Los Angeles, July 26, 2024 – The Regent Theater was ablaze with punk fervor as legendary LA band X took the stage for what they’ve dubbed “The End Is Near” tour. And let me tell you, it was nothing short of electrifying.
From the moment the lights dimmed, X unleashed a stripped-down, bare-knuckle rock ‘n’ roll assault. No frills, no DJ Bonebrake xylophones, no Billy Zoom saxophones—just raw, unadulterated punk. The crowd, a mix of die-hard fans and “last chance to see em” newcomers, felt the energy crackling in the air.
The opening chords of “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not” hit like a punch to the gut, setting the tone for the night. Exene Cervenka’s haunting vocals on “In This House That I Call Home” maintained the intensity, and the urgent pulse of “We’re Desperate” kept the adrenaline pumping. An absolute perfect opening with those 3 songs.
The band performed 4 songs off their new album, and they got us so excited for the new album. All new, but they also felt like classic X “Sweet Til The Bitter End”, “Flipside”, “Ruby Church”, and the title track “Smoke and Fiction”.
But, it was the Los Angeles medley that truly ignited the pit. “Los Angeles” kicked things off, and suddenly, bodies collided in a frenzy. “Johnny Hit and Run Pauline” and “Nausea” followed suit, each song a battle cry for survival. When we caught them at the Troubadour last month there was no pit, this night however, the crowd couldn’t resist.
X surprised us with deep cuts like “Adult Books,” a rarity in their set. And their encore included a very intimate moment, an acoustic version of “See How We Are,” featuring just John Doe and Exene. Their voices intertwined, vulnerable yet defiant. And then, the unexpected: they played “Wild Thing.” Yes, that “Wild Thing.” The crowd lost it. X hadn’t performed it any of the 15 or so times I’ve seen them, and it was so much fun.
As the final chords echoed, I wondered if this was truly the last time I’d see X. Cervenka’s words lingered: “I want to keep doing it until we absolutely cannot anymore.” They might look older than their 1980 selves, but the fire still burns. These lyrics of unrest and doom remain as relevant as ever.
So, is this the end? Maybe. But I’ll hold onto this memory—the sweat, the chaos, the music—as a testament to X’s enduring spirit. And who knows? Maybe they’ll surprise us again. Until then, snag their new album, “Smoke & Fiction,” out August 2nd. It’s a piece of punk history you won’t want to miss.
All words & Pics @ Alex Napiwocki
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