Beki Bondage

Beki Bondage is a punk musician from Bristol, United Kingdom, best known for her work with Vice Squad. Born in 1963, she is associated with punk rock and riot grrrl and has remained active as a singer, songwriter and performer across several projects.

Vice Squad and early profile

Bondage is a member of Vice Squad and is often described as one of punk’s early pin-up figures. She appears on the covers of music papers and magazines including Melody Maker, NME and Smash Hits, and she also appears on the cover of Sounds three times, including one topless but non-explicit pose that caused controversy.

Ligotage and solo work

In 1983 she leaves Vice Squad and forms Ligotage with Steve Roberts of UK Subs. The pair release the single “Crime and Passion” on EMI in 1983, but it does not sell strongly. Their only album, Forgive and Forget, comes out on Picasso Records. After that, Bondage releases two solo singles in 1985.

The Bombshells and later career

In 1986 she forms The Bombshells, also billed as Beki & the Bombshells, and the band plays the London club and punk circuit for many years. She takes up guitar in 1996 and later co-produces her last three albums, while also writing lyrics and music.

Bondage reforms Vice Squad in 1998 with a new line-up. The band continues to record and tour, especially in Eastern Europe, and also plays festivals such as Badfest in 2006. She is the only woman on the 15-band Social Chaos Tour of the USA in 1999.

Recent releases and touring

Her album London Underground is released on Last Rockers Records, a label she sets up with songwriting partner Paul Rooney. Vice Squad later releases Punk Rock Radio. Bondage continues to write, record and perform live, including shows and festival appearances across Europe and the UK such as Punk and Disorderly, Mighty Sounds, Tintorock, Pod Parou, Bring the Fire, Wasted, Hooifesten, Vive la Pola, Bulldog Bash, Durham Punk Fest, The Wickerman, The Willowman and Rebellion.

In 2006, Garry Bushell refers to her as “a jewel in the crown of England’s glory” in a speech for the Campaign to Celebrate our English Heritage.