-X- Tickets

They really rocked the place. Great guitar play, great show.

This was a monumental X show, especially considering they have been rocking it hard for the past 30+ years. This particular show proved that, not only did they write some of the most crucial and abiding songs of their era, but that they still are able to play with an exuberance far greater and more satisfying than any young new band I have seen in recent memory. I felt like a teenager again for the first time in years! The Bowery was a perfect venue also... The Roseland shows of the past couple of years pale in comparison to the energy and fire of these. Do yourself a favor and see them before they say "enough"... Long Live X!!

I use to see X in east Los Angeles in 1979 at Self-Help Graphic's before the first album release and fallowed them for the next four album. 30 years later... Still the best group ever!

Friday night’s show was a great lead-in to June, which is going to be an action-packed filled month of favorites and new bands in some of my favorite venues like the Bowery Ballroom. Earlier this year rtb, violaleeblue, and I saw John Doe and Exene perform as an acoustic duo at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. In addition to their excellent choice in opening act (it was when we were introduced to Justin Townes Earle) we were blown away by their harmonies, stage presence, and their mix of traditional songs and their own old and new songs. Just as I was nervous about introducing rtb and violaleeblue to John Doe and Exene, I was even more nervous about introducing them to X – after 31 years this Los Angeles punk band still performs with the original lineup and, even though their version of punk is not as extreme as some of their contemporaries, it’s still punk. But I needn’t have worried. Their harmonies and stage presence still blow me away and they proved again why they are not only one of the most influential bands to come out of that era but that they sound as new now as they did then. Opening act Steve Soto and the Twisted Hearts is one of those bands made up of musicians from several influential if not famous bands - Steve Soto, vocals/guitar (The Adolescents, Agent Orange, 22 Jacks, Manic Hispanic); James Achor, guitar (Royal Crown Revue); Veikko Lepisto, bass (Royal Crown Revue); and Jose Medeles, drums (The Breeders, Face to Face, 22 Jacks). Soto, from the punk band Agent Orange, and Achor, from swing band Royal Crown Revue, have formed a band that is quintessential southern California rock – Eagles meets Go-Gos. You’ve got the Nashville guitar and the power drums. Soto is a big man with a sweet voice but the entire time I was listening to them I kept thinking I’ve heard this before. So even though there is nothing wrong with the music there is nothing exciting or innovative either. X is one of those acts that is really difficult to write about. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? They’ve been around for 31 years. They are one of the best live rock acts. Although they are considered a punk band (coming out of the LA punk scene in1977) their music is melodic and contains traces of American roots music, folk, blues, and rockabilly. They are hard rock and they are country. Their lyrics are poetic. Their influence is still heard today in bands like Green Day. X is Exene Cervenka (vocals), John Doe (bass, vocals), Billy Zoom (guitar), and DJ Bonebrake (drums). Exene’s and Doe’s harmonies are as beautiful today as they were 30 years ago. And she still keeps fighting to hear herself above the band. Zoom still plays guitar in his punk rock stance. A small mosh pit formed and kept growing until it took up the entire area near the stage. This was the first night of a three-night sold out stint at the Bowery. The songs they played were selected by their fans via their website. Doe said that we all voted for slow ballads and then they played another fast rocker. Exene and Doe did perform one acoustic song (“I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts”) during one of the three encores but most of the evening was hard driving melodic rockabilly hard rock.

X burned up the stage. Sounded as good as they did 20 years ago -- very tight, fast and fun. Exene seemed to take a little while to warm up, but once she did, she was great and the last half of the show was excellent. Only thing I was disappointed about was that they didn't play See How We Are. Really fun show overall.

Upon the show's opening, I discovered that the playlist was derived form an on-line poll, reminiscent, at least for me, of the The live Minutemen album, "Ballot Result". I thought this made for a great show format, especially for a tour not in support of a new album, challenging the band with an objectivity that discouraged complacency. They played the hell out of those songs: John Doe had a look on his face that said, playing this music this hard at this age is killing me. Billy Zoom sported the same goofy smile on stage as 25 years ago, & also demonstrated why it is a good idea, if you bleach your hair, to have started doing so at age 19. X still rocks punk!