Hoooo, boy, this was some rockin.
Never having caught the legendary LA cowpunk group X back in the day, I leapt at the chance to see their trad-country, alt-country, country-country offshoot, the Knitters. The band can be best described by the following algebraic formula, for which I thank Mrs. Somers, my 7th grade teacher:
If K= Knitters and X = X, then the composition of K can be epxressed as:
K = X - (Billy Zoom) + (Dave Alvin)
So you get X, but with John Doe on acoustic guitar instead of electric, and with a furious rockabilly maniac guitarist, the great Dave Alvin (of DA and the Blasters).
The Knitters made one album 20 years ago, and, out of nowhere, a new, spectacular one this year. There is so much great musicianship in this affectionate stuff: DJ Bonebrake is still a powerful drummer, even with a kit consisting of just a snare, a tinny cymbal and a washtub with a bass kick pedal, and Alvin's keening, bent, twangy lines are perfect little rejoinders to the vocals.
And what vocals! Exene and John Doe have been singing their slightly askew harmonies for so long now they sound like normal harmonies.
Exene is an unexpectedly sympathetic country vocalist (she's much more Loretta than Patsy) , and listening to the two of them sing together live reminds one of just how much punk rock's unaffected wailing vocal style really comes from Appalachia and folk music. In thsi way, the Knitters can be seen as a link between some of those Harry Smith Anthology acts (like Clarence Ashley or, especially, the Stoneman family) and punk rock, which has more incommon with early rockabilly (in image/style, too) than most people remember.
They played a nice selection of choice country standards and covers ("I'll Go Down Swingin'," "Rank Stranger,""Give Me Flowers While I'm Living") mixed with some original stompers and some old X stuff adapted for the stripped-down ensemble. "House That I Call Home" is a particular highlight, with those amazing Doe-venka lead vocals.
Their crazed "Born to be Wild" alternates between verses of slow-drag country 'pone and choruses of flat-out punk stomp. I actualy liked this song, divorced from the weird macho/psychedelic vibe of the original.
In short, this was a gloriously unserious night of punkabilly. And loud.
By the way, I took these photos my very own self, with my new fancy 5 meg digital camera, the IR-300 from Olympus, which so far I love.
Article comments
1 - godoggo
The only Knitters I've heard is 2 songs on the X Anthology album (which I like much better than their regular albums): Someone Like You and Wrecking Ball. They're both good songs, but Exene really screws it up for me in a country setting. And Mr. Zoom's participation would have been nice. Alvin's cool, but...
2 - godoggo
p.s. I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really like X, in case that wasn't clear. Warts and all.
3 - Dave Nalle
I'm going to see them here in Austin at the end of the month. Looking forward to it greatly.
Dave
4 - godoggo
I presume you mean X. I saw them a couple years ago at the Sunset Junction, having seen them a couple times betwixt the 2nd ad 3rd albums, and then again, sans Billy, in the early 90s. The last show was by far the best. They've always tended reflect the enthusiasm of the crowd. Austin sounds good to me, somehow.
One little disappointment for me is that they don't play anything past the 4th album. I'd love to hear Billy's take on some of their later songs or solo stuff, but having read a few interviews with him, I'm pretty sure the chances of this are just about zero.
5 - Dave Nalle
Not going to see X...they're ok, but they lack the power of Dave Alvin. I'm seeing The Knitters themselves, in the flesh.
Dave
6 - godoggo
F**kin' punker.
7 - Dave Nalle
Wait, it gets better - the week before I get to go see The Dickies.
Dave
8 - SFC Ski
There are times I do miss Texas, the music scene was great, even if it was a 3+ hour drive to Austin.
Sounds like a great show, I hope they get to Europe so I can see them, at least Social Distortion is playing here next week. X and the Blasters together would be another dream show.
9 - Dave Nalle
Damn, I wish Social Distortion was coming here. I missed them the last time they came.
