A Short History of the Band X

X were led by Exene Cervenka and John Doe. They were one of the first LA hardcore punk bands and their music was hard, fast punk rockabilly. Their guitarist was Billy Zoom who played as though he were a criminal trying to get across the state border. The drummer was DJ Bonebrake. He pounded away as Doe and Cervenka traded rough vocal harmonies over the top.Their first four albums were produced by former Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek, who was a bit like their spiritual guru.

It was their second album which brought X all the attention. It was voted album of the year by the LA Times, something which didn't happen to punk bands all that often in 1981. It features cleverly written songs. 'White Girl' is about a girl who's living with an abusive older man. 'Back On The Base' is a song about Elvis Presley - 'I'm the King of Rock'n'Roll, if you don't like it, lump it'. 'We're Desperate' is a classic punk song all about being a punk rocker, and how hard it is to live as a punk rocker. Their sound was different to many punk bands of the time, they were uplifting rather than nihilistic.

In 1982 they released their third album called 'Under the Big Black Sun'. It was a slight change of direction for the band and, along with bands like Wall of Voodoo, they were developing what would become known as cowpunk - a blend of two blue-collar / working-class musical forms which crossed the generations. This shift also let X start to address more grown-up issues and mature subject matter. There's a good deal of sadness evident on the track 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes'. Exene's vocals, usually atonal, are drenched in sadness and loss, down to the recent death of her sister. Guitarist Billy Zoom, who was once guitarist with Gene Vincent, is on fire throughout the album. Many of the songs deal with the ups and downs of relationships with the best being 'Motel Room In My Bed'.

Their fourth album, 'More Fun In The New World', followed 'Under The Big Black Sun' straight into the Billboard charts for some well received commercial success. Their sound was becoming more and more like sophisticated country music and hinted that perhaps they were looking to have a long career in music and to be taken seriously on the way. Just after the album was released John Doe and Exene Cervanka divorced and the special X factor which had been the essence of all their good work was lost. Along with this Billy Zoom left just before 'Ain't Love Grand!' and the band finally split up, after a couple more studio albums, in 1995.