Exene Cervenka: Full Life Interview

In this oral history, Exene Cervenka discusses growing up in rural Illinois, going to Catholic school, and dropping out of high school at 16. Cervenka talks about death, grief, and having to shift her life plans to care for her family. She describes the process of moving to California and getting a job at the Beyond Baroque Center, where she met John Doe. Cervenka talks about the process of forming their band X with Billy Zoom, band dynamics, and how they were signed. She discusses the merit of success, if she has hope for the future, and the importance of making art. Cervenka talks openly about marriage, why the band dissolved, and how many women are treated in the medical system. The interview concludes with her thoughts on her role in rock history and the visibility of women in rock.
Exene Cervenka is a singer, poet, and artist best known for her work in her band X. She currently tours and performs with X and lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Exene Cervenka interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project
Filmed by Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein
Edited by Michael J. Epstein
#rock #punk #interview #music #history

[@davereed6651]

Total clarity. She isn't fooled on bit by present day society . Saw X back in '86.

[@derBuhne]

Exene is super interesting. Love to hear her talk.

[@stacyblue1980]

This is one of the best things I have ever seen & heard. I I adore Exene. Shes real. Shes not afraid to be real. And she still gets people thru our days. I would like to say more but the one thing I can say is- she means the world to so many people. I was not alone when I was a teenager because X taught me that I am just fine as I am. Im almost 40 now and I still dig who I am . From a weirdo to a grown up weirdo creative woman. ♥♥♥♥ I was not purposely trying to be anything but me,.. But that was ok. And then I discovered X. And I suddenly felt human.

[@jzen1455]

Sad how such people are completely demonized for being "far right" or "racist" or some other "-ist"

[@gregoryburton5317]

Wow! Exene has always been someone i loved to listen to, read about and admired. She is as real as they come. I'm standing up and applauding this interview.. her responses are so eloquently spoken and from the heart. She is a force to be reckoned with and has an amazing sense of humor ie; "I'm 62, things fall off and roll away, guess i don't need it anymore". She is Beautiful inside and out and has a Great heart. Thank you Exene for Being true to yourself and never letting anyone bring you down a path you yourself didn't want to go. I followed you and your writings, bands, and artwork for the last 40 years. I thank you for sharing yourself with the rest of us to enjoy. I absolutely love the part of the interview where you stated " you should see what I just saw"...meaning the audience...I have always had dreams where I was onstage looking out and seeing the people, all walks of life together celebrating each and every moment. I'm writing this with much Love and enormous amount of respect for you. what a great oral history.....Thank You!........And Sister Rosetta Tharpe.....do not get me started....She's Amazing!!

[@anthonyarmstrong14]

What a clear headed analysis of the current situation in America.Brilliant.

[@toshalazarus]

Saw X , and caught the drum stick , still have it ! Newport , Va 2006. Still have records from the 80’s , saw movie Decline of Western Civilization in local Kansas City movie theater. Refreshing to come across this interview, after all these years. In a band of my own, and of course Xene is a big inspiration, influence on us all.

[@MrDLOC11]

Finally a true look inside the real Exene, full of a point of view like no other. Fair, blunt, poetic, affectionate & honest, her compelling observations of a forgotten l.a. is fascinating & historically correct. God bless the great Exene Cervenka ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@eggzappa]

Thanks to both ladies for taking the time to document and post. Beautiful ideas and spirit.

[@buckmelanoma758]

Love her. Such an awesome person

[@costernocht]

Saw X play last weekend and they're just as good as they were 43 years ago. Exene was in great voice. Thank you for posting this.

[@SkeeterNYC]

Love Exene! She's sooooo insightful and on target.

[@catones2868]

Absolutely loved this interview with Exene. All 1 hr and 40 minutes of it. She’s such a beautiful person and she would have and still be/been an amazing swim suit model❤ had or if she pursued it simply because at her core, she’s so unique which is the most attractive trait any being could have. Thanks for this interview. I’ve loved X since the mid-80s when I first saw the Decline of Western Civilization documentary and to see Exene beyond her music was engaging from start to end.

[@frasercooper538]

Real deal. Truth, honesty and authenticity....Legend.

[@Gammarklar]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Exene has an amazing mind (and memory).

[@chrisfoster9942]

And she is a beautiful person I must add

[@gabbette999]

I heard Los Angeles (the song) in Feb of 1981 and that very same night I went to see X play at the Roxy. It was my first show and it changed my life, I wasn't the same girl & I thank gawd for that.

