X - Full performance (Live at Rock the Garden)

"What a beautiful place. What a beautiful park. What a beautiful city," singer Exene Cervenka said. Cervenka, John Doe, DJ Bonebrake, and Billy Zoom showcased their range, playing songs from throughout the band's four-decade-spanning career including "True Love," "Hungry Wolf," and "Phone's off the Hook, But You're Not."

[@carnack33]

"X" is literally in a class by themselves. The LA club scene was their home and they reigned fire for decades...sonically on point and one hell of a lot of fun. Never a bad show.

[@kevincarlson668]

This much later,I still have dreams of their Club 88 and Whiskey gigs.

[@bugerbond03]

X is a National Treasure....

[@devilsadvocacy]

I have never seen a band play with more energy and consistency over 40 years. Which probably explains why I’ve seen more X concerts than any other band

[@nathaniel4969]

Lost track how many times I've seen X. They NEVER disappoint. Seeing them twice this coming weekend 😎

[@eddiem5997]

Not very many bands been around this long and still have the original line up. I love X, they never disappoint. I catch them live every chance I get.

[@davidgreen1504]

Best American band ever 2nd best Black Crows early x the speed and power late 80s wow miss those times but they still sound great🍺

[@aljustal6554]

Technically, they returned to their original lineup. Billy Zoom left the band from 1986 to 1995 and Dave Alvin (1986-87 only) and Tony Gilkyson were on guitar during those years.

[@Topshelf87]

Such an uplift! I feel like I’ve been teleported back to the best days of my reckless, carefree youth.

[@davidschmitt2362]

they still rock. billy zoom is a great guitar player

[@devilsadvocacy]

Makes difficult riffs look easy

[@manofparadox]

I'd rather listen to him than Eddie Van Halen- Billy's playing has soul..

[@velvetbikes]

Old enough to be your grandparents, will still kick the asses of kids one-third their age. Still as tight as they were 40 years ago.

[@tobeysmith6425]

X was and is my all time favorite bands. 15 to 54. X shows are so great. Nobody else understands but the lyrics and guitar speak directly to my soul. Drank way too much when I was younger and everything fit perfectly. I could relate too much. And the energy. So blessed to have this influence when I was young with a poor single mom, no dad and no direction. Never grew out of the songs.

[@geojorge1369]

I feel the same about ~X~ and their music. Similar story in a different way...

[@tntstorms7969]

I credit the Johnny Ramone and Billy Zoom for teaching me to play guitar. Their songs stand the test of time. Glad you hung in there. We are the same age but I live in Seattle area and heard them when I was 16-17 and was hooked with Wild Gift album. Rockabilly, punk, and lyrics having some meaning. The did finally get the national spotlight in `83-'85 but since their music is just cool overall it is ageless.

[@mikemike8142]

@@tntstorms7969 got into X as a teen and have to say I'm still hooked at 53. My Teen years were spent in Seattle going to punk shows too. They are the true rock band. Just saw them live with all original members that was a wild gift

[@GuyTVUSA]

Glad to see Billy Zoom looking really healthy!

[@TonyWud]

his hands are on fire though.

[@valdesigns1346]

"Your phone's off the hook, but you're not." Is one of the greatest lyrics EVER.

[@devilsadvocacy]

“The kind that said ‘I Do’, forever searching for someone new” would like a word

[@kickerspubgrub6720]

00:00 Beyond and Back (Wild Gift) 02:51 In This House That I Call Home (Wild Gift) 06:29 Because I Do (Under the Black Sun) 08:55 Sugarlight (Los Angeles) 11:24 Breathless (Jerry Lee Lewis cover) (More Fun in the New World) 13:54 White Girl (Wild Gift) 19:13 Come Back to Me (Under the Black Sun) 23:00 True Love (More Fun in the New World) 25:46 Poor Girl (More Fun in the New World) 28:45 Year 1 (Wild Gift) 30:25 The Hungry Wolf (with drum solo) (Under the Black Sun) 35:06 Los Angeles (Los Angeles) 37:32 Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not (Los Angeles) 40:08 Nausea (Los Angeles) 43:56 Johnny Hit & Run Pauline (Los Angeles) 47:13 Motel Room in My Bed (Under the Black Sun) 49:36 Soul Kitchen (The Doors cover) (Los Angeles)

[@mikehersh6192]

Good stuff

[@getstew]

Um, 5th song is actually "Breathless-uh" 🙂

[@koho]

Did they find the fountain of youth?? They're better here than in 20 years. And Billy Zoom still sets the record for fewest calories burned per decibel-minute - partly cause he''s just so damned cool.

