Across the history of rock music, a surprising number of innovative, influential bands’ names start with the letter “X” – from pioneering punk and metal acts to avant-experimentalists and more.
The unconventional nature of these bands’ names perhaps mirrors their willingness to forge new creative territory within their respective scenes and genres.
Here we are going to give the names of 10 bands that start with X and have made an imprint with their groundbreaking sounds or subcultural impacts despite many existing outside the limelight of mainstream fame.
| Band Name | Origin | Genre | Notable Album/Song | Unique Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X Ambassadors | Ithaca, New York | Alternative Rock | “VHS” (2015), “Renegades” | Blends rock with electronic, pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences |
| The xx | London, England | Indie Pop/Rock | “xx” (2009), “Crystalised” | Uses minimalistic, atmospheric sound with boy-girl vocal interplay |
| X Japan | Chiba, Japan | Power Metal, Visual Kei | “Blue Blood” (1989), “Endless Rain” | Pioneered flamboyant visual style and achieved international success |
| XTC | Swindon, England | New Wave, Art Pop | “Skylarking” (1986), “Dear God” | Known for sophisticated melodies, clever wordplay, and ironic humor |
| Xiu Xiu | San Jose, California | Experimental, Avant-Garde | “A Promise” (2003), “I Luv the Valley OH!” | Uses provocative lyrics, noise elements, and detuned instruments |
| X-Ray Spex | London, England | Punk Rock | “Germfree Adolescents” (1978), “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” | Fronted by iconic Poly Styrene, known for feminist and anti-consumerist themes |
| Xasthur | California, USA | Depressive Black Metal | “Subliminal Genocide” (2006), “Prison of Mirrors” | One-man project with a lo-fi, atmospheric sound that influenced depressive black metal |
| Xentrix | Preston, England | Thrash Metal | “Shattered Existence” (1990), “Balance of Power” | Part of authentic British thrash metal wave in the late 1980s |
| Xandria | Bielefeld, Germany | Symphonic Metal | “Never World’s End” (2012), “Nightfall” | Features female-fronted powerhouse vocals and fantasy-themed lyrics |
| X | Sydney, Australia | Punk Rock | “X-Aspirations” (1980), “I Don’t Wanna Go Out” | Early Australian punk band fronted by Christina Amphlett, known for their rebellious spirit |
[recommended_posts posts=”1972,1992,1995,2042,2047″]
10 Best Bands That Start With X
Get ready to discover some of the most interesting musical artists that alphabetically begin with X.
RelatedPosts
1. X Ambassadors
Listen to X Ambassadors on Spotify
Background and Formation
X Ambassadors is an alternative rock outfit originating from Ithaca, New York. Childhood friends Sam Harris (lead vocals) and Casey Harris (keyboard, saxophone) founded the group in 2009 alongside Noah Feldshuh (lead guitar) and Adam Levin (drums).
The teens performed locally and self-released two independent EPs, “The Reason” and “Love Songs Drug Songs,” before catching the attention of Imagine Dragons’ leader Dan Reynolds.
With support from Reynolds and Alex da Kid’s publishing company, X Ambassadors signed to Interscope Records in 2014 to begin recording their full-length major label debut.
Notable Albums and Hit Songs
X Ambassadors’ 2015 debut LP “VHS” generated multiple rock radio hits, including the double-platinum certified “Renegades” and alt-rock favorite “Unsteady.” The album title refers to a collection of musical and personal “videotape diaries” from the band members’ youth.
Their 2019 sophomore effort “ORION” encapsulated personal struggle and growth themes, led by the top 10 Billboard Alternative Songs single “Boom.”
Other popular songs from their catalog include “Giants,” “Ahead of Myself,” and the collaborative single “Sucker for Pain” with Lil Wayne and Imagine Dragons for the Suicide Squad film soundtrack.
Unique Musical Style and Influences
Blending rock instrumentation with contemporary electronic production and pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences, X Ambassadors have cultivated a passionate anthemic sound that retains an intimate, introspective core.
