Exene Cervenka
Photo courtesy of Bloodshot Records
Interview by Robin Cook
(October 2009)
Exene Cervenka is one of punk's most restless performers. When not trading off vocal harmonies with John Doe in X, she's published books, exhibited journal collages, fronted other bands (Auntie Christ, Original Sinners) and left Los Angeles for Idaho and, more recently, Missouri. Exene has also shown a more introspective side on acoustic solo outings, like Old Wives' Tales and, twenty years later, Somewhere Gone (now out on Bloodshot). She was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but, as she makes clear in this interview, it isn't slowing her down.
PSF: I wanted to start off by asking a couple of questions about the new record, Somewhere Gone. Was it a conscious decision to do a low-key acoustic record this time around?
Yeah. I wanted it to be (more about) the songs more than about a band.
PSF: I noticed that there’s a parallel between this and your first solo album, Old Wives’ Tales. Back then, you’d just moved to Idaho and switched gears musically, and now you’ve moved to Missouri and you’ve returned to sort of a folky sound.
Yeah, that’s true. I did do an Original Sinners record, which was a rock and roll record, when I first moved to Missouri. But yeah, it is interesting, isn’t it, that I didn’t even think about it, the fact that I moved to Idaho and then did an acoustic solo record and I moved to Missouri did a [similar] record. That’s pretty funny. I think you’ve got something there. I don’t know what it is.
PSF: I’m wondering what prompted your move to Missouri.
I was really tired of Los Angeles. I’d been there for 30 years, except for a little bit of time in Idaho. And I really wanted, always, to try living out in the country, way out in the country, in a big house, you know, with a barn and stuff like that. But I have decided, actually, I spent the summer in Los Angeles, in Southern California, I should say, and I’ve decided to come back here.
PSF: What made you decide to go back?
You know, because there’s people I want to be with. And it’s more about people than places, and I think that’s my big lesson. Although, I gotta say, (living in ) Missouri for four years, making art and music was fantastic.
PSF: What’s the music scene like there? Have you been following it?
There’s a music scene in Missouri, there’s some bands. Ha Ha Tonka is from there. And there’s a great studio in Springfield where I recorded and there’s a lot of great musicians in Springfield, Missouri. Columbia has some great nightclubs and everybody plays there. So I got to keep up on really good stuff and meet some cool people.
PSF: I just was asking because it seems that when people think of music scenes they might think of Chicago, LA, New York…
Oh, it’s nothing like that. But I didn’t want a music scene. I’ve been in the music scene my whole life. I can come back and go to Chicago and hang out, and go to New York or go to L.A. and hang out and be part of the music scene in any city. So I didn’t feel like I needed that for a period. Now, I feel like I need it again.
PSF: Penelope Houston once described the Avengers as a folk group. Her quote was: “We were just playing music that we made up for our friends. Folk music is music that’s played by regular people.” Do you agree there’s a parallel there between punk and folk?
Oh, I’ve been saying that myself for thirty years. So has John (Doe, X’s bassist). We’ve all been saying that. It’s just faster. Punk rock is just fast folk music.
PSF: I remember seeing you play guitar on X’s “Hey Zeus” tour (in 1993). When did you first pick up that instrument?
In the ‘80’s. ’86, something like that.
PSF: And I also know you were the sole guitar player for Auntie Christ. What was it like doing that, being the guitarist?
It was nerve-wracking, but it was fun. But I wouldn’t want to do it again…I’m somewhat of a guitar player, but everything that goes into it is just so much. I mean, I don’t want to get mundane in the details, but it’s hard, it’s hard to do.
PSF: For this record, I noticed it has a lot of relationship songs, which is a departure from the topical and the political stuff you’ve done in the past.
I’ve fascinated by that...
PSF: I’m wondering what it was like to start writing songs without John Doe. Were you at all nervous about that?
No. I started doing that in the late ‘80’s. Songwriting is like solving a puzzle. Every song’s like a little puzzle, and if you like puzzles, and you like creativity and you like stretching your brain out, I think songwriting is one of the most rewarding and fun things you can do. I think. I love it. I love writing songs by myself. I love writing songs with John. I love writing songs with other people, so that’s been really fun.
