Song:Hungry Wolf
Album:Best Of: Make The Music Go Bang
X were a pioneer of punk music especially in Los Angeles. But they never had the commercial success that other bands achieved in the 80s. I would describe them as a major cult band. Singer and bassist John Doe (real name: John Nommensen Duchac) grew up in Baltimore and moved to Los Angeles in 1976. He met guitarist Billy Zoom (real name: Ty Kindell) through a newspaper ad and they decided to form a band. Doe brought his poet girlfriend Exene Cervenka to band practice and she joined the band. They went through a few drummers before settling on DJ Bonebrake. In 1979, X released a couple of singles on the Dangerhouse label and this led to a deal with Slash Records in 1980. They released two highly acclaimed albums on Slash and then signed with Elektra. Former The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek produced their albums. The 1982 album Under the Big Black Sun was their biggest success to date and included Hungry Wolf. Though they continued to be critically acclaimed and got their videos played on MTV, X never got that big commercial breakthrough. Attempts on later albums to produce a more commercial sound didn't work. All it did was alienate their established fanbase. Zoom left in 1986 and was replaced by Dave Alvin of The Blasters. Then Alvin was replaced by Tony Gilkyson. X split up in 1988. This 2CD comp is the only one in print at this time. John Doe had already started a career in acting which he still does today. He also released solo albums and so did Exena Cervenka. X reunited a couple of times. but that became permanent in 2009 and they are on tour now. Certainly X are a must for punk fans. Here's the video for Hungry Wolf by X.
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