Poly Styrene collage by Dave Fischer
Poly Styrene was born on July 3rd 1957, and grew up to head the indomitable force in the weird margins of UK punk known as X-Ray Spex. 181 years earlier on July 4th 1776, the United States officiated the Declaration of Independence, birthing a country. That country went on to consolidate wealth and power through genocide, slavery, theft, and cultural erasure, leaving wounds so deep that today, they threaten to rip its constituent myths to shreds.
So you wanna get black out drunk? Do you need to wave tiny flags and pledge allegiance to a myth that perpetuates the exploitation of the many for the benefit of the few? Fuck no.
We’re here for those who work to take back our communities, our power, our future, our joy and our celebration. We say Fuck The Fourth. Let's celebrate July 3rd instead, Poly Styrene's birthday!