History
X (American Punk Rock Band)
Formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1977, X is a seminal American punk rock band. The group's original lineup featured the distinctive vocal duo of Exene Cervenka and John Doe, alongside guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer D. J. Bonebrake. Throughout their career, X released seven studio albums between 1980 and 1993. Following a hiatus in the mid-to-late 1990s, the band reunited in the early 2000s and has continued to perform live tours, remaining active as of 2023.
Influence and Critical Acclaim
While X did not achieve widespread mainstream commercial success, their impact on music has been profound, influencing genres such as punk rock, Americana, and folk rock. Music critic Robert Hilburn recognized X as one of the most significant bands of their era in 1991. In 2003, their first two studio albums, Los Angeles (1980) and Wild Gift (1981), were included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Furthermore, Pitchfork ranked Los Angeles 91st on its list of the Top 100 Albums of the 1980s.
