X on the cover of their 1997 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. Cover of 1997 X collection Beyond and Back: The X Anthology, taken from Amazon. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Nickname: City of Angels Official website: http://www. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Los Angeles was the 1980 debut album by X. It was #286 on the List of Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. ...

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. X on the cover of their 1997 collection Beyond and Back: The X Anthology, with Exene in the center foreground Exene Cervenka (born February 1, 1956 in Florida), is best known as vocalist and original member of punk rock band X. She has also performed and recorded solo doing spoken... John Doe, (born John Nommensen Duchac on February 25, 1954), is the founder of the seminal L.A. punk band X. His musical compositions and performances are varied, including country and folk music. ... X on the cover of their 1997 collection Beyond and Back: The X Anthology, with DJ on the right DJ Bonebrake is best known as drummer and original member of punk rock band X. He has also performed with The Flesheaters, another early L.A. punk band, over the years. ... X on the cover of their 1997 collection Beyond and Back: The X Anthology, with Billy on the center left Billy Zoom (born Tyson Kindell on February 20, 1948), in Savanna, IL. The son of a Big Band woodwinds player, he inherited his fathers love of music. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

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."[1] Country music, also called country and western music or country-western, is an amalgam of popular musical forms developed in the Southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, Celtic Music, Blues, Gospel music, and Old-time music. ... The blues is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on a pentatonic scale and a characteristic twelve-bar chord progression. ...

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, artsy and ambitious to simply spew" in typical punk fashion.[2] Venus de Milo exhibited in the Louvre museum, France. ...

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. Image File history File links Xlosangeles5hx. ... The Doors, Legacy (Clockwise from top right): Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek The Doors (formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California) was a popular and influential American rock band. ... Raymond Daniel Manzarek (born Raymond Daniel Manczarek to Helena and Raymond on February 12, 1939 in Chicago). ... 1950s Rockabilly book by Harlan Ellison Rockabilly is the earliest form of rock and roll as a distinct style of music. ... Close harmony is an arrangement of the notes of chords within a narrow range, typically one octave. ... Poetry (from Ancient Greek: (poiéo/poió) = I create) is traditionally a written art form (although there is also an ancient and modern poetry which relies mainly upon oral or pictorial representations) in which human language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to, or instead of, its notional... Charles Bukowski (August 16, 1920 – March 9, 1994), was a Los Angeles poet and novelist. ... Raymond Chandler Raymond Thornton Chandler (July 23, 1888 – March 26, 1959) was an American author of crime stories and novels. ...

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. 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wild Gift was a 1981 album by X (US band). ... The Rolling Stone logo, designed by Rick Griffin. ... The Los Angeles Times (also L.A. Times) is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California and distributed throughout the Western United States. ... The New York Times is a newspaper published in New York City by Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. ... The Village Voice is a New York City-based weekly newspaper featuring investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts reviews and events listings for New York City. ... Slash Records is a record label started in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los angles-based fanzine, Slash. ...

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. Elektra Records was a record label started in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickholt, who both invested $300. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Under the Big Black Sun is an album by the band X, released in 1982 (see 1982 in music). ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... More Fun in the New World is an album by the band X, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). ...

The band released Poor Little Critter In The Road in 1985, credited to The Knitters: X minus Zoom, plus Dave Alvin (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."[3] This article is about the year. ... The Knitters are a Los Angeles based band that play country and folk music. ... Dave Alvin (born November 11, 1955, in Downey, California, USA) is a Country/Rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. ... The Blasters are a rock music group formed in 1979 in Downey, California by brothers Phil Alvin (vocals and guitar) and Dave Alvin (guitar), with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman. ... Side and front views of a modern double bass with a French bow. ... Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and of the common people. ... Country music, also called country and western music or country-western, is an amalgam of popular musical forms developed in the Southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, Celtic Music, Blues, Gospel music, and Old-time music. ... Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 in Bakersfield, California) is an American country music singer, guitarist, and songwriter. ...

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. Guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer Maria McKee, half-sister of Loves Bryan MacLean, formed Lone Justice in 1982. ... Hard rock is a form of rock and roll music which finds its closest roots in early 1960s garage rock and in Jimi Hendrixs psychedelic rock. ...

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. Oliver Stone William Oliver Stone (born September 15, 1946), known simply as Oliver Stone, is an Academy Award-winning American film director. ... Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American rock and roll and country music singer, songwriter, and pianist, as well as an early pioneer of rock and roll music. ... Great Balls of Fire is a 1957 song by written by Otis Blackwell and sung by Jerry Lee Lewis. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... The Good Girl is a film from Chuck & Buck director Miguel Arteta and Chuck & Buck writer and star Mike White, produced by Matthew Greenfield and released by 20th Century Foxs Fox Searchlight Pictures division. ... Paul Thomas Anderson at Cannes 2002 Paul Thomas Anderson (born June 26, 1970 in Studio City, California, USA) is an American filmmaker. ... Boogie Nights is a 1997 film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. ... Beastie Boys; from left to right, Ad-Rock, Mike D, MCA. The Beastie Boys is an American alternative hip hop music group from New York City: Brooklyn and Manhattan. ... Adam Horovitz, a. ... Roswell was a sci-fi series created by Jason Katims. ... The WB Television Network, casually referred to as The WB, or sometimes as The Frog (referring to the networks former mascot, the animated character Michigan J. Frog), is a television network in the United States, founded as a joint venture between the Warner Bros. ... UPN (which originally stood for the United Paramount Network) is a television network in the United States, owned by CBS Corporation, which also owns the more widespread CBS network. ...

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 Zoom once again on guitar. X: The Unheard Music was released on DVD 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. The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... The official DVD logo. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Discography

1. Los Angeles (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)

Los Angeles was the 1980 debut album by X. It was #286 on the List of Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. ... Wild Gift was a 1981 album by X (US band). ... Under the Big Black Sun is an album by the band X, released in 1982 (see 1982 in music). ... More Fun in the New World is an album by the band X, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). ... Aint Love Grand! is an album by X, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music). ... See How We Are is an album by X, released in 1987 (see 1987 in music). ... Live at the Whiskey a Go-Go is a live album by the band X, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). ...

Filmography

1. The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
2. X: The Unheard Music (1986)
3. X - Live In Los Angeles (2005)

The Decline of Western Civilization is a rockumentary film directed by Penelope Spheeris about the Los Angeles punk rock scene in 1979 and 1980. ... // Events January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. ... // Events April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Gos Belinda Carlisle Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver. ... This is a list of film-related events in 2005. ...

External links

• X - the band - official website
• X Lyrics