The crowd screamed louder with anticipation Wednesday night at Harlow's as X took the stage in front of a packed house. For a band that hasn't released a new album with original material in over four years and hasn't performed in Sacramento for over two years, the crowd surprisingly sang along to most songs.

For over an hour, including an encore, singer Exene Cervenka, singer-bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer B.J. Bonebrake performed over 15 songs from their albums including two Christmas songs, Jingle Bells and Santa Claus.

Fans from all over Sacramento came for the X show. Sacramentan Craig Russell has seen X countless times beginning in the early 1980s when he lived in Los Angeles.

"I love X," he said. "Their sound is so unique and I think Excene is hot."

He wasn't alone. Several men and women professed their love for Excene as she performed. Keeping true to her punk roots, she would smile and snicker, then break out into the next verse of the song.

Ted Lattoff has been an X fan as long as he can remember.

"Ever since I saw them in 'Decline of Western Civilization: The Punk Years,' I was hooked," Lattoff said. "It's the distinct sound of Billy Zoom's guitar. Nobody sounds like him."

X formed in Los Angeles in 1977 on the forefront of the first wave of American punk. They released their first two albums to critical acclaim but not commercial success. They released 11 more albums, all failing to break the Billboard charts. They did, however, receive radio play for singles along the way. The most successful single was called "Los Angeles" from the album of the same name. Their 1982 album, "Wild Gift", was named Rolling Stone's album of the year.

With over 30 years of live performances, X has fans of all ages. Carol and Roger Berry are longtime fans.

"We have never seen them live before," Carol Berry said. "This is a big deal for us. I remember listening to them when we were younger. We dont usually come to shows, but you can't miss this."

After the encore, the crowd was still going crazy. They kept clapping and screaming, "We want X!" These punk rock scene veterans knew how to handle the crowd— always leave them wanting more.

Photo#1: X performing live on stage at Harlow's
Photo#2: X performing live on stage at Harlow's
Photo#3: Singer/bassist John Doe
Photo#4: Legendary guitarist Billy Zoom

Photos courtesy of Matthew Ceccato