlier part of her life. Oh, yeah, and don’t be put off by the book’s coffee table format, which definitely deceives. In fact, it’s hard to think of another book in this format where such a compelling text matches an equally compelling set of artwork and photos. Coffee table biog of the year.

Dayglo (The Poly Styrene Story) – Cleste Bell andZöeHowe – publ. by Omnibus Press

Steven Long