The 500 - #333 - Wild Gift - X

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

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Album: # 333

Album Title: Wild Gift

Artist: X

Genre: Punk

Recorded: Clover & Golden Sound Recording Studio, Los Angeles, CA

Released: May, 1981

My age at release: 15

How familiar was I with it before this week: Not at all

Is it on the 2020 list? No

Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: White Girl selected by my friend Albie Jasinski, a long-time fan of X.

In January, 1980, the California-based punk band X went to a studio to record their first record, Los Angeles. It was a massive critical success and sits, waiting for us, at position #287 on The 500 list. However, the group had so many quality songs ready for that recording session that most of them had to be put on hold. Those shelved recordings make up the bulk of  the band's second release, Wild Gift, which has also earned a spot on The 500.

With the exception of The Beatles, I am hard pressed to think of a band on The 500 that had so much exceptional material ready to record that had enough for another album. Additionally, much like The Beatles releases, Wild Gift, was met with critical acclaim.

X is regarded by many critics, including journalist Robert Hilburn, as "one of the most influential bands of their era". Despite their musical prowess, the group had limited commercial success but became a cult favourite. Indeed, I knew little about them before discovering this record on The 500.

X was formed in 1977 when bassist, vocalist and songwriter John Doe (born John Duchac) met guitarist Billy Zoom (born Stuart Kindell) in Los Angeles. The pair had independently put ads in a local music magazine searching for like-minded musicians. When they met to discuss a collaboration, Doe took along his poetry-writing girlfriend, Exene (born Christina Cervenka). She planned on penning lyrics for the band, but soon became the vocalist.

X in 1980 (l-r) Exene, Zoom, Doe & Bonebreak

The final recruit was the only native Californian – drummer D.J. (Donald James) Bonebrake.  Perhaps you, like me, assumed Bonebrake was also a pseudonym. After all, punk rockers are known for adopting peculiar stage names -- Sid Vicious, Johnny Rotten, all The Ramones or the aforementioned Doe, Exene and Zoom. With a name like D.J. Bonebrake, the drummer fit into the group perfectly.

D.J. Bonebrake (1980s)

However, Bonebrake is  D.J.'s legitimate birth name, with roots dating back to 17th century Switzerland. Despite variations in spelling over the years  (Pinebrech and Bonbright), there are many examples of the Bonebrake name throughout American history, including soldiers from the Civil War.

The Wikipedia entry for the album Wild Gift categorizes the genre as punk. However, that is a woefully narrow definition of the sounds on this terrific disc. Sure, there are some punk rock bangers on the  album, but the songs Adult Books and In This House That I Call Home are reminiscent of the art-rock, New Wave sounds of Talking Heads. By contrast, Some Other Time and Beyond and Back clearly have their roots in 1950s rockabilly.

X in concert 2016

Despite a lengthy hiatus, several side projects and some temporary line-up changes, the original band still performs today. In 2020, they released their first new material in 27 years, the critically well-received Alphabetland. A  tour planned to support the record was delayed by the Covid pandemic, but the group played a few dates in 2021. Fans hope a full tour is launched this year.

Alphabetland Album by X (2020)

We'll revisit X in about 46 weeks with their debut record, Los Angeles, an album endowed with so much material that it required a Wild Gift to bring it to completion.