*looks around impatiently for Dan Perry*
― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 15 January 2003 22:53 (twenty-one years ago) link
I love X, one of the best L.A. bands ever.
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 15 January 2003 23:29 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 January 2003 23:33 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Sean (Sean), Thursday, 16 January 2003 00:21 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 16 January 2003 00:46 (twenty-one years ago) link
I, too, have seen X many times and enjoyed every minute of their shows. It's good to see that they've gotten back together, though i have to confess that i've not seen 'em since 1987 and haven't heard any of their new material (assuming they have some.) Personally, i think they peaked with _Los Angeles_/_Wild Gift_, but continued to put out great albums up to and including _See How We Are_, though there was a lot of change over that time period.
-Matt, who still thinks that Billy Zoom is one of the coolest guitarists on the planet.
― Matt Maxwell (Matt M.), Thursday, 16 January 2003 01:36 (twenty-one years ago) link
He'll be disappointed to hear that.
― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 16 January 2003 01:40 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 16 January 2003 02:01 (twenty-one years ago) link
― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Thursday, 16 January 2003 02:50 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Thursday, 16 January 2003 03:17 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 16 January 2003 03:41 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Thursday, 16 January 2003 03:43 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Jim M (jmcgaw), Thursday, 16 January 2003 13:14 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:37 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 16 January 2003 18:52 (twenty-one years ago) link
Otherwise John Doe with Ad-Rock in Roadside Prophets is best non-Alex Cox Alex Cox movie.
― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Thursday, 16 January 2003 18:58 (twenty-one years ago) link
Wild Gift is the only album I kept, btw.
― Paula G., Thursday, 16 January 2003 19:12 (twenty-one years ago) link
both of their albums are again available stateside.
― mosurock (mosurock), Thursday, 16 January 2003 19:34 (twenty-one years ago) link
― ron (ron), Thursday, 16 January 2003 20:57 (twenty-one years ago) link
― ron (ron), Thursday, 16 January 2003 20:59 (twenty-one years ago) link
My unconditional love for X is well documented. I've probably seem them at least a dozen times over the years.
― Chris Barrus (xibalba), Thursday, 16 January 2003 23:24 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Arthur (Arthur), Friday, 17 January 2003 04:22 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 17 January 2003 06:17 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Arthur (Arthur), Friday, 17 January 2003 15:21 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Sean (Sean), Friday, 17 January 2003 15:57 (twenty-one years ago) link
OK, I don't really hate them, they have a couple of classic songs. It's more their attitude and their place in the Hilburnesque LA Rock Pantheon. They're my #1 "I Just Don't Get It" band.
― Arthur (Arthur), Friday, 17 January 2003 16:16 (twenty-one years ago) link
A lot of their songs really bounce and roll along quite nicely. Great hooks for a band that fell outside the circle of commerical success.
― Rockist Scientist, Friday, 17 January 2003 17:03 (twenty-one years ago) link
Have to say, I agree with Arthur on that.....I hate that shit too.
Still, Billy Zoom is one damn cool motherfucker.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 17 January 2003 17:14 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Pete Scholtes, Saturday, 18 January 2003 05:33 (twenty-one years ago) link
― James Blount, Saturday, 18 January 2003 05:42 (twenty-one years ago) link
― ron (ron), Saturday, 18 January 2003 07:24 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Saturday, 18 January 2003 07:27 (twenty-one years ago) link
― ron (ron), Saturday, 18 January 2003 07:29 (twenty-one years ago) link
― ron (ron), Saturday, 18 January 2003 07:30 (twenty-one years ago) link
― ron (ron), Saturday, 18 January 2003 07:31 (twenty-one years ago) link
;^p
― James Blount, Saturday, 18 January 2003 07:41 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Saturday, 18 January 2003 07:46 (twenty-one years ago) link
Ugh...I sure didn't remember Ain't Love Grand being quite this "1985," if you know what I mean. Weird that "Love Shack" is a completely different song than the one The B-52's recorded 4 years later, but still sounds like a B-52's song.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 15 December 2008 09:23 (fifteen years ago) link
It's recorded two years later than Ain't Love Grand, but, wow, "4th of July" is such a great song (it graced a "Sopranos" episode a couple of years ago too).
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 15 December 2008 13:25 (fifteen years ago) link
The demo version of 4th Of July from the 2cd Beyond and Back comp is even better. A little less slick and eighties-afied.
― kornrulez6969, Monday, 15 December 2008 17:28 (fifteen years ago) link
Ha! I was listening to "Los Angeles" the other day and was struck by how much it reminded me of the B-52s. Not sure if that's a good thing...
Still, I enjoy X in small doses, but have never loved them. I'd like to see what they are like in concert because I've heard nothing but good things. Maybe another reunion tour will happen.
