New Wave for the New Week #13

Image via Wikipedia

Unfortunately, I didn't get to Baltimore for the X show Saturday night. I'll probably kick myself for not finding a way to get there, but sometimes the best laid plans go awry.

I figure the least I can do is pick an X video for this week's New Wave for the New Week entry, and I managed to find one I've never seen before! Their third album, Under the Big Black Sun (1982), was also their first on a major label. The main single from the album, "The Hungry Wolf," was played in light-to-mid rotation during the early days of MTV. But there was a second video shot from the album, for one of my favorites from their catalog of songs, "Motel Room in My Bed."

Forgive the rough quality here, but this is a rare one. The video is no great shakes - just a pretty straight lip-sync performance - but it does capture X at their best: John Doe and Exene Cervenka creating their at once beautiful and off-kilter harmony, guitarist Billy Zoom in full grin-and-pompadour stance, and DJ Bonebrake driving the whole band into a frenzy behind the drumset.

So, in honor of X's current tour and as a toast to Exene's health, enjoy this week's entry:

X - Motel Room In My Bed

Keep Good Thoughts Going Out to Exene Cervenka

Image by kathyp. via Flickr

Co-lead vocalist of legendary LA punk band X, Exene Cervenka, announced on her website today, "After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time."

Was planning to see X this Saturday night in Baltimore at Ram's Head Live; as of now the show is still on and Exene seems intent on continuing the current tour. While I would certainly love to experience the band live for the first time, the more important thing here is that Exene take care of herself. I have personally known one or two folks with Multiple Sclerosis, and while it is unfortunate diagnosis, it is one that can be managed with proper treatment and care. As one friend who suffers from MS once described it, "I don't live with MS. MS has to live with me!" Exene, take that attitude and keep doing what you've always done!

Please keep good wishes and good thoughts going out to Exene. If you feel so inclined, make a donation to Sweet Relief, an organization that helps musicians with Multiple Sclerosis. And check the tour dates on X's website here, and if you can, go out and support the band. I hope to have a road report from Baltimore after this weekend.