PSF: Do you feel you have to be in a certain mindset or a certain mood to write songs?
No, I don’t have to.
PSF: There’s also a traditional song on this record, “The Willow Tree.” Do you listen to a lot of traditional folk singers like early Joan Baez?
Yeah. I sure do. Bluegrass and stuff like that. I love that type of music. And I love gospel and old country.
That song originally, I knew Amy Ferris was coming in to play violin and cello and fiddle and so I just thought it might be fun if we worked that out. So I just recorded it. I probably did one take or two takes- which of course people would say, “Sounds like it.” Anyway, then I asked her to play fiddle with me, and we thought, “We’ll put it on the record.”
PSF: Do you listen to any British folk artist like Fairport Convention?
You know, I haven’t in a really long time. It’s something I’ve always been drawn to because it’s harder to find and you have to go out to find that.
PSF: Recently you’ve performed with the Knitters again after two decades. What was that like?
The Knitters was just pure enjoyment. We have such a good time in that band, I can’t tell you. Everybody’s a crack-up in that band. You wouldn’t know, but Dave Alvin has one of the best senses of humor of anyone I’ve ever known. He’s so funny, and so smart. Being with him is always like a privilege. And the same is true of the rest of the band. I love those guys. It’s great, great, great times. We’re gonna play the Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco this October, so we’re very excited about that. But I’m more excited about Dave Alvin and Guilty Women, who are on tour right now.
PSF: One thing I think is remarkable about a lot of the bands like X and the Blasters is that there seems to be a camaraderie between a lot of the bands in that scene.
Oh yeah. There still is. I see Robert Lopez from the Zeros- you know, El Vez. We see people all the time that are from the early days. Keith Morris. I love all those guys.
PSF: You’ve also had an exhibition of some of your journals. How did that come about?
Well, I do a lot of art now, a lot of collage art and assemblage art. And I put my journals on display... It’s just something else I like to do.
PSF: These are journals, just something very personal. Were you originally a little apprehensive about that?
I chose the pages. I made sure the pages weren’t anything (too) personal. I like to give people a little bit of a personal thing.
PSF: Can you see yourself doing another solo album in the same vein as this one?
I’m going to start recording really soon my second record with Bloodshot. I have people and everything lined up. I can’t wait.
PSF: I do notice this record has more of an old-timey sound than any of your previous solo material.
Yeah, the first two solo albums were more high end as far as sonic quality and stuff, and this is more raw, folky. But that’s what I wanted.
PSF: What about another Original Sinners or Auntie Christ album?
No, not happening.
PSF: I also wondered, you recently revealed that you were diagnosed with MS, and I’m sure a lot of fans want to know how you’re doing.
You know, it’s a challenge, but it’s a blessing- because of my friends, of all the people who’ve written to me and called me. I don’t even call people ‘fans’; I hate to call the people that like X ‘fans.’ I kind of consider them friends and neighbors. I’ve gotten to know so many people over the years, and when I came out with that diagnosis, I got so much mail from MySpace and so many letters of help and prayers and gifts and thing. It diminishes the impact of the disease. It makes it like a blessing... I’m doing great. I’m on medication and take a lot of vitamins and supplements. I’m really healthy otherwise and very happy.
PSF: I understand X has done some concerts for the charity Sweet Relief as well.
Yeah, we donate tickets and posters and records and stuff when we play for Sweet Relief. Which is a coincidence, because... that was started by Victoria Williams who has multiple sclerosis, who started Sweet Relief because of that. And I’ve spoken to her a few times and I’m continuing to work with them.
PSF: Have you been listening to any newer artists lately? Is there anyone whose work you’ve been following?
No, gee, that’s hard to say. But I really like Justin Townes Earle a lot and I guess he’s a newer artist.
PSF: What about any older acts that you might have recently discovered?
I like the Dexter Romweber Duo. Bedrock West.