Much of their music explores perseverance in the face of insecurities and adversity. They pull from diverse sonic and lyrical inspirations ranging from rock legends like The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and The Police to modern stylistic pioneers like Dr. Dre and Radiohead.
Lead singer Sam Harris’ multifaceted soulful vocals provide a distinctive and agile element amidst the band’s eclectic mix, equally at home belting arena-sized hooks as confessional verses.
2. The xx
Origin and Band Members
London-based indie pop/rock band The xx originated in 2005 when school friends Romy Madley Croft (vocals, guitar) and Oliver Sim (vocals, bass) began rehearsing alongside Baria Qureshi (keyboards, guitar).
Seeking to expand their sound, Croft and Sim recruited Jamie Smith – known as Jamie xx – (beats, production) shortly after in 2006 when he attended their live debut performance.
In 2009, with the departure of Qureshi, the group solidified into the trio lineup of Croft, Sim, and Jamie xx that would achieve international success.
Their unique creative dynamic stems from Croft and Sim composing guitar and vocal elements which Jamie xx then samples and manipulates into textured minimalist beats.
Minimalistic and Atmospheric Sound
Led by Croft and Sim’s hushed, intimate boy-girl vocal interplay alongside sparse, clean-tone guitars often in unorthodox tunings, the xx developed a stripped-back indie pop/rock style reliant on negative space and subtly layered sonic textures.
Rhythmic elements come from Jamie xx’s electronic beats, crisp percussion samples like snare rolls, and atmospheric synth soundscapes awash in gentle reverb.
This delicate construction contrasts often melancholy lyrical themes with uplifting musical brightness, enhanced through the evocative vocal chemistry between Croft and Sim. The result is an intensely moody yet comforting aesthetic.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
The xx’s 2009 self-titled debut, recorded when all members were still teenagers, met widespread critical acclaim and won the UK’s prestigious Mercury Prize over more established artists.
Their subsequent albums have also earned BRIT Award and Grammy nominations, while Jamie xx’s 2015 solo work “In Colour” took home a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album. The trio remains influential on subsequent generations of bedroom electronic and pop artists.
3. X Japan
Pioneers of Japanese Metal and Rock
X Japan was formed in 1982 in Chiba, Japan led by drummer, pianist, and composer Yoshiki Hayashi along with lead vocalist Toshi Deyama, whom Yoshiki had known since childhood.
Seeking an edgier sound, they recruited guitarist Tomoaki “Pata” Ishizuka and bassist Hachiro “Taiji” Sawada to complete a lineup that would pioneer a flamboyant visual style of power metal and became the first Japanese act to achieve mainstream success at home and commercial visibility abroad.
Influential Visual Kei Style
X Japan spearheaded the “visual kei” movement among Japanese bands that emphasized elaborate hair, make-up, and costumes alongside glam and punk-influenced metal.
Yoshiki’s signature red and black face paint, extravagant clothing, and neck braces along with the other members’ outlandish looks would inspire countless future J-rock/metal bands.
Sonically, X Japan bridged Western influences like Iron Maiden’s dual guitar harmonies and Queen’s theatrical ambiance with melodic Japanese pop songcraft. Over rapid-fire thrash tempos, Yoshiki added eccentric neoclassical piano interludes.
International Success and Legacy
Following a string of chart-topping albums at home, X Japan pursued international fame in the early 1990s, including a record deal with Atlantic Records. However, guitarist Hideto “Hide” Matsumoto’s suicide in 1998 led Yoshiki to disband X Japan at their peak.
Reunions in 2007 and 2008 led to a comeback world tour in 2010, showing X Japan’s continued influence despite limited Western commercial visibility at their height. They remain one of Asia’s most popular and respected rock bands with over 30 million records sold.
