X

X are a noted punk rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1977. They have achieved only limited mainstream success, but were one of the most accessible and tuneful of Los Angeles' many punk bands. Original members were Exene Cervenka (vocals), John Doe (bass guitar, vocals), DJ Bonebrake (drums), Billy Zoom (guitar). This line-up now tours sporadically and still has a sizable and vociferous fanbase. Their albums had a hard-driving sound that occasionally flirted with country and blues; one critic suggests that X "were not just one of the greatest punk bands, but one of the greatest live rock acts of all time." In many ways--from songwriting to performances--X were arguably a bit more sophisticated and diverse than many of their punk peers (Excepting Cervenka, the band members all had previous musical experience before forming X). One critic writes that X were "too self-conscious, artsy and ambitious to simply spew" in typical punk fashion. Their first release, the appropriately titled Los Angeles (1980) (produced by The Doors' keyboard player, Ray Manzarek), was a minor hit, and well received by the underground press. Much of X's early material had a rockabilly edge, due in part to guitarist Billy Zoom. Doe and Cervenka co-wrote most of the group's songs, and their slightly off-kilter harmony vocals remain perhaps the group's most distinctive element. Their first two record were released on Slash Records; 1982's Wild Gift broadened the band's profile when it was named "Record of the Year" by Rolling Stone. X signed to Elektra in 1982 to release Under The Big Black Sun. 1983 saw the release of the More Fun In The New World album and the feature-length documentary, The Unheard Music. 1985 saw the release of Poor Little Critter In The Road, credited to The Knitters: X minus Zoom, plus Dave Alvin (of The Blasters) and a double bassist. The Knitters were devoted to folk and country music; their take of Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" "may be the definitive version." Zoom left the group in 1986. He was briefly replaced by Alvin, then by Tony Gilkyson, formerly of the band Lone Justice, for See How We Are. The album found X far from their punk origins, but maintaining a punchy, energetic hard rock sound. After touring for the album, X went on an extended hiatus. Both Doe and Exene have released solo albums; Doe moved more toward country music in his solo work. Since 1986, Doe has also maintained a busy second career as an actor, appearing in such films as Oliver Stone's Salvador, Allison Anders' Border Radio, the Jerry Lee Lewis biopic Great Balls of Fire, Miguel Arteta's The Good Girl, Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights, and the independent feature Roadside Prophets, in which he starred, with Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz. X regrouped in the early 1990s to record, and though the band has not released an album of new material since 1993, it continues to perform live, with Billy Zoom once again on guitar. The year 2005 has seen the DVD release of the 1985 documentary The Unheard Music and the concert DVD X: Live In Los Angeles, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of the band’s landmark debut album, Los Angeles. Discography
1. Los Angeles (album) (1980)
2. Wild Gift (1981)
3. Under the Big Black Sun (1982)
4. More Fun in the New World (1983)
5. Ain't Love Grand (1985)
6. See How We Are (1987)
7. Live at the Whiskey A Go-Go (1988 - Live)
8. Hey Zeus! (1993)
9. Unclogged (1995 - Live)
10. Beyond and Back: The X Anthology (1997)
11. X: Live in Los Angeles (2005)