Part of the Decolonise Fest Takeover…
New-wavers from London Town, Bona Rays means ‘beautiful face’ in Polari; a language spoken by gay men at a time when homosexuality was against the law in this country. It was used in the gay community, so that others (especially the police) couldn’t understand them arranging dates, liaisons, etc.
The origins of Bona Rays dates back to the original ‘year zero’ punk times of 1977, when singer Chas was one of the first black women to front a punk band. A long-lost single (that was only a demo disc) resurfaced and was subsequently issued by Flashback Records in 2020. A band was put together to perform live and promote the single, but COVID struck. And well, that was that! Post COVID, the new band have released two singles (No Connection & Bad Men), written a brand new set and have played regularly across London.
