X continues to be one of my all time favorite bands. I could fill a couple blog posts about them and what they have meant to me over time. Formed in 1977, X was the epitome of all I lusted after in LA punk and lifestyle. Though many great West Coast bands would come through New Mexico on their way East, it was X that I longed for and had punker daydreams of— an over-eyelined, slip-and-boot-kicking, night-tearing, cemetery-haunting, teenager wishing and scheming; "if ONLY I lived in LA." Their music was the soundtrack to my life for MANY years, especially during dark times and really great times. Like so many of their fans, I feel like their music was made for me, songs that describe my soul. A video of this song played just last year and full lyrics here plus song as heard on their first album, Los Angeles. Like many women of my generation I was unabashedly obsessed with Exene Cervenka. Her her writing, her activism, her jewelry! More links to check out: X in The Decline of Western Civilization. X played and was interviewed by Dick Clark on American Bandstand, 1982, in 1983, and again in 1985. I think they were Dick's darlings, watch how playful he was with them!
As what have to be one of the hardest working bands still out there, X still tours extensively (with all original members) and I've been lucky to see them still totally rock out in other cities and twice here in Petaluma the Blasters. Here is the X band website, check out their haunting new sound. Thank you X, for so very many years of great music!
I’ve chosen some favorite short phrases of punk song lyrics to flourishly illustrate these expressions that were of such importance to me and my generation. I’m calling the series #PunkLyric and offering them as free desktop calendar downloads each month. [see full explanation here]
Click image to download for your desktop and please enjoy… and, go discover some new/old music!
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Note: These cannot be used elsewhere or commercially. The artwork is mine and the lyrics are ownership of the original songwriters and bands. Artist and writer Emily McDowell explains the intellectual property copyright limitations for us really well right here.
