| X (us Band) |
Article Index for X |
Information AboutX (us Band) |
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collection ''Beyond and Back: The X Anthology''. L to R:Doe, Zoom, Cervenka, Bonebrake]] X are a noted Punk Rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1977 . While they achieved only limited mainstream success, they were widely considered one of the most accessible and tuneful of Los Angeles' many punk bands. Their landmark 1980 record '' Los Angeles '' resonated so loudly with the artisans of the city it is named after, that the band received an Official Certificate of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles in acknowledgment of their important contributions to Los Angeles music and culture. Original members were Exene Cervenka (aka Christine Cervenka, vocals), John Doe (aka John Nommensen Duchac, bass/vocals), DJ Bonebrake (drums), and Billy Zoom (aka Tyson Kindell; guitar). After Zoom retired from the band Tony Gilkyson replaced him on guitar. Zoom reunited with X in 1998 . The original 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." {Link without Title} In many ways — from songwriting to performances — X were arguably a bit more sophisticated and diverse than many of their punk peers (except Cervenka, all band members had previous musical experience before forming X.) One critic writes that X were "too self-conscious, Art sy and ambitious to simply spew" in typical punk fashion. {Link without Title} HISTORY 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 and mainstream media. Much of X's early material had a Rockabilly edge, mostly courtesy of guitarist 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 lyrics tended to be straight-out Poetry , and comparisons to Charles Bukowski and Raymond Chandler were made from the start. Their follow-up, 1981 's '' Wild Gift '', broadened the band's profile when it was named "Record of the Year" by '' Rolling Stone '', '' The Los Angeles Times '', '' The New York Times '', and '' Village Voice ''. Their first two records were released on Slash Records and similar in style. X signed to Elektra in 1982 to release '' Under The Big Black Sun '', which marked a slight departure from their trademark sound; While still fast and loud, the album's country leanings were evolving and its raw punk sound was channeling raw metal guitar power-chords. 1983 saw the release of the '' More Fun In The New World '' album. By this time, X had redefined their sound; This release is more polished and radio ready than the others, and the songwriting is more direct. The band released ''Poor Little Critter In The Road'' in (of The Blasters ) and Johnny Ray Bartel (of The Red Devils) on Double Bass . The Knitters were devoted to Folk and Country Music ; their take of Merle Haggard 's "Silver Wings" "may be the definitive version." {Link without Title} Zoom left the group in 1986, the year in which the feature-length documentary film, ''X: The Unheard Music'' was released. 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 even further from their punk origins, yet still maintaining a punchy, energetic Hard Rock sound. After touring for the album, X went on an extended hiatus. Both Doe and Cervenka 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 . He was a regular cast member of the television series '' Roswell '' on WB Television Network and UPN . X regrouped in the early in 2005 , as was the concert DVD ''X: Live In Los Angeles'', which commemorates the 25th anniversary of the band’s landmark debut album, ''Los Angeles.'' DISCOGRAPHY # '' Los Angeles '' (1980) # '' Wild Gift '' (1981) # '' Under The Big Black Sun '' (1982) # '' More Fun In The New World '' (1983) # '' Ain't Love Grand! '' (1985) # '' See How We Are '' (1987) # '' Live At The Whiskey A Go-Go '' (1988 - Live) # '' Hey Zeus! '' (1993) # '' Unclogged '' (1995 - Live) # '''' (1997) # '''' (2005) FILMOGRAPHY # '' The Decline Of Western Civilization '' ( 1981 ) # '''' ( 1986 ) # '' X - Live In Los Angeles '' ( 2005 ) SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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