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X — Blue Spark
Album: Under the Big Black Sun
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 538









Released: 1982
Length: 2:05
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Blue spark
He waits in a beach apartment
Blue spark
Thousands of lights, thousands of people
She's forgotten him for the bodies around her
Blue shock, exchange
Blue shock, exchange
Blue spark
What goes between the eyes downtown
Blue spark
Oh, loudspeakers and search lights the boulevard
She comes home later just to give him
Blue shock, exchange
Blue shock, exchange
Blue spark
Blue spark
Blue spark
Comments (73)add comment
 milleronic wrote:

Completely underrated band




Sadly underrated. Was completely ignored by mainstream FM back in the day.
Posted 7 months ago by romangaslan    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Don't know the second song but the first is great. Also loved their version of "Wild Thing" for the "Major League" soundtrack...


Both songs are on the More Fun in the New World album. That album is blistering from start to finish. Classic. 
Posted 7 months ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 tulfan wrote:

Always liked The New World and True Love from them...


Don't know the second song but the first is great. Also loved their version of "Wild Thing" for the "Major League" soundtrack...
Posted 10 months ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I saw X perform live, with a friend, around 1979-1980. A couple of years ago they were part of a free concert series put on by KCRW. I went to see them  with the same friend, 40 years later. 
Posted 1 year ago by chieromancer    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill!  Billy Zoom to the rescue.
Posted 2 years ago by Emmettf    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Days of the new
Posted 3 years ago by kenbelanger    [ Reply ]
Completely underrated band
Posted 4 years ago by milleronic    [ Reply ]
!
Posted 7 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Well, so, here's one way to stoke a long, boisterous, and shocked Facebook conversation if you have a lot of music-lovers in your friends list:

"I feel like popular media as well as my vast network of music-loving friends have failed me for not introducing me to the band X until now."

FWIW, things I've learned:
1. I have a friend with a cat named Exene.
2. Another friend has a mysterious connection to this band that I will have to ask about in person because apparently she doesn't want to talk about it on social media.
3.Yet another friend: "So, in order to correct my previous mistake of not instructing you on the obvious... Decline of the Western Civilization, Part 1. Look for it. Watch it. Learn it! "

So there you have it. This band is so obviously awesome that nobody has to talk about them :-)


Posted 8 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]
Whoah. What is this? I've never had an easier time putting a song in terms of a mathematical equation:

X = QoTSA + Cars

And that's math I can get behind.
Posted 8 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]
Loved this band-in spite of Billy Zoom's maniacal smile. That used to creep me out. 
 
Posted 8 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
Always liked The New World and True Love from them...
Posted 8 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
crikey, I don't think I've heard this since 1982.. nice throwback.
Posted 8 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
Desert island band for me.
Posted 8 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Oh Baby  - there is NOT enough X in the world!

Posted 14 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]
"It sounds like murder"...

Love X!

Rent or buy "The Unheard Music" if you want to see what it's all about. 
Posted 14 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
gregormiz wrote:
Yeah, all those California bands sound alike to me too. ;-)
Blue Cheer?

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 d00kie wrote:
I miss my Live at the Whiskey a go go album! :-(
 
I was there so if you want maybe I could re-enact it for you...

Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 gregormiz wrote:

indeed!  Still fantastic live when i saw them about a year ago.   Great Punk, great Rock and Roll!
 I agree with some of the other commenters that RP could use a little more of this vibe.

More Punk, less Tori Amos!  {#Devil_pimp}
 

I didn't stay for their show at Coachella. I will next year, God willing.

I saw The Knitters at HSB7 in 2007. They were fantastic!
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
 zenhead wrote:
sounds like the old airplane. yum.
 
Yeah, all those California bands sound alike to me too.  ;-)

Posted 15 years ago by gregormiz    [ Reply ]
sounds like the old airplane. yum.
Posted 15 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
long live billy zoom... and exene... and john of course.
Posted 15 years ago by larkie    [ Reply ]
 toterola wrote:
X = my favorite sorta-punk band ever. God they were great live! {#Clap}
 
indeed!  Still fantastic live when i saw them about a year ago.   Great Punk, great Rock and Roll!
 I agree with some of the other commenters that RP could use a little more of this vibe.