I've seen the Blasters a dozen times at least.
Dave
10 - godoggo
By the way, the reason I prefer the aforementioned Anthology album is because the odds and ends collected therein are so much rawer, and, yeah, more powerful than the album versions. Seriously, if, say the bootleg "Once Over Twice" doesn't move you, you might as well slap a "Thank You Jerry" sticker (with no annotations!) on your Love Bug.
The Dickies were the first punk band I ever saw. The audience was a bunch of suburban hard-core kiddies like me, so they were new-waved out to the max. I remember the singer, decked out in a polyester button-down with a gun six-shooter pattern, whining "Hey, come on, I'm wearing a pistols shirt," as we wiped the gob from his face.
11 - godoggo
The last time I saw "The Blasters," they consisted of Phil and a bunch of musicians I'd never heard of, and who weren't nearly as good as the original. I think the original drummer was their secret weapon, incidentally.
12 - godoggo
he wimped...
13 - godoggo
he wiped...
Cripes, seven operations on my goddam humerus and I still type like I'm ready for the Special Olympics.
14 - Lee
Hey, I enjoyed the Knitters review (and photos). Does anyone have a setlist of the show or this tour? Did they play "Walkin' Cane'? Thanks!!
15 - ClubhouseCancer
Yes, they played "Walkin's Cane." Here are the ones I remember:
"House That I Call Home""Wrecking Ball" "Flowers When I'm Livin" "We Don't Even Try Anymore" "Dry River" "Bad Thoughts" "Rank Stranger" "Born to be Wild""Silver Wings"
16 - ClubhouseCancer
Also: "Gotta get My Baby Out of Jail," "Rock Island Line,""Skin Deep Town"
And godoggo, if Exene ruins it for you in a country setting, you mustn't judge based on the two songs you've heard. As I mentioned in the review, she is a classic twangy belter in the Loretta mode. It's different, and better even than her punky wailing in X, to me.
The album's great, and live, their singing is just terrific. And convicingly "country." Or at least "rockabilly."
17 - Temple Stark
CC,
Music Editor Temple Stark picked this for an Editor's Pick of the Week. Go find out why HERE and grab a button.
That is, as soon as I fix the link back you'll be properly listed.
Thank you.
18 - ClubhouseCancer
Thanks! This is the first thing I've ever posted here that anyone's had much of anything to say about, which is its own reward.
19 - Eric Olsen
Exene looks way puffy.
I have always enjoyed her country style
20 - ClubhouseCancer
"Puffy" is a sweet way of putting it. But I wouldn't care if they had to wheel her in on a hand truck, when she scrunches up her little face and starts singing, she's beautiful.
21 - Dave Nalle
I exptect to see an Exene who looks like a beef-fed rural Texas housewife when I go to seen them in a couple of weeks, but that's fine with me.
Dave
22 - Kristi
Saw The Knitters last night in Nashville, and the show rocked. From the striking opening of the show, Dave Alvin & John Doe doing two amazing renditions of Merle Haggard songs ("Silver Wings" and "I Can't Hold Myself in Line"), to the whole band's rockin' version of "Born to Be Wild," the show was a memory in the making from start to finish. Highlights for me include the timely "The New World," the pushed to the limits country jamming of "Walkin' Cane," and the simple but exquistely beautiful "Little Margaret."
In terms of the comments made by some about Exene, I'll admit that, as is the case with those of us in the audience who've been following them since we were teens, their faces do show a bit of the 25+ years that have passed since the release of X's Los Angeles; however, as this show made clear their stage presence and performances show none of the wear and tear of the 20 years since the last Knitter album. In fact, this show superseeded an excellent X show I was fortunate to get to see in the 1980's. I've never seen the Knitters before, but I would gladly drive the three hours it took myself and my friends to drive to Nashville to have the chance to experience this much fun all over again.