[@JulieWeissGardner]

Same here! Saw them last night at the OC Fair and got to bring my 16 year old son to see them.

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

Now there is a real punk rocker people. Not a statist bootlicker for big gov tyranny like most of them have become.

[@joeyh9619]

Yup

[@Crash.7434]

For real. I got into punk by listening to 70’s-80’s punk bands like the germs, the screamers, Sex Pistols and minor threat. Most of them seemed level headed and had actually good outlooks on stuff. Now if you aren’t a liberal you aren’t accepted in the “punk/hardcore” scene. It’s sad cause they don’t realize bands like Sex Pistols were more conservative. Nobody cares to know the roots of where it came from.

[@Crash.7434]

@TheRealZionOBriensays the dude that’s at least 30.

[@MagillSvenski]

God she's cool, I'm so impressed how red pilled and non "politically correct" she is. Refreshing to see there are still some free thinkers from the punk scene (few as they may be). Long live Exene!

[@frankpeter6851]

"Red-pilled" "Non-politically correct" "Free thinker" Sorry to say but, in considering an artists work, one has to factor in the kinds of people they attract.

[@SinewRending]

Silly.

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

@@frankpeter6851 and what kind of people would that be???

[@frankpeter6851]

@@bigmacfullerton7870 Fascists

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

@@frankpeter6851 So if we don’t believe everything the news and the dnc says we are fascists??? 😂 I guess that would make Exene a fascist too wouldn’t it?

[@RedBaronlives]

Great interview with basically the QUEEN of punk rock! Saw them play in 82 at the whiskey.... lifechanging a bit....

[@arturorobles4900]

Love Exeve...X is the greatest band

[@danalee1293]

Didn't think I could love her more than I do after seeing this. Haved loved them since the beginning and always will.

[@strumbley]

Great interview...very intelligent person.

[@patrickjohnmccollough7560]

Great interview. She speaks and truths that people would call conspiracy. I love her so much

[@joeyh9619]

Thank you for this excellent and inspiring interview ❤

[@Amberszone]

At 50 minutes wholly SHIT she ain’t kidding Kids!!! It’s 1 1/2 minutes of GENIUS!!!!! Xo damn!!!

[@n2cable]

WHen I heard "The Hungry Wolf" it blew my 13 year old mind. I could totally eat buttermilk pie and have coffee with this lady and feel some what complete

[@samuelblinne6040]

I love Exene

[@jimdrebitko8519]

loved the interview......had a couple close encounters with Exene backstage or on the street...was a big X fan back in the day and saw them live many times here on the east coast.......its been years....but still have all records/cds and still refer back to them periodically....they were and are unlike anything else.......big influence on me...........she still makes me laugh; I'm and old person now myself so I get it.....Rock on Exene

[@michaelroyalspencer]

Going to see them in Spokane in a couple weeks. Haven't been this exited about a show in a long time. Great interview. One of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time!

[@Amberszone]

At 1:40 minutes I could STILL listen to Exene ALL DAY & into the night!!! Xo

[@michelleholmes5251]

Thanks so much ❤ I’d never heard of Exene, but that’s was a great interview!

[@NP-yh6nf]

Love love Exene....❤

[@lorelei5902]

Thank you for doing these Women of Rock Oral Histories ❤ I'm going to see Exene and John Doe this Saturday, so excited to see them perform live.

[@smittysmat7826]

Man. Now I like her even more.

[@disintegrationnation9352]

The jazz bar was The Come Back Inn

[@jimcollier7869]

Very good. Excellent!

[@Delilah70]

Exene should have mentioned Poison Ivy Rorschach of the Cramps when the interviewer asked her about female contemporaries when X was on the scene. She wasn't the frontwoman of the band but damn she played the hell out of her Gretsch and gave the Cramps their signature psychobilly voodoo sound.

[@llywelyngruffydd8474]

Really enjoying these interviews. That riff in We're Desperate is one of my favorite riffs ever.

[@victoriasage8613]

Happy birthday, Exene!!! 💥🖤💥

[@sweetjane5033]

E end is a genius!! Very creative & a beautiful human being!!!

[@sweetjane5033]

I meant Exene. Love her!!!

[@jeffdawson2786]

Great interview. A lot of history here.

