X- The Worlds Greatest Punk Band!

From humble beginnings at The Whisky A-GO-GO, to the best album of the year,(1983).For those who do not consider 'X' to be a Punk band, you are misinformed. Those who lived thru the L.A. Punk scene can tell you they were there from 76. Here is a incredible interview that may enlighten anyone interested in Punk roots. • LA punk history spews ...

[@TheStorm36]

Loved X when I was a young teenager back in the 80’s... then coincidentally Billy became my best friends brother in law... he is still so handsome like a beautiful alien straight off a ship...oh and his wife is a freakin beauty!

[@Chris-bc4ih]

They aren’t just a punk band. Every album shows an evolution and none of them are completely alike yet they are all uniquely X (until Billy Zoom left)

[@robertduffy5805]

I don't think he left, more like he didn't want to be part of what The Knitters did. Their all playing in San Diego at the Music Box in April. Or at least that is what the MB says

[@johnstaber557]

I saw them at the Bachinal in San Diego. Billy Zoom was on stage with Dave Alvin, breaking him in. Fucking amazing show…

[@phillipnations5482]

Alphabetland is a really good record and they have another offering this week. Pretty good for a bunch of old punks?

[@jpkaneshida1977]

Lost track of how many times I saw them back in the day. They combine the rawness of punk and the lyricism of Bunuel. A fantastic live band

[@neuhausengroup4682]

I have seen X twice and was always impressed…

[@simonjohnson6581]

I have never thought that they were a punk band, just a bloody good rockandroll band in a more raw style!!!

[@shanespringer5495]

Punk is an attitude

[@craigmillman6708]

Watch Decline of Western Civilization

[@joekimberlin264]

Got to see them a lot back in my reckless LA youth, and through the years, such a great, unique band, thanks for posting!

[@ddave7026]

They were a intelligent, mature almost directors of what the LA scene and landscape was back then. WOLVES know. That whole scene was wild To see them on American Bandstand was incredible

[@OroborusFMA]

Like the Clash they began as hardcore punk but then got more and more polished. And just like the Clash they got praise from the critics but didn't quite break through saleswise. Early X reminds me of Doors cuts like "Land Ho" and "Cars Hiss by My Window".

[@Airbaja]

So, many good bands broke during those daze! Take me to the Casaba!

[@wf1g]

The best people I ever toured with . ACTIVITIES !!! We were never bored on that bus ride that lasted the entirty of 1983.

[@edwardhassick5768]

Since the first-time it keeps getting better

[@Airbaja]

XXXXX

[@jdh9676]

X is absolutely a punk band. It's only those who consider "hardcore" or near it "punk" and nothing else. Spitting on bands, tossing snot onstage, testosterone fueled rage and rebellion bashed out by angry young men typically at breakneck speed. For many that is punk by definition and if its not that, its not punk. But they are wrong.

[@Airbaja]

EXACTO!

[@user-te6eo1gw9l]

THE SEX PISTOLS were lousy. could not play instruments at all,

[@jdh9676]

@@user-te6eo1gw9l Of course they couldn't play well. That was the whole point at the time. The original rock 'n roll artist of the '50's? Same argument was used against them. "Can't sing, can't play." And compared to jazz, pop, swing, and Big Band groups of the day? They couldn't! Same with punk and the Pistols. But you know...they could play. Badly, but they could. And that inspired millions of kids to say "if they can do THAT...I can do SOMETHING!" And that "shot heard 'round the world" saved rock 'n roll. Made it relevant again. Kids started bands, headed out on the road....dreamed it all up again. The Pistols were beautiful and brilliant. And they weren't even trying.

[@evhbombastic]

X is most certainly more punk than say, Green Day or Blink 182. I got to see X during their hey day in '84 and then in '91, and most recently '17 for their 40th anniversary tour. They were just as excellent and as relevant as they ever were in the '80.

[@Abc-h5f]

Obviuous ...blink 182 its not punk at all.x its profound and blink its intentionally stupid .

[@stacyblue1980]

X for life!💓

[@Gregdevopitts]

Never saw this compilation before. Nice!

[@mileslong9675]

X was great. Excellent music.

[@jimtokheim1422]

Dang, that Billy Zoom though!

[@Gregdevopitts]

So unrecognized!

[@DrRussPhd]

Saw them back in '84 ( I Think) with Jason and the Scorchers in NYC. Helluva show. Dave Alvin joined them for the encore.

[@Airbaja]

Dig it!

[@jggallow01]

Indeed!