23 - Christopher Wilson
I saw The Knitters concert in Alexandria, Virginia a week ago, and was blown away. Exene and John still sound just as great as they do on recordings from two decades ago, and the whole band (especially virtuoso guitarist Dave Alvin) was full of energy -- they truly seemed to be having a good time playing this music; they played it magnificently and the audience went wild. They performed nearly every song from the two Knitters albums, and a few countryfied X songs (New World, I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts, In This House That I Call Home, Burning House of Love). I enjoyed the banter that flew back and forth between Exene and John. And in response to the above postings, let me say that Exene looks beautiful at 49. To my eyes, she looks in good shape and was tireless in her dancing around the stage. There were times when her face lit up and looked like that of a little girl. She was dressed in a black and white checked dress that looked like something a 1940's farm wife would wear, red and white striped stockings, and black and white men's shoes -- lots of bracelets, and you could see the tattoos on her arms, including a big "X". She certainly has charisma, and is completey comfortable in her own skin, so down to earth, funny, intelligent... She's unique. John Doe has a warm, generous stage presence -- he loves the music and the fans. I had a great time at this concert and hope that there's another opportunity to see them before too long.
24 - Old Town Temecula Community Theater
The Knitters Ride Again at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater
Rare Appearance One Night Only: Friday, May 26th at 8pm
Temecula, CA. Temecula Presents The Knitters with opening act Buddy Zapata one night only on Friday, May 26th at 8:00 pm. All seats are $35, and available only through the Ticket Office by calling 1.866.OLD.TOWN (1.866.653.8696). For more information and images, please visit: www.TemeculaTheater.org.
After a 20 year recording hiatus, The Knitters released The Modern Sounds of The Knitters. The five band members returned with their alternative country sound they created on their original album Poor Little Critter on the Road in 1985. Their sound gives an old-time, country, folk, rockabilly spin on songs by X and others, also known as “cowpunk”, with twangy charm and bluegrass harmonies.
The Knitters features vocalists John Doe and Exene Cervenka and drummer D.J. Bonebrake (all from the band X), as well as upright bassist Jonny Ray Bartel (from the Red Devils), and singer-guitarist Dave Alvin (then of the rootsy rockabilly band the Blasters). This quintet, who all shared a mutual appreciation for country music, formed The Knitters back in 1982 as a country alter ego to the legendary LA punk band X. For more information: www.TheKnitters.net
Roots musician, Buddy Zapata will open for The Knitters. He has respect for and draws inspiration from the past, particularly any era with finger-picking blues and folk singers, but he keeps an eye on the future. Odd filters, cheap synth sounds, flugelhorn solos and distorted washes of electric guitar pass through his National Resonator guitarscapes and junkshop blues tunes. Gimmicks and effects, however, never get in the way of songs. Zapata is highly commended for his unique artistic vision, superb songwriting and guitar playing. He is considered without a doubt, an American original. For more information: www.BuddyZapata.com
About the Old Town Temecula Community Theater
The new 357-seat Old Town Temecula Community Theater is a contemporary, state-of-the-art proscenium theater located on Main Street in the heart of Old Town Temecula. The Theater has a beautiful courtyard, rehearsal spaces, meeting rooms, and a large dance studio. The Historic 1890 Mercantile Building houses the ticket office, a visual art gallery, and an intimate performance space that accommodates up to 50 guests.
The Old Town Temecula Community Theater has entertained over 18,500 patrons in the first seven months open. Temecula's beautiful theater is destined to become a regional center of arts and culture in the Valley. The Theater is located at 42051 Main Street in Old Town Temecula, CA. The public entrance is on Main Street, through the historic Mercantile Building.
Come experience quality arts and entertainment in the Temecula Valley. For more information, please visit www.TemeculaTheater.org or call 1.866.OLD.TOWN (1.866.653.8696).
Old Town Temecula Community Theater
42051 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590
866.OLD.TOWN (866.653.8696)
www.TemeculaTheater.org