X (Australian band)

X
Origin Sydney, Australia
Genres Punk rock
Years active 1977–present
Associated acts Rose Tattoo, Sardine v
Members Steve Lucas
Cathy Green
Kim Volkman
Past members Ian Rilen
Steve Cafiero
Peter Coutanche
Ian Krahe
Geoff Holmes
Cath Synnerdahl

X is an Australian punk rock band, formed in Sydney in 1977 founded by the late Ian Rilen Steve Lucas, Ian Krahe and Steve Cafiero.

Ian Rilen on bass playing his unique fast down stroke style, formed X with Steve Lucas on guitar and vocals, Ian Krahe on guitar (who used to literally have blood on his hands from his thrashing playing style without a pic, by the end of a show), and Steve Cafiero on drums in the late 1970s. During X's history the line up changed twice, firstly on the sad death of Ian Krahe reducing the band to 3 members before they recorded their first album X-Aspirations (1979) in 5 hours at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney. The lineup changed a second time on their first Melbourne tour when the band reformed in the early 1980s. The tour was organised by then manager Nick Chance with booking agent Gerrard Schlager at Premier Artists in Melbourne, another long time fan of X. Cafiero had always said he would not go to Melbourne, yet being rock n' roll no one listened, and when advised of tour dates, he stuck to his word and would not go citing family commitments, and his career choice of real estate in the balance if he did. Cathy Green who replaced Cafiero on Drums was based in Canberra. She was known to booking agent Gerrard who suggested her to Nick Chance after getting latter's call to advise of Cafiero's decision not to go. Gerrard knew Green was a huge fan of X, so knew the songs, and was a great drummer in her own right who could fill in to save the Melbourne tour - and luckily Cathy agreed to do it, on a few days notice. There were two hastily organised rehearsals prior to the Melbourne shows - that turned out to be a huge success, and Cathy bought a new fresh yet solid feel to the band. Tragically, not long after that, Cafiero died when injected with a dye prior to an X-ray for a back complaint and Cathy became a permanent final member of X. The At Home With You (1985) album recorded in Melbourne included new songs Cathy was a part of inspiring, was made at Richmond Recorders and was engineered by Tony Cohen. The X And More (1989) followed also produced by Lobby Loyde as with two previous albums, (briefly a member of Rose Tattoo in 1979–1980).

Their first album X-Aspirations (1979) redefined the Australian underground music scene. Their followup album At Home With You (1985) stayed in the top 20 Independent charts for 29 months. Both albums were produced by Lobby Loyde.

X also released three more LPs as compiles: X and More, Evil Rumours and X-Spurts. They also released EPs Home Is Where The Floor Is and I Love Rock and Roll.

Although X has had several members, its sound has been defined by two distinctive elements: the songwriting skills of Rilen and Lucas plus Rilen's big bass sound with his down stoke playing method and Steve Lucas's slash and attack guitar, and screeching vocals. Drummer Cathy Green solid rhythmic and more subtle style, replacing Cafiero's raw power drumming by comparison.

Rilen was also a founding member of bluesy hard rockers Rose Tattoo. During X's first hiatus (1980–83), he formed the post punk outfit Sardine v, with his then wife, Stephanie Rilen.

As of 2004, Rilen had settled on a fairly stable line up of his current project, Ian Rilen & the Love Addicts, who included Cathy Green on bass. The band have also issued a CD, "Passion Boots & Bruises."

Steve Lucas used Melbourne band White Cross as a backing band for two 'solo' projects under the banner of Double Cross and released two LPs, Double Cross and Bought And Sold. He also fronted Bigger Than Jesus, founded the Groody Frenzy as well as A.R.M. (with Chris Welsh and Mike Couvret), The Pubert Brown Fridge Occurrence as well Neon and Venom. Steve also released the solo album Bread and Water featuring cameos from Paul Kelly, Brett Kingman, Andrew Pendlebury and Chris Wilson.

Discography

Studio

Albums

Singles/EPs

Live