[@seanbrandle5121]

no kidding. They sound as amazing as they ever did.

[@acffh]

Overly cool! Billy worries me! Is it possible to be TOO COOL????? At least he smiles at cameras whenever he sees them! What a guy!

[@beckettkashton5232]

Instablaster

[@dannypalmer4641]

6iijckkiukooiuoiiiloiiii8ui

[@jimspencer4413]

I’ve been around a while, have seen lots of bands, and really good shows, but the images, the memories, I have of some of X’s ‘early days’ gigs in Southern California, are equal to any of them. Chief among them is Billy grinning maniacally as he effortlessly knocked out his scorching hot mutated rockabilly licks and twisted turnarounds. Amazing people, amazing songs, X are absolutely All-Time Greats in American rock history.

[@trishgilbert9136]

X is my ALL TIME FAVORITE BAND!!!! I saw John Doe in NYC 3 years ago and he was great...can’t wait to get the new album!

[@tobeysmith6425]

I have an addiction and I don't want to quit.

[@mikehersh6192]

New album rocks even in 2022 🎵🎼

[@rexmundi3108]

Good lord we've gotten old...but we still sound damn good.

[@fidelfonseca4375]

All are smokin’ hot

[@lorabetts8317]

Me and my daughters band! We met them! There are truly talented and cool as ever! Love!

[@richardpearson8653]

I saw them in 1980 at the age of 16 urgh music War Santa Monica Civic.... wow..... Johnny hit-and-run paulene forever

[@marikal.5792]

Saw them at SM Civic on New Year 1985!

[@devilsadvocacy]

They played a free concert at Cal State Fullerton, on the lawn next to the student union, right around the time I graduated. We had a mosh pit going, even for the slow songs eg Unheard Music, Universal Corner, etc.

[@Chris.T.Ortez138]

Oh man, "URGH! A Music War" was such a great movie and soundtrack!

[@kevincarlson668]

Ah,I remember Exene looking totally drugged.

[@jamesc7121]

Love me some X.

[@scottielambert9312]

John Doe is the coolest human being ever born. DJ Bonebreak is amazing. Billy Zoom is a God. Excene is life.

[@littleghostfilms3012]

Ditto...ditto....ditto.....!!!!!! Billy is theee coolest guitar assassin of all time!

[@etherashe5164]

Well said.

[@cftvdata]

Man, this performance has made my day. Wild Gift, in particular, is one of those truly timeless records that sounds just as perfect now as it did when I was a 12-year-old hearing those songs for the first time. Being someone who "got" X as a kid felt like being a member of a special club. So great to see these four looking physically aged by time (as we all are) but putting on just as rollicking and exuberant a show as they did in the early '80s! DJ still exudes pure cool, John and Exene are looking like the wildest pair of grandparents you could ever hope to have, and Billy is still grinning mischievously as they create their racket. And they sound just as fantastic as they did 40 years ago. What an awesome time capsule.

[@danielebuti3404]

Exene one of the most beautiful voices for ever.X are one of favorite bands,go!Billy go!

[@phillipnations5482]

Exene is on fire here. Just brilliant!

[@georgespencer3973]

I cannot believe how good they still sound! They do not sound at all like a band that’s been playing for 40+ years. They worked their asses off at this show.

[@warrogue1798]

I've sent them several times in recent years and they always knock my socks off.

[@raquelgato7211]

This is gold!!!!!

[@cactuslog]

Great job, you guys. I have always loved your music and attitude.

[@huskerrrr]

I still have my Roxy ticket stub from when I first saw them in 1980 in L.A! They were phenomenal then and are still bringing it!

[@jamespage7998]

Still so Bad Ass. Sorry to here they are calling a day. At least we have one more opportunity to see them !!! Thank You X!!!

[@davidgreen1504]

Damm remember hearing this song walking in j&r music world in Manhattan N.Y. was hooked after that this was 85/86 been hooked ever since long live the greatest Americian band ever"X"🍺🍺

[@jpkaneshida242]

That means a lot coming from a New Yorker... ROCK ON!!! 48:49

[@ANGREAD1]

They just get more amazing with age... Awesome....

[@shawnaaronmccraney]

Still full of Los Angelino heart and soul. My favorite band of ALL time.

[@michelehaller6257]

All time favorite!!!

[@DCB728]

Can I get an AMEN!

[@michelehaller6257]

@@DCB728 Amen

[@michelehaller6257]

Mine too!

[@stacyblue1980]

@@michelehaller6257 mine three! Absolutely. 💗

[@SkeeterNYC]

Still one of the greatest bands EVER!!