More Punk, less Tori Amos!  {#Devil_pimp}
Posted 15 years ago by gregormiz    [ Reply ]
X = my favorite sorta-punk band ever. God they were great live! {#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear some X... I bought this in my first year of university, way back in 1982 or 1983... it still brings back a lot of memories for me.
Posted 15 years ago by MM_Prague    [ Reply ]
at times it sounds a bit like Queens of the Stoneage ?
Posted 15 years ago by OHMish    [ Reply ]
boring
Posted 15 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
 E_A_D_G wrote:
Billy Zoom!
 
Billy Zoom!

Posted 16 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
I had my 7 month old daughter listen to this the other day. I think she liked it.
Posted 16 years ago by speakerman    [ Reply ]
Oh, so fabulous live...
Posted 16 years ago by denmom    [ Reply ]
I'd like to hear Interpol cover this...
Posted 16 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]
I miss my Live at the Whiskey a go go album! :-(
Posted 16 years ago by d00kie    [ Reply ]
preachersson wrote:
Nice! A little X is always welcome.
Yes, but a lot of X would be even more welcome! This great band doesn't get much play on RP.
Posted 16 years ago by diazo    [ Reply ]
lmic wrote:
In concert, the loudest band ever.
The Melvins played so loud one night I passed out, as did 5 other people. That's loud! (I was sober, too!)
Posted 16 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
guiguy wrote:
More X; anything from Wild Gift! Or LA; man, these four defined a moment in time....in crystal clear ways.
Seeing Billy Zoom and X at the Mab in SF is one of my favorite teenage memories. Wooooha!
Posted 16 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
Nice! A little X is always welcome.
Posted 16 years ago by preachersson    [ Reply ]
finally. that last hour was starting to drag.
Posted 16 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
John & Exene's (often atonal, and SO WHAT) harmonizing just kills me. Zoom's shredding, machine-gun guitar and Bonebrake's drums ain't half bad either
Posted 17 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Not sure if it is my nostalgia or their greatness...keep it coming.
Posted 17 years ago by ottonorse    [ Reply ]
Billy Zoom!
Posted 17 years ago by E_A_D_G    [ Reply ]
More X; anything from Wild Gift! Or LA; man, these four defined a moment in time....in crystal clear ways.
Posted 17 years ago by guiguy    [ Reply ]
When JD, XC, BZ, and DJBB were rockin they were the epitome of the best of the best American Bands - as legendary as CCR. Music and songwriting second to none.
Posted 17 years ago by GusinLeesburg    [ Reply ]
In concert, the loudest band ever.
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
horstman wrote:
WOW! I THOUGHT THIS WAS REALLY OLD, UNRELEASED TALKING HEADS. VERY GOOD. HAVE AN X ALBUM BURIED SOMEWHERE IN THE CLOSET. HAVE TO DIG IT OUT NOW. THANKS RP!!!
I assume you're shouting to be heard over my having cranked this all the way up. btw, this is a really rocking album. Even the cover of "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" is hot.
Posted 17 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
ScottN wrote:
Maybe the best live album ever!!
I have to think you're kidding - X was one of the best bands ever and I saw them live several times, but I hate the live album. Besides, Rock and Roll Animal buries all competition.
Posted 17 years ago by eskles    [ Reply ]
Nice transition!
Yeah! an album title segue.... Artist: Ray LaMontagne Song: Three More Days Album: Till The Sun Turns Black Artist: X Song: Blue Spark Album: Under the Big Black Sun
Posted 17 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]
Nice transition! Gotta love Radio Paradise for true diversity :)
Posted 17 years ago by Photo-John    [ Reply ]
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
yeeeeeeeeeah "Live At The Whiskey" rules.
I was at that show. 1 of 2, anyway. Stood next to Dave Alvin most of the show (back by the bar). I didn't realize it was him tho until after I'd mocked Gilkyson.
Posted 17 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
X! whatablast!
Posted 17 years ago by bschena    [ Reply ]
slartibart_O wrote:
Exene Cervenka, how can you forget a name like that?
As opposed to John Doe
Posted 18 years ago by dogdokken    [ Reply ]
Exene Cervenka, how can you forget a name like that?
Posted 18 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
yeeeeeeeeeah "Live At The Whiskey" rules.
Maybe the best live album ever!!
Posted 18 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
jdhal wrote:
Was lucky enough (and old enough) to see X/Knitters in the old LA days, and always loved this song. Flash forward to this year and I took my 14 year old son to an X show here in Philly at TLA. They were just as great, and really fed off the significant energy from the crowd. I still blast 'Live at the Whisky' to get the blood going....