[@teatree578]

Excene up front n' personal. Beautiful soul💛

[@garyleesjukejoint9510]

Exene! 🔥🔥🔥❤❤❤ 🙂

[@JosephDuehaney]

Wonderful 😊 interview and awesome 💯.

[@williamrusbosin583]

She has my approval and when she and John lived on Genese I lived across the street from them and recently became reacquainted at a Palm Springs bus stop with Crystal who lived on the other half of the duplex. Peace and Love John and Exene and ' X " P A L

[@HisAssholiness]

well done

[@johnsavala8202]

Exene 🖤

[@lulumoon6942]

Sis is still keeping it real! 👀👍😎💪☠️🔥

[@bluegregory6239]

X is a Top-10 band in American history.

[@pommelhorsepommelhorse8731]

My mom lived in Mokena for years. If I had only known Miss Ex was from there...

[@auralepiphanies4055]

How about interviewing Jarboe of the Swans? One of my fav singers of our lifetime!

[@kevindeforest6157]

Amazingly candid.Thank you! Whose dog?

[@stacyblue1980]

Exene's dog. She has a dog. So what? This interview was done at her home in Orange County California.

[@lizcervenka383]

Third cousin to me very proud of her

[@sherileorna8450]

Annihilation decimation...Mars....planet destruction the order....I am glad I am old....I saw X on campus San Diego...1984-85.

[@Crash.7434]

I’m only 22 and wish I got to see the germs.

[@wanggang3885]

Who knew Exene was Los Angeles's premier critical thinker..

[@Lululila67]

Love Exene! we have matching dogs

[@MattDollMusic]

On Point xx

[@rayz1390]

“We’re all trying to act cool” “You probably do that a lot” 💀

[@123spleege]

If these guys don't interview Pat Benetar that would be a huge mistake. Great interview with Exene. I feel lucky to have seen them 3 times

[@irisenamorado]

Xena is still beautiful! ❤🙏

[@Amberszone]

I don’t know too much of the music, but of COURSE I know of HER, Miss Exene! Can’t believe there’s only 889 watches with Punk Royalty!!! I’ll be 🏄‍♀️ the music now, I LOVE this stuff of the real MEAT & 🦴’s of a person, Gr8 interview kids!!!! Xo

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

You should go listen to X. They are a great band

[@patrickhenry1030]

Exene is based AF.

[@denicerenee1970]

Wondering what she thinks of Sonic Youth and when/if they crossed paths

[@3340steve]

Start at 29:30 whenever you want...the first half hour is Exene bored describing her youth...after that, it gets really weird and X - like....fantastic history lesson about how the scene was....Exene and John meet Billy...she seems pained to describe some moments (how marriage is not compatible with being in a band) and at others her vibe is excited happiness...X was way way ahead of the curve....too bad radio was so uptight and wouldn't play their excellent music.

[@chrisfoster9942]

Her detractors have blue pilled themselves into conformity at best. She is wise and most importantly nails it like few others ever could.

[@patrickjohnmccollough7560]

Very true

[@MothGirl007]

She's delusional.

[@Mbea1991]

Viggo 💘

[@rubbermaid4699]

Yay E#Exene

[@jamesc7121]

Good thing i called in sick from work cuz I met them at Denny's in Point Loma San Diego. They were playing the night before at the observatory with the blasters and los lobos. Me & my childhood buddy saw them and it was a great show. They are so cool and down to earth. They signed my make the music go bang CD. I love this band.

[@1977sadhana]

I love how, after 4 years, and only 13K views, and a grand total of 88 Comments (as of 10/24/23) the NPC shreiking baby army still has followed orders and lodged their 2 or 3 shit - takes featuring an emphasis on divisiveness, while being sure to enlist words like "comrade". "Hey, whatcha doin' man? " -"I'm chopping up the hull to start a fire cause I'm a little cold, wanna join me, comrade?"

[@cliffcox7643]

She seems open, but slightly annoyed by the process.

[@stacyblue1980]

Probably nervous and iffy about certain subjects. Annoyed tho.. I doubt it.

[@tuezmoi]

This is actually one of her most friendly interviews. 😂

[@claudenobles779]

Where on wilshire did u2 rent? Bukowski, or a fan, created a website where he used to pass through...rent and move on. I was just curious.

