X

Ian Rilen had been a founder member of the hard rock group Rose Tattoo. On leaving that band he formed X with Steve Lucas as vocalist, Ian Krahe on guitar and Steve Cafiero on drums in 1977. Krahe was renowned for playing so frenetically without a pick that his hands would bleed. Krahe died of an overdose on 20th May 1978, shortly before the group recorded its first album, 'Aspirations'. Recorded in five hours at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney, the album has been listed in the book 100 Best Australian Albums. 'Aspiration's, like all X studio albums, was produced by Lobby Loyde, who was also in Rose Tattoo (albeit after Rilen left: in 1979–1980). X split up shortly after the album's 1980 release.

During X's first break from 1980 to 1983, Ian Rilen and his wife Stephanie Rilen founded the post-punk band Sardine V. Early in the 1980s, manager Nick Chance and booking agent Gerard Schlaghecke got X back together for a tour. When informed of the tour dates, Cafiero kept his promise and refused to travel to Melbourne, citing his obligations to his family and his real estate job. On short notice, Canberra-based drummer Cathy Green, who was a big admirer of the group and already knew the songs, took Cafiero's place for the Melbourne tour. Cafiero died in December 1988 after suffering an allergic reaction to dye injected before an X-ray for a back problem, at which time Green joined X permanently. 

The band's second album, 'At Home With You' (1985) was recorded in Melbourne at Richmond Recorders in March 1985. It was produced by Lobby Loyde and engineered by Tony Cohen. The recording was a signing with Major Records, run by Max Robenstone. The album stayed in Australia's top 20 Independent charts for 29 months. A third album, 'And More' (1989), followed and, like the previous albums, was produced by Loyde. Guest musicians were Chris Wilson on harp and sax, Eric Gradman on violin and Karl Hird on sax. Although the group has not issued a studio recording since 'And More', live albums from the late 1970s as well as one from 2002 have been issued between 1997 and 2004. 

The 2002 'Evil Rumours Live At The Basement 9 December 2002' featured new drummer Cath Synnerdahl. A compilation of early unreleased material, 'X-Citations Best Of X And Rarities Vol 1 (The Early Years 1977 - 1983)' was issued in 2017. Cath Synnerdahl died by suicide on 16 July 2004. Lucas, the only remaining member of the original line-up, continues to periodically playe live under the X name, currently with bassist Kim Volkman and Hunters & Collectors drummer Doug Falconer. Ian Krahe died in 1978. Steve Cafiero died in 1988. Cath Synnerdahl died in 2004. Ian Rilen died in 2006.

Members

Steve Lucas (vocals, guitar), Ian Rilen (bass, guitar), Steve Cafiero (drums), Ian Krahe (guitar), Cathy Green (drums), Cath Synnerdahl (drums)

SINGLES
''I Don't Wanna Go Out / Waiting'' 1979 
''Mother / Halfway 'round The World'' 1984 X Musique 
''El Salvador'' Major / Phantom 
''Dream Baby / I Don't Want To Go Out'' 1987 White Label 
''And More / Getting Wet'' 1989 White Label 

ALBUMS
'Aspirations' 1980 X Records
'At Home With You' 1985 Major Records 
'And More' 1989 White Label 
'Live At The Stagedoor Tavern / Sydney / 8 July 1978' Spiral Scratch
'Evil Rumours Live At The Basement 9 December 2002' 2003 Laughing Outlaw Records

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_%28Australian_band%29