X
at DV8
Friday, June 5, 1998
text & photos by: Helen Halloran
X's original line up: Billy Zoom, Exene Cervenka, John Doe, D.J. Bonebrake (not pictured)
 
When I heard that X would be touring with original guitar player Billy Zoom, I knew that this was one show I couldn't miss.  When I heard they were playing the gawd-awful DV8 club, I gritted my teeth and bought a ticket anyway.  How could I miss the reunion tour of one of my favorite bands in the whole world?  And I hadn't seen them play with Billy Zoom in the line up since they played Bumbershoot with Nina Hagen, I think that was way back in 1986!  Back before you kids were born!
Mr. Zoom assumes the position
 

I was fearful that seeing X at this lame all ages venue would mean I would have to fight for my viewing space with pre-teens.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the place was packed with people who were either close to my age, or quite a bit older.  In other words, old farts!  Yea, I was with my peer group.  And several of my friends made it to the show too.  Unfortunately, when DV8 presents live music and they say the show starts at 7:00, they really mean that the show starts at 7:00.  The Murder City Devils opened the show, and I unfortunately missed the majority of their show.  What I did hear sounded damn good though.  Still haven't had the chance to see these guys live, although word on the street is that they rock most righteously.  I will see them play before the end of summer, I will I will!

  
Exene & John, a terrific musical pair!
 

I found a place almost in front in order to get some good photos.  There were two people in front of me, and I'll be damned if their big 'ole heads didn't just get in the dang way.  Oh well, I somehow still managed to get a couple of good shots, which are posted here.

Billy the Ham
 
I stood right in front of Billy Zoom, which was a lovely spot to be in.  He was back in prime rock & roll form, and man did the crowd appreciate it!  From the moment he stepped on stage, the crowd was there with him.  It was amazing to see X play so enthusiastically - they all seemed delighted to be on stage with one another.
DV8 gives Exene an Execedrin headache!
 
Once X got their set going, the crowd was with them every step of the way.  I cannot remember the order of the songs played, but most everything I wanted to hear made it onto their set list.   The majority of the songs came from the first two albums, Los Angeles and Wild Gift.  Which was fine with me, as those are among my favorite songs.  Although I do have to admit that "The Have Nots" from Under the Big Black Sun is my all time favorite X song.  And alas, it was not played that night!  Oh well, I can't have everything!
Billy & his trademark silver Gretsch - you can almost see D.J. in this one!
 
X played their hearts out, and the audience would have kept them at it all night long if they'd had their druthers.  The band came back for 3 incredible encores.  Unfortunately, DV8 has this nasty habit of clearing everyone out before 10:00 pm in order to make way for the under 21 dancing crowd.  Boo-hiss!  The last song X played was "Wild Thing," much to the chagrin of Exene.  She mutilated the words, and sang over & over "I hate you, I hate you!"  When the song was over she explained to the audience, "I don't hate you, I just hate 'Wild Thing.'"  I loved it!  Exene is one of my all time musical heros!  I don't think she always gets the credit for her contribution to the band that she deserves.  Ah, but that's another story!
Exene, a true rock & roll goddess!
 
I can't even begin to describe how joyful I felt after having witnessed this show.  My friend Michelle said that seeing Exene and John Doe sing together gave her tears in her eyes at times.  I felt the same way!  And having Billy Zoom there was just the icing on the cake!  I remembered all the reasons that this band has always meant so much to me, both as a musical influence and just as a cultural phenomena.  I can't tell you how many times I've watched my copy of "The Unheard Music."  And I've seen every Exene Cervenka solo performance (musical as well as spoken word) and John Doe's as I possibly could.  And while each member's solo output stands on it's own merits, nothing can match the magic these four people can create together.  Here's hoping that this is not merely a reunion tour, but a new beginning for one of the most influential punk bands that ever existed!
Billy adds the crowd at Seattle's DV8 to his scrapbook.
 
Michelle and I will be going to L.A. for the 4th of July weekend to catch X at the Hootenanny '98 show.  This should be a total blast!  Stay tuned for pictures and stories about this trip!  There ain't no mountain high enough to keep me from an X show! 

Visit the X website!
Visit the Auntie Christ website!
Read my review of John Doe's latest solo performance in Seattle!

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Six days after the X show, I got a new cat.  Isn't he the cutest?  His name is Billy, named for someone... hmm, I wonder who it could be?