[@DuchessBirdie]

She changes so much speaking of her childhood vs later life. And remembering abortion being illegal, black people unable to vote that sucks to see it reversed. I'm glad she wasn't limited by men and yes there are laws that make womens lives harder. Right moment right time in history for her and so many great..wouldn't happen now. It's all fake reality TV, designer labels and judging shows. But as a Sociology major, womens studies it took me a long time to accept I actually wasn't 100 % responsible for things in life despite clawing and working 3 jobs w 2 kids alone. Policies do work against women, but she is very cool. I grew up in Texas BTW at time ur taught all is up to you make ur own. Best advise she gives...practice not saying sorry all the time! She's so right on I'm glad she did this and yoing ppl can get the benefit.

[@Crash.7434]

You say that there was all these “restrictions” and yet not one restriction is mentioned. Abortion doesn’t count, that’s killing an innocent human life because of YOUR bad choice. Also are you really this dense about American history? Black people got the right to vote by 1870. Almost 100 years before she even started the band X. People are really this ignorant I guess. Edit: on top of it (white) women had the right to vote since 1920. Which was how many years before she was born? And all women got rights to vote by 1965. So no the government had no restrictions. Only “restrictions” was what society accepted as normal or not. Big difference.

[@HerbertAhu]

Well, thank you. I was/am still a wired teenager. In fact, it takes no effort at all. I think the early eighties bands like X and others kept my ass alive during the time. I remember driving home one night 1980 whatever. I had a pretty shitty job pressing starch in Oceanside, on Hill St. More of a shit hole than Santa Monica. So, Watch the Sun go Down comes on the radio, I was happy for a while, not stoned, drunk, high on coke or, meth delusional psycho happy, but in a genuine sense. I, at the time, loved those circumstances, and times, but hated the shitshow at the same time. In any case, X , and a few other bands helped to make things right. I'm 57 now, and own a house, how the f+&_ did that happen?

[@DuchessBirdie]

Um..as a San Diegan born in Michigan I can say maybe Mexican restaurant are everywhere but visit to Lansing I was asked if I wanted gravy on my carne asada burrito..that was a no..altho I was curious what that meant. I take The Taco Stand down the corner lol😂 she's so great ❤

[@JulieWeissGardner]

Yes, the gravy !

[@AlexanderLaurence]

She goes off the rails at 50:00

[@jdh9676]

You only say that because you don't like what she's saying. She's making sense, eyes wide open, straight on the rails.

[@AlexanderLaurence]

@@jdh9676 Brave New World and 1984 were written by insider guys who were Globalists? That is not true. For one there are plenty of dystopian novels written before and after. Secondly Brave New World and 1984 present two different viewpoints: BNW is about people being so entertained, or by taking Soma, that they lose their humanity; and 1984 is more about totalitarianism and double speak. These are books of fiction, and not propaganda. Many people mention the book 1984 without having read it these days.

[@MothGirl007]

@@jdh9676 No. She's a total lunatic, sadly.

[@Crash.7434]

If what she says is wrong, what’s the need to point it out? Most sane people ignore irrelevant comments. So what makes this more relevant where you have to comment about it?

[@audioeins]

❤ :)

[@frankpeter6851]

Its "sad" the lesbians at the women's space did not embrace you bringing your boy friend to the gay bar? What is sad is that even comrades never seem to have anything eloquent to say about homophobia. While I admire exene's intelligence, articulateness, and her work, I find myself cringing and disagreeing with much of what she says.

[@JuanDeSoCal]

Haha John was "a little loose" with the cash register as an employee at Brentano's bookstore, sort of like his bartender character in Road House.

[@BobbyMcFarrinMon]

Black Randy

[@strunch]

Conspiracy theories are boring and have nothing to do with music.

[@default3252]

L + irrelevant + Nardwuar is doing better

[@KedousY]

Nardwuar>>>>>

[@Truckngirl]

All the rumors about Exene are true based on this interview. She completely avoided the Dangerhouse era, X's first recording. Ok, bye.

[@vargaso]

You're right, she doesn't robotically parrot liberal talking points. Very dangerous person.

[@jamesrippner672]

Saw X twice, once at the beginning and once in 2015. Everything was intact. The first 3 albums were classic

[@jamesrippner672]

Beyond Baroque right down the street

[@lula_lavender]

arizona beats LA YOURE MY MUM!

[@AriesSagSexxx]

Fav Song~The Alien Song 👽