― Moodles, Monday, 15 December 2008 18:03 (fifteen years ago) link
When the fuck is ATP gonna invite them to do Los Angeles in its entirety, as I've been dreaming about for some reason
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Monday, 15 December 2008 19:46 (fifteen years ago) link
the B-52s were a big obnoxious convertible jalopy tootin down a dirty back road, and x were some kind of erratic used datsun swerving dangerously, going slow in the fast lane and fast in the slow
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 15 December 2008 20:07 (fifteen years ago) link
Exene's new solo material is great!
― Someone Still Loves You Evan and Jaron (Tape Store), Monday, 15 December 2008 21:04 (fifteen years ago) link
For some reason I always assumed I wouldn't like this band. Turns out I was wrong.
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 22 May 2009 15:07 (fourteen years ago) link
what album are you listening to?
― Bud Huxtable (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 22 May 2009 15:08 (fourteen years ago) link
They should have had a better career than they did. But Wild Gift is an alltime great record.
I wish they stayed together and did more roots rock like 4th of July.
― kornrulez6969, Friday, 22 May 2009 15:18 (fourteen years ago) link
"More Fun in the New World" right now, also recently dl'ed "Los Angeles." I guess I had kind of mixed them up in my head with the Cramps and so thought they were kitschier/jokier and more rockabilly than they actually are.
― congratulations (n/a), Friday, 22 May 2009 15:19 (fourteen years ago) link
The movie "X: The Unheard Music" is great at capturing both the band and the early-mid 80s world that produced them. I knew Zoom had played with Gene Vincent, but I didn't know Bonebreak could tap out Lionel Hampton riffs on the vibes.
― bendy, Friday, 22 May 2009 15:24 (fourteen years ago) link
I watched this recently and enjoyed it a lot, although I wish there were more extensive live clips.
I like how committed they were (are?) to their personal brands - they were truly living the rockabilly life.
One thing I was wondering about when watching this: was the character of Izzy from the Love & Rockets comics inspired by Exene? Definitely some very strong resemblances both in looks and personality.
― Moodles, Friday, 22 May 2009 15:51 (fourteen years ago) link
all these posts are otm
― ivy., Wednesday, 2 August 2023 18:54 (nine months ago) link
i got into them because i wanted to impress a crush who was obsessed with "the world's a mess; it's in my kiss" and the moment i heard it and the rest of los angeles i knew i had no chance because i could never ever be as cool as x
― ivy., Wednesday, 2 August 2023 18:55 (nine months ago) link
that sounds self-deprecating but i don't intend it as such! x were just the coolest band ever
― ivy., Wednesday, 2 August 2023 18:56 (nine months ago) link
i first heard them on a mix cd Mr Veg made me before we were married when I was still in Australia … i’d never heard them before & was like WHOA what is thisand then we listened to the Live at the Whisky CD on our first road trip from Sacramento to Vegas still to my ears New World sounds SO theillingly american in the best possible ways - musically, lyrically, stylistically, vibes - everything
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 2 August 2023 19:04 (nine months ago) link
boosting the love, they really are magic when they hit just right
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Wednesday, 2 August 2023 19:38 (nine months ago) link
but what about the minutemen, flesh eaters, DOA, big boys, and the black flag?
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 2 August 2023 23:25 (nine months ago) link
those are other good bands that have their own threads
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 2 August 2023 23:27 (nine months ago) link
ding ding ding
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 2 August 2023 23:31 (nine months ago) link
Also a lot of related Wild Wild West action incl. beyond what's mentioned in title:
TS: Lone Justice or Cruzados or Drivin' & Cryin' or Green On Red or Del Fuegos or Jason & The Scorchers or Long Ryders or Bodeans?
― dow, Wednesday, 2 August 2023 23:34 (nine months ago) link
also pertaining Dave Alvin C or D
― dow, Wednesday, 2 August 2023 23:36 (nine months ago) link
xps
2:58https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iypAEijnq5A
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 2 August 2023 23:56 (nine months ago) link
lol I love all those bands but yes
yeah something uniquely magical about them
YES. even their bad albums are not awful. Alphabetland is way better than pretty much any reformed punk bands' album. Not including Anthrax (UK) because they rule.
― Colonel Poo, Thursday, 3 August 2023 00:43 (nine months ago) link
Yeah was really pleasantly surprised by Alphabetland, really great!
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 August 2023 00:44 (nine months ago) link
I saw them in Florida in ‘87 on that ‘Live at the Whisky’ tour. It was a free outdoor show. I remember that Exene was pregnant and wore a potato sack dress.
― Josefa, Thursday, 3 August 2023 00:53 (nine months ago) link
are you guys fucking serious
― budo jeru, Thursday, 3 August 2023 01:16 (nine months ago) link
A lotta folks didn't see what you did up there.
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 3 August 2023 01:23 (nine months ago) link
lol. in my/our defense those bands get brought up a lot in relation.
am sulking now
― Colonel Poo, Thursday, 3 August 2023 01:26 (nine months ago) link
I see that Sunset Strip isn't up on Spotify, so that means it's the next one they're reclaiming the rights to. They now own all of the Slash & Elektra studio albums and also the first Knitters set.
