Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.
Its hard to be a punk rocker when your dad already has a stellar record collection. But for podcaster Heidi Bennett (VIBRANT VISIONARIES) it wasn’t just about rebellion. She was sincerely drawn to the thrift store mindset and DIY aesthetics of this early 80s music scene. And no safety pin pierced as deep as the 1980 debut album LOS ANGELES by the band X.
Today’s guest HEIDI BENNETT hosts the weekly podcast VIBRANT VISIONARIES available on APPLE PODCASTs and GOOGLE PODCASTS. She is a Certified Professional Coach who assists creatives in achieving their dream projects at www.heidibennett.com.
POP NOTES
X was first formed in 1977 by founding members John Doe (singer/bassist) and Billy Zoom (guitarist). They were soon joined by Exene Cervanka (singer) and DJ Bonebreak (percussion).
The band’s debut album LOS ANGELES was released on Saturday April 26th 1980 through Slash records. The album was produced by THE DOORS co-founder and keyboardist Ray Manzarek.
Exene and John Doe first met during a poetry slam at the Beyond Baroque Foundation in Venice California. The two began dating and and were married the same year LOS ANGELES was released. They divorced in 1985 but have continued performing together through all incarnations of X as well as the rockabilly spin-off project THE KNITTERS.
Prior to joining X, DJ Bonebreak played drums in the proto-punk band THE EYES alongside THE GO GOs co-founder Charlotte Caffey.
Guitarist Billy Zoom left the band following their 1985 release AIN’T LIFE GRAND returning to their live tour line-up beginning in 1998. He has also run a very successful amp and tube restoration business, BILLY ZOOM CUSTOM SHOP, since 1970.
In addition to both X and solo music projects, John Doe has acted in such big screen releases as SALVADOR (1986) GREAT BALLS OF FIRE (1989) and WYATT EARP (1994)
The band was featured in THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION, the 1981 documentary on the LA punk scene by filmmaker Penelope Spheeris (WAYNE’S WORLD). Their appearance included a live performance of “Nauseua” off LOS ANGELES.
Tune back on Friday when Heidi illustrates the historic importance of animation designer MARY BLAIR.
This episode of MÉNAGE Á POP was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser. It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.
MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.
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Try to understand the present while living in the past with Tim’s weekly podcast 20TH CENTURY POP! at www.nahpods.com/20popcast
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