[@charlesbarber6137]

Watch the video and they certainly look older, we all are! Listen to it, and it is fresh and sharp and just as amazing as ever, great versions of great sones.

[@2639629]

The band is tight. Sounds terrific

[@deadkennedy07]

what do you mean? just listen to L.A and Nausea... and dude they're at their 60's come on

[@Kmarty2000]

Lived in LA early Eighties. X was the Gold Standard for live music, in those days. And tighter than a frog's ass stretched over a tail pipe! Good times...

[@kevincarlson668]

Loved them at Club 88 and Santa Monica Civic,and maybe the Whiskey.I was too young for the Masque era,unfortunately.Everyone else was drooling over Debbie Harry.My first puppy loves were Exene,Siouxsie,and Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex,instead.

[@MrSpikebender]

Thank you, I needed a little reminder how badass the 80s were!!! I think I'll go skate while I'm feeling young.

[@PrincessHarlotte]

My favorite band ever ❤

[@burooj119]

The King of Kool....Billy Zoom!!! No wasted movement....a true legend!

[@richardzamora7635]

The greatest band nobody heard of love them. L.A's Gem.

[@chrise1485]

This show is mixed so well! A lot of the time John's bass is mixed down so low, its loud and clear here. Glad i got to see X 4 times, best punk rock band ever

[@robinbobkowski-brodrick7875]

Never ever stopped adoring them.

[@gregoryburton5317]

every time Exene wears her red skirt...her spirit animal is awoken and she puts on a show like no other.....MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT!!!!

[@PeryNewsWebTV2005]

SENSACIONAL!!!! É bom ver hoje essa banda que curti muito no memento mais punk do mundo....estão ainda melhor que antes..Sou aqui do Brasil terra onde curtimos muito essa banda....

[@renglisgaldinoxavierxavier1393]

É dois mano

[@barbaraschumacher3861]

They're as mesmerizing as when I first saw them in 1984.

[@minxlabrada]

Billy Zoom rules! Thanks.

[@jdh9676]

Woe to you if your band comes on after X 😢

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

Actually I wonder if that ever happens anymore. I couldn't imagine the circumstances it would outside of some scheduling mis hap after a day long European festival... and even then, unless a flawlessly resurrected Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny and Tommy suddenly appear back stage at the catering table, whoever pulls the short straw of following all original X may as well indeed brace themselves for a Rodney King sized beating 😉🤘👍

[@TheLizardKing64]

JFC. I live in MSP, and I missed this show. Billy Zoom is always so awesome. Dude makes playing look effortless.

[@jimspencer4413]

He makes fast, furious, positively fierce playing look effortless

[@antonioaste]

Great Performance!!!!

[@TonyWud]

Billy Zoom never loses his pick.

[@jpkaneshida242]

OG LA Decline of WC punker here... it's great & HILARIOUS to see X still doin' it... ROCK N' ROLL!!! AND... LA LEGENDS!!!

[@trishgilbert9136]

The new album is GREAT! Love it! They just don’t make bad records.

[@CHrisPetE056]

I just took a trip back to 1985…to the first time I saw X 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. Thank you.

[@markisskajellafetti]

Wow!!! I Love You folks! Thanks for keepin things goin.

[@DCB728]

It's so sweet to see Billy beating the big C and playing his ass off, as always. And then they release "Alphabetland". Stellar as always.

[@kathysahagian7478]

Oh shit, stay healthy @billyzoom love you

[@smwrbd]

What a nice saxaphone in Please Come Back To Me.

[@johnnysongdujour]

Beond & Back sets the mood: Billy allows a rockabilly swing that updates and enhances the song. The best band in the world - still!

[@bobfriedman409]

THIS IS THE BEST i've seen them!!!!!!! EPIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@korymortensen830]

This is so bad ass! Thank your posting! Love this band!!

[@litespeedga]

Perhaps the best band that no ones heard of....

[@TomMcisaac250]

35:09 LOS ANGELES X still rocks just as hard as in The Decline of Western Civilization

[@MH-zg5yw]

No, they don't

[@BDBee81]

Yes !! **T*D*O*W*C** & **SUBURBIA** (1983) All the way !! >8-D

[@tmmmy4175]

Yeah. Watched it start to finish listening on my 15's. Didn't get out of my seat. Glad they still rock better than ever and better than most. Come Back To Me brought me tears.

[@kenjo3045]

So happy to see Billy Zoom still hanging in there.

