West Coast punkabilly: Original lineup of LA's X power up amps at Majestic Theatre

Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Exene Cervenka and John Doe were the it couple of punk and new wave society. Sure, Fred and Patti Smith were even cooler, but the two original members of the band simply called X had the benefit of being in Los Angeles, where they were given a rather royal standing in the scene.

Along with Billy Zoom (guitar) and drummer DJ Bonebrake, X was widely considered one of the most accessible and tuneful of Los Angeles' many punk bands. The band's 1980 record Los Angeles received an Official Certificate of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles in acknowledgment of its important contributions to Los Angeles music and culture. The members were hugely influential on various genres of music, including punk, hardcore punk, shockabilly and (egads, even) folk.

The band's first four albums had a hard-driving sound that occasionally flirted with country and blues. By the time of its fifth album, Ain't Love Grand!, X had taken a more mainstream rock-oriented direction, and appeared on shows such as American Bandstand and Late Night with David Letterman.

The original lineup has reunited, is touring and will perform at the Majestic Theatre, Thursday, May 15. Doors 8 p.m. For more info and tickets go here.