(“Then and now” pioneer Kristen Tobiasion extends Wallflower David Rinck’s “This We Dug” franchise with an homage to Los Angeles’ punk pioneers.)
In my opinion, no band from the punk-rock era captures the essence of southern California more than the band X.
Music aficionados may argue the Germs. But after all, X’s debut album is called “Los Angeles.” How can you argue with that?
That first album is a large stone in the bedrock of what makes up my foundation today. Paul Kaufman may bring Pink Flag onto the desert island. I nominate X.
Because they are brilliant. Because they kick ass.
You hear the opening riffs of “Johnny Hit & Run Pauline” or “The Unheard Music,” and you can’t help but smile. The tightness of these four gifted members is mindblowing; so vastly different than the “let’s pick up instruments and try to play them” attitude prevalent in LA during that time period.
Billy Zoom and DJ Bonebrake both had extensive musical backgrounds in jazz, blues and country. (I could do without the Ray Manzarek circus organ in the background on that album, but hey, his support got that album produced and helped get X on the map, for which I am grateful.)
And then there is Exene Cervenka. Her poetic lyrics and wailing vocal style kept the bands’ style way off-center, raw and edgy. She is one of my heroes. Totally unfabricated. Unpolished. Real. You gotta respect people who are not afraid to express themselves, to do their own thing. I kowtow.
and…
she went out with John Doe, and then had a kid with Viggo (Aragorn) Mortensen? You know Exene has got the mojo.
“she had to leave
los angeles
all her toys wore out in black
and her boys had too
she started to hate every nigger and jew
every mexican that gave her lotta shit
every homosexual and the idle rich
she had to get out
to get out
Get out
Get out
— Kristen Tobiason
More “This We Dug”!