X-15 (band)
Encyclopedia
X-15 is an American rock band formed in Bellingham
, Washington in 1979 by lead singer Kelly Mitchell, guitarist Eric Alton, bass player Tim Lollar, keyboardist Erik Rohrer, and drummer Todd Fuhs. They are best known as one of the most successful alternative bands operating out of Seattle during the years 1980 through 1987, leading up to the Seattle grunge explosion, and for their cult-classic song "Vaporized".
The band was one of the first to be offered a contract by Engram Records, in 1980, for a 5 song EP which featured X-15's best early material. This collection included "Necessary Evil", "Mad Again", "Chronic Modern Death", "Vaporized", and "Gimme Violation". In 1981 Engram released "The Seattle Syndrome Volume 1" compilation, which featured X-15's signature hit "Vaporized" as the lead cut. This release broadened their exposure greatly, and shortly thereafter they became internationally recognized.
museum, the members of "X-15" were asked to include "Vaporized" in a collection of NW area band songs. This 47 song compilation, collected and produced in collaboration with "Sub Pop
" records, became "Wild and Wholly" - and includes everything from "The Wailers" hit, "Louie Louie", to "The Sonics
'", "The Witch", to "Nirvana
", "Love Buzz", and "Pearl Jam
", "Even Flow". X-15 is now featured in a permanent exhibit in the "Experience Music Project
" museum.
Bellingham
- Places :Australia:* Bellingham, Tasmania, coastal hamlet in Northern TasmaniaEngland:* Bellingham, London, neighbourhood and electoral ward in the London Borough of Lewisham* Bellingham, Northumberland, villageUnited States:* Bellingham, Washington...
, Washington in 1979 by lead singer Kelly Mitchell, guitarist Eric Alton, bass player Tim Lollar, keyboardist Erik Rohrer, and drummer Todd Fuhs. They are best known as one of the most successful alternative bands operating out of Seattle during the years 1980 through 1987, leading up to the Seattle grunge explosion, and for their cult-classic song "Vaporized".
History
X-15's rise to success began in 1980. Because of their unique sounding, original songs - dubbed "melodic punk" by rock critic Daina Darzin of "Desperate Times" and "The New York Rocker" - the band quickly became a sought-after alternative to cover bands by booking agents, club promoters and college entertainment directors throughout the Pacific Northwest and in Canada. Thus X-15 routinely played not only the most notable of NW area punk clubs, such as "The Gorilla Room" and "The Smiling Buddha", but also cover-band havens such as "Astor Park" and "The Hall of Fame". The band's success at cracking the "cover-band" circuit was due in large by its perceived crossover potential. This perception was helped greatly by radio airplay. Soon X-15 was playing larger venues as headliners, and as openers for many of the larger acts of the day.The band was one of the first to be offered a contract by Engram Records, in 1980, for a 5 song EP which featured X-15's best early material. This collection included "Necessary Evil", "Mad Again", "Chronic Modern Death", "Vaporized", and "Gimme Violation". In 1981 Engram released "The Seattle Syndrome Volume 1" compilation, which featured X-15's signature hit "Vaporized" as the lead cut. This release broadened their exposure greatly, and shortly thereafter they became internationally recognized.
Experience Music Project Exhibition
For the opening of Seattle's Experience Music ProjectExperience Music Project
The EMP Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction located in Seattle, Washington...
museum, the members of "X-15" were asked to include "Vaporized" in a collection of NW area band songs. This 47 song compilation, collected and produced in collaboration with "Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
" records, became "Wild and Wholly" - and includes everything from "The Wailers" hit, "Louie Louie", to "The Sonics
The Sonics
The Sonics are an American garage rock band from Tacoma, Washington, originating from the early and mid-1960s. Among The Sonics' contemporaries were The Kingsmen, The Wailers, The Dynamics, The Regents, and Paul Revere & the Raiders...
'", "The Witch", to "Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
", "Love Buzz", and "Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
", "Even Flow". X-15 is now featured in a permanent exhibit in the "Experience Music Project
Experience Music Project
The EMP Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction located in Seattle, Washington...
" museum.
Discography
- "Vaporized" on the Seattle Syndrome Volume OneSeattle Syndrome Volume OneSeattle Syndrome Volume One is a compilation of Seattle-based bands and artists released on vinyl and cassette in late 1981 on Engram Records...
compilation, Engram Records, 1981 - "Life In General" (5-track, 12" EP), Panese Records, 1981
- "Life In General" (5-track, 12" EP), I.R.S. RecordsI.R.S. RecordsI.R.S. Records was a record label, started in the United States in 1979 by Miles Copeland III along with Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. Miles was also the manager of Wishbone Ash, The Police, and later, Sting, as well as other bands. I.R.S. was the sister label of Copeland's Illegal Records .I.R.S...
, 1983 - "Desperate Reminiscence" on the "Sounds of Young Seattle" compilation, D. Kulczyk 1983
- "Vaporized / Rebirth" (single), 1985
- "Top of the Hole" (CD), Horseantler Records, 1995
- "Vaporized" on the "Wild and Woolly" compilation, EMP / Sub Pop Records, 2000
- "Bombs and Insurance" (LP), New Soul Records, 2003