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 3 August 2023 01:29 (nine months ago) link
lol budo
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Thursday, 3 August 2023 01:29 (nine months ago) link
The rockism in that song though. Even back then it made me wince.
― Josefa, Thursday, 3 August 2023 01:40 (nine months ago) link
Yep
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 9 August 2023 14:20 (nine months ago) link
can you explain what you mean?
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 9 August 2023 15:00 (nine months ago) link
"glitter disco synthesizer night schoolall this noble savage drum drum drum"
would be my guess, also "b-e-e-t-s not b-e-a-t-s"
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 15:01 (nine months ago) link
(I love this song, to be clear, Exene went on a rant about rock star "whores of Babylon" when I saw them do this live a few years back)
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 15:02 (nine months ago) link
those are definitely lyrics from the song. to me they don't seem to be saying "rock is the best kind of music"
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 9 August 2023 15:03 (nine months ago) link
my take is that it's more about the simmering resentment they have re: the new Brit bands, it's low key but def there
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 15:06 (nine months ago) link
"Will the last American band to get played on the radio please bring the flag" — yeah, pretty low key, easy to overlook...
― but also fuck you (unperson), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 15:24 (nine months ago) link
There's certainly a thread of complaint though the career of X (and to some extent the Ramones) of "why aren't we one of the biggest bands?" I do recall the press push working the "discovered by Ray Manzarek, they are the new Doors" angle hard. That message got to me, even as a kid who just listened to AOR at that point, not really interested any anything outside of Beatles/Who/AC-DC/Cars etc. But to my kid ears, they were impossibly uncanny looking on TV - not skinny tie cool, not rough and tumble hard rock, and not young for a new band! Billy Zoom shoulda hid behind sunglasses like Ocasek. And they did not sound like The Doors at all. I could sense the were talking about older person things, so wordy. "Lunatic Fringe": now there's a haircut you can set your watch to. I resented stuff like X even being pushed on me. I was still trying to distinguish Billy Squire from Led Zeppelin.
Of course, I loved 'em after I got into punk. But even that took a little while. I've long thought that in their peak era, the problem was that they read as too old for the young and too new for the old.
― Terrycoth Baphomet (bendy), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 19:14 (nine months ago) link
And too punk for the rockers and not punk enough for the punks.
― nickn, Wednesday, 9 August 2023 20:04 (nine months ago) link
And right after they gripe about synthesizers, their next album leads with a single - "Burning House of Love" - that has conspicuous synthesizer on it. (It probably would've been better without.) This move did get them on AOR radio for a minute, though still no big hit. The Ramones did the same thing just before on their Too Tough to Die album - also no hit. I was rooting for both those bands, but I agree both of them projected a certain chippiness.
― Josefa, Wednesday, 9 August 2023 20:06 (nine months ago) link
where did they gripe about synthesizers??
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 9 August 2023 20:28 (nine months ago) link
I just quoted it! That line is absolutely intended in a disparaging way
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 20:30 (nine months ago) link
idk i think that's a stiflingly narrow reading of that passage
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 9 August 2023 20:34 (nine months ago) link
literally two lines after complaining that there are no American bands on the radio, but ok
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 20:53 (nine months ago) link
and "night school" is not a compliment
bodu jeru – how do you read it?
― Nonhuman biologics enthusiast (morrisp), Wednesday, 9 August 2023 20:58 (nine months ago) link
i wouldn't say i have a reading necessarily. i'm not really a lyrics person, but i do bristle when people make bold proclamations about what lyrics must mean. in this instance, it just seems plausible to me that they're being ironic, or that the narrator is a character or a semi-real avatar of the band and they are venting their "bad thoughts," you know? i just wouldn't take it as a given that the official band line is that synthesizer music is somehow not as important or real as punk rock
― budo jeru, Thursday, 10 August 2023 01:47 (nine months ago) link
(I saw what you xxxxpost did budo, just didn't want to laugh---friends warehouse their pain.)
― dow, Thursday, 10 August 2023 02:09 (nine months ago) link
haha, yes. and now look what i've gotten myself into
― budo jeru, Thursday, 10 August 2023 02:12 (nine months ago) link
I mean it could be “in character” (there’s a pretty famous example of the same band doing that, but the distancing is made somewhat clear in that case), but then it’s the character’s rockism making folks wince…
― Nonhuman biologics enthusiast (morrisp), Thursday, 10 August 2023 02:26 (nine months ago) link
one of many possible readings, but yeah -- i guess at the end of the day, if that's what you and others here, i won't argue about it.
― budo jeru, Thursday, 10 August 2023 02:37 (nine months ago) link
hear*
Possible hot take: I was let down when I heard the studio version of "Nausea" the first time because I was introduced to the track through Decline of Western Civilization and that live crunch - but more importantly, the lack of Ray Manzarek's insufferable key bleats - was way more potent to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2xehSjrzVs
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Thursday, 10 August 2023 04:29 (nine months ago) link