X (music group)
X is a punk rock band that emerged from the Los Angeles music scene in the late 1970s and remained active into the 1990s, making a significant impact on the genre. Founded by vocalist and bassist John Doe, vocalist Exene Cervenka, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer D.J. Bonebrake, the band showcased their unique sound through albums like *Los Angeles* (1980), *Wild Gift* (1981), and *Under the Big Black Sun* (1982). These records received critical acclaim and included notable tracks such as "Johnny Hit and Run Paulene" and "The Hungry Wolf." Despite their success in Los Angeles, X struggled to gain widespread recognition outside the region.
The band underwent multiple breakups and reunions over the years, with lineup changes that included collaborations with guitarists Tony Gilkyson and Dave Alvin. In 2024, X plans to release a final album titled *Smoke & Fiction* accompanied by a farewell tour. Throughout their career, X has been regarded as an influential figure in punk rock, known for their raw sound and lyrical storytelling, reflecting both personal and societal themes.
X (music group)
X is a punk rock band that was active primarily in Los Angeles, California, from the late 1970s to the 1990s. The band's founding members were vocalist, bassist, and songwriter John Doe, vocalist Exene Cervenka, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer D.J. Bonebrake. Guitarist Tony Gilkyson spent some time with X, as did guitarist Dave Alvin. Several of X's albums, including Los Angeles (1980), Wild Gift (1981), and Under the Big Black Sun (1982), were well received by critics and helped establish the group as a significant punk rock band, especially in Los Angeles. Notable songs from these albums include "Johnny Hit and Run Paulene," "Los Angeles," "We're Desperate," "Adult Books," "Riding with Mary," and "Come Back to Me." After several breakups and reunions, the band announced a final album, Smoke & Fiction, and farewell tour in 2024.
Background
John Doe and Billy Zoom formed X in 1977 in Los Angeles, California. The previous year, Doe had moved to Los Angeles from Baltimore, Maryland. Once in Los Angeles, Doe, who was born John Nommensen Duchac, met Exene Cervenka, who was born Christine Cervenkova. Cervenka had recently moved to Los Angeles from Tampa, Florida. Doe and Cervenka soon began dating. In Los Angeles, Doe also met Zoom, who was born Ty Kindell. Originally from Savannah, Illinois, Zoom had been playing music in Los Angeles for several years. Doe and Zoom began playing music together and eventually formed a band. Cervenka began rehearsing with the band, which called itself X. The band had numerous drummers before choosing D.J. Bonebrake as its permanent drummer. X quickly established itself on the Los Angeles punk rock scene.
In 1978, X released its debut single, "Adult Books" backed with "We're Desperate," on the Dangerhouse Records label. Soon afterward, "Los Angeles," another song by the band, appeared on Dangerhouse Records' Yes L.A. sampler LP.
In 1980, X released its first album, Los Angeles, on the Slash Records label. The band recorded the album with a budget of just $10,000. The album was produced by keyboardist Ray Manzarek of Doors fame. Prior to producing the album, Manzarek had taken notice of X and even had played with the band on several occasions. Featuring songs such as "Your Phone's Off the Hook, but You're Not," "Johnny Hit and Run Paulene," "Nausea," and the title track, the album sold more than fifty thousand copies and garnered critical acclaim. It helped X to become a significant punk rock band in Los Angeles. Many critics consider Los Angeles to be one of the best punk rock albums ever recorded.
Also in 1980, Doe and Cervenka married. The following year, X released the single "White Girl." That same year, the band cut its sophomore album, Wild Gift, also on Slash Records. As with Los Angeles, the album was produced by Manzarek. It includes the songs "We're Desperate," "Adult Books," "In This House That I Call Home," "White Girl," "Beyond and Back," and "Back 2 the Base." Wild Gift was well received by critics, and its sales were similar to those of Los Angeles. The album helped establish X as one of the top bands in any genre—not just punk rock—in Los Angeles. Following the album's release, X signed with the major label Elektra Records.
Continued Career
X's next album, Under the Big Black Sun, came out in 1982. Produced by Manzarek, the album features the songs "The Hungry Wolf," "Motel Room in My Bed," "Riding with Mary," "Come Back to Me," and the title track. Some critics hail Under the Big Black Sun as the best album that X recorded.
The album More Fun in the New World followed in 1983. Keeping up with the trend, the album was produced by Manzarek. Included on the album are the songs "The New World," "I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts," and "Devil Doll." Although the album helped X to stay atop the Los Angeles music scene, the band failed to gain a significant following outside Los Angeles.
In 1984, X recorded a cover of "Wild Thing," a song by the Troggs. Produced by Michael Wagener, the cover later appeared in the 1989 film Major League.
The following year, X cut its next album, Ain't Love Grand!, which was produced by Wagener. The album generated a hit with the song "Burning House of Love." Other notable songs on the album include "My Soul Cries Your Name" and "What's Wrong with Me." The album, however, was not well received by critics. Also in 1985, Zoom left the band, and Doe and Cervenka divorced. Around this time, Tony Gilkyson and Dave Alvin contributed guitar work to X.
The band then released the album See How We Are in 1987. The album was produced by Alvin Clark and includes songs such as "I'm Lost," "4th of July," "In the Time It Takes," and the title track. The album did little to help X, as album sales were poor. Following the album's release, Gilkyson became the band's lead guitarist.
In 1988, X released the live album Live at the Whiskey a Go-Go. The album showcases the band live in concert and features X classics such as "Los Angeles," "The New World," "Burning House of Love," "Riding with Mary," and "Johnny Hit and Run Paulene."
Also in 1988, soon after the release of Live at the Whiskey a Go-Go, X disbanded. The band reunited in 1993 to release the album Hey Zeus! Produced by Tony Berg, the album sounds little like an X album. One of the only songs on the album that resembles X is "Big Blue House." Interest in Hey Zeus! was minimal.
In 1995, X released the live album Unclogged and then broke up again. In 1998, the original lineup of X reunited, performing several shows in Los Angeles. Live in Los Angeles, a live CD and DVD, followed in 2005. X continued to perform throughout the 2000s and 2010s. In 2016, Doe, with author Tom DeSavia, published a memoir, Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk," which brings together both Doe's own recollections and stories from other punk musicians who got their start at around the same time as X.
X released the album X
Bibliography
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Grow, Kory. "X's John Doe on Early L.A. Punk, Why Green Day Deserve More Respect." Rolling Stone, 10 May 2016, www.rollingstone.com/music/news/xs-john-doe-on-early-l-a-punk-why-green-day-deserve-more-respect-20160510. Accessed 11 Octo. 2016.
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