12A: X
The punk-rock band X was formed in Los Angeles in 1977. Its members have some of the coolest names in rock ‘n roll: Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake.
Here’s a short interview with John Doe about how he discovered music as a kid. (Warning: Two instances of PG-rated language.)
X was one of the first punk bands to be influenced by rockabilly. (Question 1 — What two words do you think “rockabilly” comes from? The answer is at the bottom.) Think of rockabilly as country music, greasy hair, motorcycle boots, and hot rods. Below is an example of modern-day rockabilly. The stand-up bass and single snare drum are typical in this type of music.
Now, see if you can hear the rockabilly influence in X’s “The Hungry Wolf.”
One of X’s most distinctive sounds is John and Exene’s slightly off-kilter harmonies. Here’s a short video about the 40th anniversary of their album Los Angeles. Check out those harmonies — and Billy Zoom’s rockabilly guitar at 1:30.
In 1985, Exene and John formed another band called the Knitters, which played classic country songs. Here they are singing “Long Chain On.”
In April 2020, X surprised everybody when all members of the original band re-formed to record a new album. It sounds just as fresh as their songs from 40 years ago. Check out this cool song and video.
When they’re not performing together, John Doe is an author and actor; Exene is a poet and mixed-media artist; D.J. Bonebrake plays drums in a jazz band and an Afro-Cuban band; and Billy Zoom owns a guitar shop.
(Answer to the above question: “Rockabilly” comes from the words “rock” and “hillbilly.” Carl Perkins, who played with Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, was an early pioneer.)