yeeeeeeeeeah "Live At The Whiskey" rules.
Posted 18 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
Was lucky enough (and old enough) to see X/Knitters in the old LA days, and always loved this song. Flash forward to this year and I took my 14 year old son to an X show here in Philly at TLA. They were just as great, and really fed off the significant energy from the crowd. I still blast 'Live at the Whisky' to get the blood going....
Posted 18 years ago by jdhal    [ Reply ]
WOW! I THOUGHT THIS WAS REALLY OLD, UNRELEASED TALKING HEADS. VERY GOOD. HAVE AN X ALBUM BURIED SOMEWHERE IN THE CLOSET. HAVE TO DIG IT OUT NOW. THANKS RP!!!
Posted 18 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
X Wow this is great!!!!! MORE X
Posted 18 years ago by jdpinball    [ Reply ]
Whoa--X! Never thought I'd hear this band on Radio Paradise. And not one of their big hits! Another misunderestimation...
Posted 19 years ago by softjeans    [ Reply ]
ottonorse wrote:
yeah - my upload made it -- finally!
Yeah, thanks for the upload, otto. Great, great band, and one of their finer rock songs. Now, if we can just get "Riding With Mary" or "Los Angeles" all up in here....
Posted 19 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
KevDogRedux wrote:
X was a huge part of growing up in L.A. in the early '80s. What a great band.
Indeed. And near the end of their run (they've done reunions), they produced, IMO, one of the very best live albums ever--X-Live at the Whiskey. X later went on to release a DVD of the performance as well.
Posted 19 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
X was a huge part of growing up in L.A. in the early '80s. What a great band.
Posted 19 years ago by KevDogRedux    [ Reply ]
Most excellent, I dug out my old albums this weekend and listened to this very one. I saw X in 1982 touring for this album. Still stands as one of the best shows ever. Thanks for playing this song!!!
Posted 19 years ago by paulmall    [ Reply ]
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
I hear they are re-forming under the name of The Knitters with a record out soon. Be interesting to see if it happens. X obviously one of the great punk bands ever.
The Knitters has been a side project of X for years. Even more rockabilly sounding. Quality stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
I hear they are re-forming under the name of The Knitters with a record out soon. Be interesting to see if it happens. X obviously one of the great punk bands ever.
Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
ScopArch wrote:
Ditto! Wait a minute, I'm dittoing myself!
Careful, you could go blind. That said, this song ROCKS!
Posted 19 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
X Rocks! More, More!
Posted 19 years ago by Jimmy86    [ Reply ]
ottonorse wrote:
yeah - my upload made it -- finally!
Thanks Ottonorse. Can't go wrong with X.
Posted 20 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
redeyespy wrote:
Disagree. John and Exene and the band were electric. Wish I had been old enough to see them at Whisky A Go-Go and all the other venues in their early days. The "Beyond & Back" collection has some tasty live segments. Thanks for the X, guys!!
Check the website, they still perform occassionally, usually in LA. Caught them in Baltimore several years ago and they still rocked. Thanks for the upload.
Posted 20 years ago by snarf    [ Reply ]
ottonorse wrote:
yeah - my upload made it -- finally!
Thank you ottonorse for uploading this. I bought this album when it first came out Waaaay back... My brother used to criticise the music that I played back then and thought I wasn't "with it." He stole the LP from my in more recent years! This band was ahead of it's time. It's great stuff. This fits so well into the RP library. I'll have to find my CD and upload a couple more!
Posted 20 years ago by sici    [ Reply ]
ScopArch wrote:
Good. X Like it. Play more!
Ditto! Wait a minute, I'm dittoing myself!
Posted 20 years ago by ScopArch    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
vapid. never did get the appeal.
Disagree. John and Exene and the band were electric. Wish I had been old enough to see them at Whisky A Go-Go and all the other venues in their early days. The "Beyond & Back" collection has some tasty live segments. Thanks for the X, guys!!
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
yeah - my upload made it -- finally!
Posted 20 years ago by ottonorse    [ Reply ]
vapid. never did get the appeal.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Good. X Like it. Play more!
Posted 20 years ago by ScopArch    [ Reply ]