American punk rock band from LA, California, formed in 1977.
From the band’s earliest days, they were known for complex songs with a rockabilly edge. Unlike many punk bands from the same era, the band exhibited musical proficiency.
In addition, the band’s lyrics bore an amount of sophistication that was uncommon for punk bands at the time. Co-written by Doe and Cervenka, who was known as poet prior to joining X, the lyrics were more often than not poetry set to music. The lyrics were also co-sang by Doe and Cervenka, who complimented each other harmonically, adding a deeper layer to the music.
The band’s stint with Slash Records is the defining era for the band, when they released their debut album, 1980's Los Angeles. Los Angeles is considered one of the most influential punk albums to come out of the L.A. punk scene in the '80s. In 2002, the band was awarded an Official Certificate of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles in acknowledgment of their influence on the Los Angeles music scene and the city’s culture in general.
