Frank Gargani
Legendary punk pioneer Exene Cervenka still feels The Excitement of Maybe
The X frontwoman on how to become an icon for strong, creative women by working hard and wearing clothes
By Roxanna Bennett
Published: November 22nd, 2010 | 7:00am
”What I feel about that iconic status is it takes a lot longer to achieve if you keep your clothes on than off,” 54-year-old punk pioneer Exene Cervenka says. “I just worked hard and quietly did my art.”
Cervenka’s influence in both music and art is undeniable. Cofounder of legendary L.A. band X and member of Auntie Christ, the Knitters, and the Original Sinners, Cervenka is set to release her fifth solo album, The Excitement of Maybe, in February via Bloodshot Records. To date, the former elementary school teacher has also authored five books of poetry, performed as a spoken word artist, and had her collage work made the focus of a 2005 the Santa Monica Museum of Art exhibition.
“It’s very gratifying,” Cervenka says about the holiday reissue of X’s Wild Gift, Under the Big Black Sun, and More Fun in the New World from Porterhouse Records “They’re going to have all the original artwork, including sleeves. There were only so many of those printed originally [and] lots of people ended up getting records with blank sleeves. What’s really great is I go over every detail—nothing goes out without the bands’ approval.”
“The vinyl revival is an excellent thing,” she says. “It’s given an energy boost to independent record stores.” In April 2010, Cervenka played 23 free shows at indie record stores. “That tour was just amazing. I was playing at three in the afternoon on weekdays, it was free, and no one was drinking and yelling in the back of the bar. I got to meet everyone and sign records. Lots of kids came out, and later their parents will be able to say ‘I took you to see Exene when you were five.’ That’s a cool thing. If it means a lot to their parents, it will mean something to the kids.”
Cervenka humbly maintains that she is an example of someone who “learned to make a living making art. That’s an accomplishment. When I was 14, 15, I started writing and drawing, and when I was 20, I was in a band. I spent years working hard at making art.”
“I was always conscious of living to excess. I didn’t not drink alcohol, and I’ve made some artistic choices I’m not proud of, but I don’t think I’m a bad example for people. I’m proud of all the benefits and fundraisers I’ve done. I feel like I’ve helped the society I live in.”
Enthusiastic about the accessibility of the record store tour, she says “I met so many young women who were excited just to be able to go to a show. They can’t go to a club on a school night.”
Her concern for the young women she met extends to all young women. “Saying stripping is spiritually liberating is crap. It’s patently transparent in its wrongness. I believe in men and women being completely equal and free on their own terms. This brainwashing with sex, where everyone is wearing stripper shoes... Ladies, if you can’t run in it, don’t put it on your feet. I see 14-year-old girls in these skimpy outfits traipsing around in public and wonder: how did we get so far backwards? It started with Madonna. I don’t think it was her intention to set women back, but it became fashion to be a whore. Women think they’re liberated but they’re not. Feminism should be about being a good, strong person, a credit to humanity.”
“Madonna is not unique,” she continues. “If she didn’t do it someone else was going to. It was a no-brainer. You can trace little black sweaters, tattoos, vintage clothes, and haircuts back to me.” She pauses. “You can trace today’s whore look back to Madonna.”
The set of vinyl reissues went on sale October 31 and are available through December 31 or until sold out via Porterhouse Records. X’s original lineup will also tour the West Coast this winter in celebration of Los Angeles’ 30th anniversary.
__
Exene Cervenka official site
Exene Cervenka MySpace page
Issue #44
Comments
Want to tell us what you think? Please click here to log in or just click here for quick comments
Ilka_Fly PR (about 1 year)
Exene and X - trailblazers then and now! So exciting to see those albums available on vinyl again. And sister tells it like it is! Hating Madonna counts as one of my pet peeves. That woman - oy vey!
Paul (about 1 year)
Astute observations from one who has done things her own way. Loved the comment on shoes you can't run in! Women, let your art/work speak for you, not a slutty image!
unheardmusic (7 months)
Exene has been an inspiration to me for the past 30 years and I want to thank her for...everything. If you get a chance to see her, just GO.