X Preview – at the House of Blues on The Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, CA on December 15 and at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA December 17, 2010

For those in the Los Angeles and Orange County area during the holiday season it means that X will be playing some shows and this year is no different. Over the years that this band has been around, they have remained a staple in any enlightened music fan's collection of music, and seeing them perform live every year has become an unbroken holiday tradition. With the busy schedules the members of the band hold, nailing them down for an interview can be hard. John Doe and Exene took a break so we could do this hit and run interview with them

What was it like during the emerging Punk rock scene of the late 70's leading into the 80's?
John Doe: It's impossible to answer without writing a book since so many elements of the political, fashion, celebrity, cultural world were substantially different then. An example, on Hollywood Blvd. people would yell "FAG" or throw something from their cars, if you wore a leather motorcycle jacket or had dyed blonde, colored or spiky hair.

Did you ever think that your unique sound and style of Punk would stand the test of time and prove to be so timeless?
John Doe: We had no idea that it would last this long nor did anyone really care if it only lasted for the next six months.
Exene: Of course!  most artists think that may happen. That’s why they are artists, and a few don't care if it happens or not, but still you daydream.

How did The Door's keyboard player Ray Manzarek get involved with the production of your debut album "Los Angeles"?
John Doe: He saw us play at the Whisky au Go-Go and was struck by the songs and the connection we had with our audience.

Unlike most early Punk rock bands in the LA scene, X has generated success with the mainstream audience. What are your feelings towards this?
John Doe: It's very debatable whether we achieved mainstream success and I would say that's a revisionist view.
Exene: We did not. We were on Bandstand and Letterman, but never Saturday Night Live. We had critical acclaim but no radio airplay.



In your opinion, what is a signature quality that as a band you insure gets put into each and every song lyrically and musically?
John Doe: It's difficult to understand what exactly you are asking.....
Exene: I don't really have that criteria.

The Song "Los Angeles" is probably the band's most popular and renowned songs. Was "Los Angeles" based on a true story or based off someone you knew personally?
Exene: True all the way through. John wrote it, I didn't contribute much to that song. I think I just said cool when he played it for me.

When albums "Los Angeles" and "Wild Gift" made Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 greatest albums of all time, how did the band feel?
John Doe: Of course we felt flattered, but Rolling Stone never truly embraced the band when we were active.
Exene: It was great.

Most bands that host boyfriend/girlfriend combinations end up with messy breakups that lead to ten million songs about the relationship and the break up (No Doubt for example). How did the band manage to succeed together and stay together after all these years, despite your initial relationship?
John Doe: We were friends before we were married and decided that it was better to be friends.
Exene: I don’t know…

Is it true X received an official Certificate of Recognition from the city of Los Angeles?
Exene: It’s always good to be recognized by your hometown.

What are the band's main influences?
John Doe: Good music and not bad music
Exene: Way too many. Anything with soul.

The majority of the band's lyrics are very poetic and full of literary devices. What are some of the band's literary influences?
Exene: John Fante, Eudora Welty, Charles Bukowski, Flannery O'Connor……

What bands or artists today would you say have the most insightful lyrics and/or most prominent music?
Exene: I like PINK a lot, especially her videos. Frank Fairfield out of LA, he plays traditional unlike anything I’ve ever seen on this earth. I hear, Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship is awesome, they are from New Orleans and I hope to see them play soon.

X  has two upcoming shows in southern California at The House of Blues, one in Los Angeles and one in Orange County and it seems that X  fans can usually expect every year to see you play during the holiday season ... is there a reason the band chooses to play this time of the year?
John Doe: We hold Xmas very dear to our hearts.
Exene: It just became a tradition with our audience.

Having played all over the world, what is that one thing you notice about the fans in southern California that is so very different from fans in other parts of the world?
Exene: There's a palpable feeling I get sometimes that the people at the show feel a certain affection and pride. It's like being a team or a gang, only not as lucrative.

What are the band's current plans for the future?
We never made plans before, don't know why we'd start now.

Band Website: www.xtheband.com

Here are two shows not to miss!
Wedneday - December 15, 2010  at the House of Blues on The Sunset Strip in Los Angeles
Friday - December 17, 2010  at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA

-Stephanie M.-
Big Wheel Senior Staff Reporter

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