X arose at the beginnings of punk in 1977. The Los Angeles quartet quickly gained acclaim with their 1980 album Los Angeles, which turns 40 today, becoming a classic of punk’s first wave. On April 22, the band unexpectedly released their first full-length with the complete original lineup in 35 years, Alphabetland.
Recording for the last 18 months, band members Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom, and DJ Bonebrake wanted to make the music immediately available to listeners and chose to release via Bandcamp while working to get the album available elsewhere as soon as possible.
“When your heart is broken you think every song is about that. These songs were written in the last 18 months & it blows my mind how timely they are,” explained John Doe. “We all want our family, friends & fans to hear our records as soon as it’s finished. This time we could do that. Thanks to Fat Possum & our audience.”
Alphabetland, which features artwork from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse set designer Wayne White, doesn’t stray far from the band’s original quick and hooky approach to punk. The album also includes an early X track, “Delta 88 Nightmare,” properly recorded for the first time.
With Fat Possum Records, X remastered and reissued four of their most loved albums: 1980’s Los Angeles, 1981’s Wild Gift, 1982’s Under The Big Black Sun, and 1983’s More Fun In The New World.
Purchase digitally or pre-order physical copies of Alphabetland here.
