In The Beginning...

     The members of XEX began playing together in 1991 when they started Damarus, an early attempt at progressive thrash.  During this time, Pete, Alf, and Bryan learned the meaning of musical freedom - often writing songs that took over ten minutes to play and consisted of every tempo and timing extreme they could think of.  That went on until 1993 when Alf left to play bass in Midline, another great local band.  Pete and Bryan kept on with Damarus, turning it into a five piece metal monstrosity, cut a CD, and did fairly well in Boise as an original thrash group until the project ended in 1996.  After Damarus, Pete and Bryan continued writing music but had trouble finding a bassist who shared their musical vision.  About the same time, Alf had left Midline and decided to go back to college.  A year passed, and in 1997 Pete was reunited with Alf in a college astronomy class and they decided to get the original band together and jam.  It was soon discovered that the musical connection that the three had shared years ago was still there, and even though they didn't have a regular place to practice, XEX was born.  The project began as an excuse for old friends to get together, drink beer, and make noise.   But what began as a joke quickly became a serious attempt to be a "good" joke - one that is entertaining and pleasing to musicians and listeners alike.  

     Soon after it was formed, XEX began playing shows, even though they didn't have a steady rehearsal space.  Bryan, Alf, and Pete immediately began networking with other musicians and  gaining a reputation for professionalism and musicality.  After five years of performing or rehearsing a couple times a month, the band finally found a steady rehearsal space, decided it was time to get serious, and quickly recorded their first CD, "Anything Goes"(2002) - boasting 11 tracks of XEX's earliest material.  The CD was recorded in the style of a demo - only spending one weekend of recording and two days of mixing.  Local sales of the CD exceeded expectations, and online sales included orders to Iceland, Germany, Denmark, and Spain.  One year later, XEX was back in the studio recording it's second album, "Mixed Signals"(2003), which includes a whopping 17 tracks in 65 minutes of music.  The band put much more time and effort into this CD, which gave it more of a professional sound than it's predecessor. The tracks are much heavier and darker with some tongue-in-cheek humor scattered throughout.  In 2005, XEX released their next metal offering, "Not For Resale EP" which was completely self-produced and included five cover songs (re-interpretations) of rock and country FM radio classics, and two uniquely released originals.  This CD paved the way for XEX to release their next full-length CD, "Triad" (self produced), which includes twelve tracks that define the term "progressive metal".
 

     XEX was formed by three friends who were interested in only writing music that they loved, without any of the stereotyping and pigeon-holing involved in the modern music industry.  XEX strives to create an eclectic range of music, influenced by many genres, which represents the feelings of the artists.  It's not about the politics, or the image, or even being popular.  It's about the musical freedom and staying true as an artist.  XEX stands for playing music for music's sake, and delivering that music to anyone who wants it.

     The word "XEX" has no definition in the English language.  It is, however, the symbol and representation of our music - an exorcise of our freedom of expression.  It is a symbol that is as unique as our music.

    "Wife Beaters" should be called "Spouse Beaters".  Calling these shirts "wife beaters" is a chauvinistic and unfortunate stereotype - Women can beat their spouses too! (as long as they are wearing a spouse beater, of course)   

     "Beaters and shades" are the battle armor we wear.  Spouse beaters and shades represent XEX and the expression of creative freedom, in it's entirety, that XEX continues to strive for - breaking down the walls of musical happy meals that we are served daily by multinational corporations.  Shades and beaters are our symbol, just as much as our name. We strongly encourage anyone who is empowered by the XEX message to support us, and yourselves, by wearing spouse beaters and shades to XEX shows.

     XEX will never, under any circumstances, begin a show unless we are properly attired in spouse beaters and shades.  Our devotion is to the music we play, and to anyone who enjoys that music.  We will always give one hundred percent to a crowd, and to any individual who asks it.