Live Review: X with Jimbo Mathus at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, 10/27/24

DJ Bonebrake, Exene Cervenka, John Doe, and Billy Zoom have been chugging it out in X on and off since their formation in 1977. In 1980, the band released their debut studio album Los Angeles, produced by Ray Manzarek of The Doors, with a cover of The Doors’ “Soul Kitchen” on the album.

Under the setlist below, check out the “SetListPlayList.” The running time is one hour and seven minutes. X’s first set was a blazing one hour on the nose. After a very short break, they returned for three tunes. Fans were exiting the Variety Playhouse at 10:20. That’s 23 songs in roughly 75 minutes. Punk Rock.

As Zoom took the stage early, he tuned up to the Link Wray classic “Rumble,” before taking his seat. The quartet – the same four musicians who started it all back in 1977 – lit into with “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not” from that scorching debut album. Intermingled throughout the set were selections from seven studio albums including the surprise 2020 comeback release Alphabetland. Another two covers were “Breathless” by Otis Blackwell (for the movie soundtrack of the same name) and “Soul Kitchen.”

The foursome rocked through the evening as if it was their fist tour. Bonebreak kept the beat, always with an eye on the band’s unofficial leader Doe. At 68, Cervenka is the youngest of the group and frequently danced around the stage like it’s still 1980. Zoom took a seat for most of the night. Having been diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2015, the 76-year-old flashed his trademark Mona Lisa smile with a dash of wincing now and then. He did stand to play the saxophone for a couple tunes, with a sound the late Saxa would have loved. Doe, 71, seemed the most energized member of the group, playing with a fervor he’s never lost.

X’s punk rockabilly (punkabilly?) identity was on full display, sounding as tight as ever. It’s hard to believe its been 44 years since their debut. Each musician better than you think on stage, it seems that they’ve improved with age. Calling it quits now is understandable, but fans were fully engaged and wanting more. Touring in support of their supposed final studio album, the excellent Smoke & Fiction, the band tore through several cuts including the fiery “Ruby Church.” It’ll be a hard pill to swallow for fans on “The End is Near” tour,

On “Sweet Til the Bitter End,” Zoom’s guitar nearly lifted the Variety Playhouse off its foundation. What a scorcher. With election day in America just around the corner, real fans know there’s a divide, of sorts, among band members. Between songs, Doe asked fans, “Is it early voting yet?” Cervenka gave a half-scowl and side-eyed the bassist. That was the extent of their political banter.

After the one-hour set, Cervenka and Doe took to the stage for a brilliant acoustic version of the 1985 single “Burning House of Love.” It showcased the magical harmonies of the two singers, a staple of nearly all great X songs. The final two selections “Come Back to Me” and “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts” brought Bonebrake’s drum tech in to cover while he jumped on the xylophone and went to town. This was also Zoom’s opportunity to rise and sax it out, switching to guitar and assuming the stance.

It will be a bitter goodbye for a band which influenced so many others. Keep an eye out for solo projects. These four won’t be able to stay off the stage. For more info on tour dates and music, visit their website.

The show was opened by Jimbo Mathus, formerly of Squirrel Nut Zippers, who threw out some serious equations of jazz, blues, and country. While playing guitar and singing, the rest of his trio were on the stand-up bass and acoustic guitar, with additional vocals. His “South of Laredo” was a gem, with vocals, “A ride across Texas is a mighty long thing / Especially when you’ve got no booze to drink / You’ll be thirsty.” It was an intimate and personal set. Fans found Jimbo out front after the show selling merch from his van. A true original.

#punkabilly #supportmusicians