10

MONDAY

Once upon a time in the city of Lost Angels, a couple of lovebirds named John Doe and Exene Cervenka got drunk, fought and screamed, and formed the band X, which fused punkabilly guitar to lyrics about speed-freak rapists, people who view Election Day as an infringement of their inalienable right to get shitfaced, and assorted other Edge City dwellers. “We’re desperate,” they sang, “get used to it”—and desperation never sounded so heartfelt or so good. Then John and Exene went the way of Sean and Madonna, and X’s glory days came to end with the departure of Billy Zoom. Years later, Doe still has a fine voice, though his solo career has been a disappointment. Sure, his recent records—including his latest, Dim Stars, Bright Sky—have their moments, but I doubt a single one of them has turned anybody’s life upside down the way Wild Gift did mine. Come on, John, we know you got it in you—”your phone’s off the hook, but you’re not.” John Doe plays with Virgil Shaw at 8:30 p.m. at Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $12. (703) 522-8340. (Michael Little)