[@Lux-Exterior]

I’ve never seen Billy Zoom play anything but a gretsch silverjet! Still the perma-grin though! Thanks Billy

[@Chip8224]

Had the joy of seeing them on a double bill with Squeeze in 2019 and what a great show both bands delivered. Love these guys. One of America's greatest ever bands. No doubt about that.

[@soysaucefool]

Me too, fantastic tour, with two underrated bands.

[@fabiofamous7682]

Avevo13 anni ,quando ascoltavo il loro disco "Los Angeles"👍

[@dhphotovideo1]

Love this band. Consistently full of energy!

[@valdesigns1346]

Such an amazing band.

[@kennethharvey8064]

I never missed a show in the 80s. madam wong's, the whiskey a gogo, palladium and all venues. fuckin tattoo parties were the best.

[@kathysahagian7478]

Hong Kong cafe with wall of voodoo was my first time just before or at release of Los Angeles. Thanks Bill for turning us on to X

[@BBProductions4You]

Thanks for this Up ! Setlist: Beyond and Back In This House That I Call Home Because I Do Sugarlight Breathless (Jerry Lee Lewis cover) White Girl Come Back to Me True Love Poor Girl Year 1 The Hungry Wolf (with drum solo) Los Angeles Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not Nausea Johnny Hit & Run Pauline Motel Room in My Bed Soul Kitchen (The Doors cover)

[@skawashers]

Good set list always a shame they never play. I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts ... which i think is their best track

[@3ld919]

@@skawashers Yeah, what's up with that, that's my favorite X tune as well. Think I will search for a live version of it after this.

[@NilsFerry]

It's amusing that Billy can still look like it's so easy for him.

[@oaklandlubber]

@@skawashers They played it when I saw them this past December at The Independent in San Francisco. First saw them in 87 opening for Warren Zevon. Excene was 6 months pregnant and her belly was popping out. They only played 45 minutes but still rocked!

[@frankmorrow3701]

@@skawashers They played it the last time I saw them a few years ago!

[@j.g7506]

Dang ...they still play good! The new generation missed out on all this !

[@amberamber3428]

The Cramps, X my fovorite band

[@billrimsa2303]

Still making people happy in 2023 - so excited to see them this summa - All the classic songs but unlike most bands they have new material (Alphabetland , 2020) that is as good as their early work - A true American Gem - "The Last American Band to get played ont the Radio"

[@aldagostino7940]

Great playing and great songwriting! Buy the new album, ALPHABETLAND. It rocks HARD!

[@Chip8224]

Yeah, it's great isn't it?

[@kathysahagian7478]

I got it in blue vinyl!

[@DCB728]

My only complaint is that it is too short! We need more new X tunes.

[@noreeeeply]

i can't believe they came out with such a kick ass album at this point in their carer. Great Record!

[@stephanier6783]

Can't believe how good her vocals still are: WOW

[@benwitte8832]

Damn they sound fantastic!

[@lrh411]

Hahaha pure rock n roll here. Saw them open for DEVO on NYE 1980.

[@Totanmix]

I was at the same show! It was somewhere in long beach if I remember correctly.

[@cftvdata]

@@Totanmix it was at the Long Beach Arena. I used to have a recording of X's set, as well as Devo's - the latter of which was a real treat, as it featured primordial, sped-up takes on several Freedom of Choice tracks. Those live tapes got around quite a bit in the early 2000s - I wouldn't be surprised if both are on KZbin.

[@cftvdata]

@@Totanmix I remember the other highlight of the recording is what sounds like an entire kiloton of fireworks exploding at once during Devo's encore, scaring the shit out of the audience and band alike - at least, that's how it sounds from the audio. Maybe you can confirm or deny this? Haha!

[@thecoug1544]

This deserves a million views. So spot on. And upon watching. This isn’t the easiest song to play in the world. So good. Thanks for sharing. Pretty vicious the best band you’ve never heard of

[@Ease54]

The 80's seem like yesterday. Wish I'da paid more attention.

[@JayGorham]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@warrogue1798]

Long live X!

[@campbellfiles9019]

Billy Zoom!!!

[@dajuanandonly1]

Still can’t believe I was able to see this performance in person. Being born in the 90’s, I didn’t get to see some of the musicians I grew to love the most like Sinatra or Nirvana, but X is still going strong and this was an unexpected dream come true

[@rudylovato2759]

Grew up in L.A. hanging out in the hollywood rock clubs and punk clubs scene. And x was the best. And now we are all old farts🤗

[@tommymaestro4099]

7 Seas ?

[@dnk1870]

Starwood in 77.