[@jimtokheim1422]

Paul Schaefer always booked the best bands for Letterman.

[@bretadounitedfc]

La virgencita de Guadalupe!!!! Viva Los Angeles!!!!!!!viva x!!!!!!

[@martinboyton4329]

I was in my late teens when punk came around , and I lived in LA . I loved it. I thought if you could actually play actual chords you weren't punk.

[@bluegregory6239]

One of the best and most under-rated bands in Rock history.

[@Airbaja]

WEARING ONE OF THEIR CONCERT SHIRTS RIGHT NOW! L.A.'s second best band.

[@bluegregory6239]

@@Airbaja In your view, what was the best? I can think of several worthy candidates.

[@Airbaja]

The Doors B/G, I'm a prisoner of the moments of my life! Van Halen, Neil Young variations, might be my top three, sooo many! Great question...might be a film there, hummmm@@bluegregory6239

[@bluegregory6239]

@@Airbaja I would put Jane's Addiction and Guns and Roses and Black Flag on that list as well. Good answer!

[@Airbaja]

Exactly, dead on Man, too many, seen them all and GNR a few years ago kicked my ass.@@bluegregory6239

[@johnnagle8498]

I'm looking for the Aussie X.

[@huh2495]

6:24 Is that Eugene?

[@anejohannaskintveitkristia2013]

Punk band

[@Airbaja]

Damn straight!

[@elmoblatch9787]

And yet, that clip with Ray on stage is clearly a lip sync to the original recording. I have always been disturbed about that scene. There are other lip syncs in this movie. I love the movie, but that's my only gripe. As for calling X a "punk" band, that is too limiting. White Girl is one of the greatest songs ever -- any genre.

[@Airbaja]

I feel you Elmo, my sinc skills were less astute a few years ago, lol. I had some good video, and some good sound, but from many different sources, so, I cobbled them all together. 'X' callS themselves a 'punk' band, but agreed, your point is valid, they exceeded musically what most think of 'punk' bands, They were the best band in America, for a time. Then Seattle came a calling. Here is a similarly constructed video, about the guy who help the whole jundra change. Please let me know, I dig exchanges with 'real' Musicheads like yourself.! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5vGgGuamd2thaM

[@johnnihil1689]

They're afraid to play my city because of me. Lol Also, I hate Fear. They do suck.

[@cron205]

But they are a punk band you cant change that

[@cron205]

@@johnnihil1689 the hell they do FEAR RULES

[@johnnihil1689]

@@cron205 Fear got beat up by their own fans because they're pussies. I'd rather listen to GG Allin or anal c***.

[@val13c59]

Am I the only one that don’t consider this to be punk. It’s just alternative rock.

[@Airbaja]

If you were in the 'Punk Scene' it would be clear to you.

[@val13c59]

I’m 58yr old. Being in the punk scene since the beginning. I evolved my punk taste from 70s, 80s, 90s and modern. As an old school punker. X wasn’t considered punk. It was just garage rock, and they even had some pop songs that totally sucked. Punk is more along the lines of Black Flag with Keith Morris, Minor Threat, Circle Jerks. Etc. To this day, I’m an old school punk, thrash metal, heavy metal, rocker. Again if X is punk to you then fine. Even the GO GOs were considered punk to some lame posers. But there’s a real punk generation that didn’t think so.

[@val13c59]

Airbaja you might as well call the Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith punk rock. Though they weren’t. They just happened to come up in the scene. But that doesn’t make it punk.

[@Airbaja]

@@val13c59 Music like art is subjective, I lived then, hung out in Hollywood, Blondie lived in Hollywood as did many of the scene. You judge from a far, that's your right.

[@val13c59]

Airbaja it’s not judging. It’s an opinion. This can only go back and forth, in circles. Just leave it. At least your rocking, and that’s good. 🤘✌️

[@klepetar]

there ain't no such thing as best punk band..

[@Airbaja]

All are good or all suck?

[@joelovell9654]

The Australian X where better!

[@gregbors8364]

XTC was better than them

[@tntstorms7969]

Never heard of them. send a link to a video.

[@daveanderson718]

Yo Airbaja, they DID NOT start at the Whiskey, if fact, it was years before they were allowed to play there. They started at placed like the Hong Kong cafe.

[@Airbaja]

Formed in 77, played The Whisky in 78, I said "Humble Beginnings" plural genius. teenagedogsintrouble.blogspot.com/2020/09/x-live-at-whisky-go-go-1978.html