Vi Subversa burst onto the punk scene at an age when most artists are winding down their careers. Yet, it was precisely this wealth of life experience that made her an incredibly authentic and influential figure. Her songs didn’t just ride the musical wave; they delved into issues of social inequality, sexuality, and individual freedom. Read more on londonski.
Early Life and Creative Journey of Vi Subversa
Vi Subversa was born Frances Sokolov on 20th June 1935 in London. Her childhood was marked by the Second World War: like thousands of other children in the capital, she was evacuated to rural Wales. There, in the home of two elderly unmarried women, she experienced the years of armed conflict, which left a deep impression on her consciousness.
In the 1950s, Vi Subversa ventured to Israel, where she worked as a potter alongside Nehemiah Azaz, a renowned sculptor and ceramist. After some time, she moved to Brighton, dedicating herself to social work and theatre, where she first began to fully unleash her artistic nature. Her participation in the cabaret show ‘That Famous Subversa’ marked her initial success on stage.
In 1975, Vi Subversa decided she’d spend the rest of her life lying on her back, studying clouds. However, life had other plans: she then joined an informal creative community made up of students, former hippies, and “all sorts of scoundrels.” It was at ‘The Body Show’ at the University of Sussex that the artist first performed as a musician. This event spurred the creation of the band Poison Girls in 1976, which became deeply rooted in the UK’s counter-cultural movement. Immediately standing out for their radicalism, their debut single with the collective was released in 1979.
With virtually no radio or television experience, Poison Girls were largely overlooked by mainstream music media. However, they soon began to gain global influence and an international audience of fans, friends, and like-minded individuals. Vi Subversa knew how to transform her political and feminist views into profound and relevant lyrics that the entire alternative audience could grasp. She found her place in punk culture, where she was loved and respected as a friend.
By the mid-1980s, Poison Girls had largely ceased active touring. However, in 1995, they performed at London’s Astoria club to celebrate Vi Subversa’s 60th birthday. After all musical projects concluded, her desire for creativity remained strong. She moved to Spain, where she led a quieter life and reverted to using her birth name, Frances Sokolov. In addition to songwriting, she developed a passion for poetry and actively participated in literary circles.
Vi Subversa’s final artistic project was her involvement in the cabaret trio ‘Vi Subversa’s Naughty Thoughts’, which united her with Michael Coates and Judy Bailey. Their final performance took place on 5th December 2015 in Brighton, where the artist took to the stage with The Cravats. According to Penny Rimbaud, she already appeared physically exhausted. Vi Subversa passed away peacefully in her sleep on 19th February 2016.
Recognition and Significance of Vi Subversa’s Musical Work
As the frontwoman and lyricist for Poison Girls, Vi Subversa laid the groundwork for alternative feminist punk. Her stance remained firmly left-wing, working-class, and radical, which sometimes put her in opposition to other figures within the movement. Vi Subversa gained recognition not through awards or airplay, but through the deep respect of listeners, colleagues, and young artists. As part of her band, she collaborated with alternative artists such as Tony Allen, Benjamin Zephaniah, Mark Hurst, Toxic Shock, and Janice Perry.