[@rudylovato2759]

@@dnk1870 We were in jr high school and we would take the r.t.d. from cudahy to the sunset strip and pay our 3 dollars to see van hallen, quiet riot, ali cart, smile, And snow. Back in 76 or 77 and we loved the starwood

[@jdh9676]

amazing, huh. Check out Billy Zoom Fan Club on FB. Oldest fart of all! He takes part, makes posts and comments. He's hilarious

[@rudylovato2759]

@@jdh9676 Yeh him and mick mars.

[@reedsfab3828]

Great band....

[@ronbrown6103]

I saw them at Red Butte Gardens exactly one year ago, it was meaningful because it was 41 years since the first time at the Roxy and they sounded just as good! Also nice to be able to BYOB! ❤

[@aljustal6554]

The 7th song, "Come Back To Me" was written by Exene as a tribute to/remembrance of her sister Mirielle, who was only 26 when she was killed in a car accident in 1980. The first two verses take place at the funeral home before/during Mirielle's service.

[@mikehersh6192]

Great drummer

[@sanpatricio9490]

What a great show!!! Almost as good as when I first saw the play inside the Guthrie theatre August 2, 1982 for the "Under the big Black sun" tour. That was a crazy show. From the start of the first song, people stood up to dance and slam dance, which confused the Asia security guards who thought people were fighting like right there a few feet from the band, seeing as the stage is only a foot high and there was a tussle of fans and security. Exene stopped the second song to implore security that it was ok they were only dancing. Security lightened up and let people dance in n their seats just so long as they didn't block the aisles. Great show from then on, but who was the idiot who booked a hardcore punk band to play in the Guthrie where you couldn't dance, let alone slam dance?!?!?

[@tntstorms7969]

I never considered X to be a hardcore punk band.

[@tobysbreathisverybad]

Saw that same tour. Madison WI. The Replacements opened.

[@PLEGG2323]

Truly kick ass Rock and Roll.

[@SALT9]

Love this. Come to Scotland.

[@michellet4635]

Still sound great 40 + years down the track

[@louie40205]

Who could dislike this???

[@mlwsf]

Exene can be a hard sell. As much as I love this band it has to be said.

[@shawnaaronmccraney]

@@mlwsf dont agree. She honorably embodies the ravages of life on women. An icon of authenticity.

[@mlwsf]

@@shawnaaronmccraney I just said she could be. It is a rather polarizing feature of the band. My wife can't stand her. Lol

[@shawnaaronmccraney]

@@mlwsf yeah, i get that. Thanks brother.

[@gregv8690]

There are 7 soulless beasts who disliked this

[@matthewallen1491]

This is going to be amazing!!

[@patriciarhoads2459]

Massa demais,amei,mto punk rock pra mim e pra todos q curtem,show!!!🤘🤘🎸❤

[@renglisgaldinoxavierxavier1393]

Muito massa de mais minhas músicas preferidas são a beyond and back , in this house that i call home , breatless , because i do.

[@wadepatton2433]

Had no idea these folks were still playing/living. GREAT! thanks

[@greyes642]

Dam.....still rocking. Awesome.

[@tntstorms7969]

Yes they still rock it like '77 and even with Billy not getting the correct song kicked off he's still top notch. Greatest LA punk band of all time and rivals the Clash, Pistols, Ramones, Stooges for the all time best punk band.

[@MH-zg5yw]

greatest LA punk band of all time? haha!!!! it is obvious you were a part of the early LA punk scene. There were far better and more interesting bands than X.

[@tntstorms7969]

@@MH-zg5yw I wasn't part of the scene back in the late 70s and early 80s but I read about them in 1982 when Wild Gift came out and I love that record. I became of fan of all those bands mentioned after that. The Ramones and Clash were another two bands that were top notch. I did like Black Flag but they were too raw and all the other thrash bands didn't really appeal to me although some were talented. Ultimately it boils down to the songs and talent and X is by far more talented than most punks bands for sure. I live in Seattle area so yeah, the Germs, Weirdos, Alley Cats, etc were not on my radar since I wasn't part of the scene. Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Minutemen, etc. actually made records that made it to the record store.

[@tntstorms7969]

@@MH-zg5yw Give me your top 10 then.

[@brianz505]

Absolutely amazing performance!

[@andrewbedford7255]

Awesome, straight up Awesome.

[@RonaldNkuna-yd3en]

You rocking ❤ this song are wonderful 🎉❤

[@kgriffith2553]

Saw them live in Kalamazoo in 1984. Billy Zoom really knew how to rock and dodge beer bottles.

[@jspanos500]

Legendary band with enough killer tunes to fill an airplane hanger. Saw them live for the first time at Riot Fest a few years ago. So good.