Monday, June 8, 2009
National Skyline Road Trip to Knoxville: X Play the Bijou Theatre, Singer Exene Cervenka Diagnosed With MS
Posted by Adam Gold on Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 7:28 AM
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Normally I wouldn't plug a show three hours away from here only two days in advance. However, in the case of legendary punk rockers X I feel the need to do so as their Wednesday night show in Knoxville will likely be their final Tennessee appearance ever, as the "the high-priestess of punk" singer Exene Cervenka has just announced that she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Having grown up a punk fan in Los Angeles, I hold X very near and dear to my heart--having seen them play the song "Los Angeles" in Los Angeles ranks pretty high on my list of favorite concert memories. I was fortunate enough to meet Exene backstage at The Hollywood Palace when I was 16 or 17, and she was very nice and chatty with me despite my teenaged dorkitude. Over the years I've always made a point to go see X whenever possible as they are still absolutely phenomenal live. I recommend you do the same while you still have the chance.
According to an article in the Los Angeles Times Cervenka claims that the diagnosis will "not affect [her] commitments as far to the current X U.S. tour or [her] solo album slated for release this fall." Obviously the band's future beyond this tour is in doubt. The Knoxville show is happening at the Bijou Theater. The band also plays Friday at the 40 Watt in Athens and Saturday at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
The band has supported the charity organization Sweet Relief for many years, an irony that Cervenka says "is not lost on [her]." For those of you who don't know Sweet Relief is an organization that provides "financial assistance to career musicians who are facing illness, disability or age related problems." Feel free to check out their website and donate if you feel so inclined. Check out a fantastic 1983 clip of the band playing "The World's a Mess; It's in My Kiss" after the jump.
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