X
Live in Los Angeles
Shout!/Factory
· Legendary punk band gets the live DVD treatment.
There aren’t many of the original punk bands left. For the most part they have broken up, died or hate each other. X is one of the few exceptions to the rule. They’ve taken the odd hiatus, survived marriage breakups and the alcohol-induced haze of the late ’70s and early ’80s, and yet 25 years later they’re still playing. Live in Los Angeles showcases the strength of the band’s live performances with all original members – ultra-cool guitarist Billy Zoom (how come he never breaks a sweat?), drummer DJ Bonebrake, and duelling vocal harmonizers John Doe and Exene Cervenka. They look great – a little older, but still one of the coolest and most influential bands around.
As with many live recordings, there are some unfortunate difficulties with sound quality, but only for the first couple of songs. After that, we’re treated to a great collection of early X "hits" such as "Los Angeles" and "Johnny Hit and Run Paulene."
The bonus features are short but sweet. Doe and Cervenka’s two acoustic duets leave you wanting more. Zoom’s crowd snapshots are a bit weird, but it’s good to know he’s putting those photos to use. Overall, it’s like getting a great seat to watch the band, which is what a live DVD should be.
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