4. XTC
New Wave and Post-Punk Roots
Hailing from Swindon, England, XTC took shape in 1972 built around the songwriting partnership of guitarist Andy Partridge and bassist Colin Moulding. With drummer Terry Chambers and keys/guitar player Barry Andrews, XTC’s frenetic early punk-inspired art pop style landed them New Wave hits in the late 1970s/early 1980s like “Making Plans for Nigel” and “Senses Working Overtime.”
Evolution of Musical Style Throughout Career
After Chambers and Andrews departed in the early 80s, XTC’s sound progressed into pastoral 1960s-inspired pop/rock led by Partridge and Moulding’s observational storytelling and clever wordplay.
They traveled through diverse phases like the glossy power pop of 1983’s “Mummer,” the lush orchestral arrangements on 1986’s “Skylarking” (produced by Todd Rundgren), the psychedelia-tinged Britpop of “Oranges and Lemons,” and the darkly cynical chamber folk palette of “Nonsuch.”
Across stylistic shifts, XTC retained sophisticated melodies and eccentric, ironic humor.
Critically Acclaimed Albums and Singles
While lacking major commercial visibility, especially in the US, XTC earned critical acclaim as a pop craftsman throughout their career.
Signatures songs like “Dear God,” vicious political satire “The Mayor of Simpleton,” the jangly “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead,” and Elvis Costello co-write “The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul” highlighted XTC’s artistic depth.
Their final two LPs “Apple Venus” and “Wasp Star” ended their catalog on ambitious high notes in the late 1990s before going on indefinite hiatus.
5. Xiu Xiu
Experimental and Avant-Garde Approach
Led by Jamie Stewart, Xiu Xiu was formed in 2002 crafting a provocative, avant-garde style of indie experimental rock colored by disparate genres like punk, ambient, noise, modern classical, and Asian folk music.
Featuring angular guitar riffs, analog synths, and pulsating percussion augmented through tape manipulations, their abrasively textural sound intentionally defies conventions of pop song structure and melodic clarity.
Stewart also incorporates intentionally detuned instruments and custom noise devices built by his father.
Emotionally Charged Lyrics and Themes
Xiu Xiu’s lyrics confront intensely intimate matters like sexuality, politics, violence, self-loathing, and childhood trauma. Stewart delivers cryptic poetic verses in a raw, untrained vocal style that conveys vulnerability and catharsis.
His high-pitched voice alternates between innocent vulnerability and confrontational creepiness against the band’s ominous sonic backdrops. The disturbing discomfort this elicits in listeners provides a portal into empathizing with harsh human experiences.
Collaborations and Side Projects
In addition to leading Xiu Xiu, Jamie Stewart has collaborated with artists across the experimental scene, including indie singer-songwriter Carla Bozulich, spoken word performance artist Eugene S. Robinson, and electronic act The Dead Science.
He also participates in several side projects such as the noise rock duo IBOPA and the post-punk outfit Cold Cave. These outlets demonstrate Stewart’s creative versatility.
6. X-Ray Spex
Listen to X-Ray Spex on Spotify
Punk Rock Icons of the Late 1970s
Led by Anglo-Somali frontwoman Poly Styrene, X-Ray Spex burst onto London’s germinating punk scene in 1977 alongside peers like The Sex Pistols and The Clash.
Their provocative debut single “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” and lone 1978 album “Germfree Adolescents” became archetypes for the punk, post-punk, and alternative rock movements to follow.
Poly Styrene’s Powerful Vocals and Lyrics
With her confrontational vocal stance and individualistic sartorial style of dental braces and colorful dayglo clothes, Poly Styrene (born Marianne Joan Elliott-Said) conveyed infectious punk energy and self-empowering feminine strength.
Her smart, sarcastic lyrics condemned consumerism and prescribed nonconformity while playfully mocking stereotypical gender roles. Hits like “The Day the World Turned Day-Glo” exemplified her message.
Impact on the Punk and Feminist Movements
Though short-lived initially, X-Ray Spex’s legacy looms large as Poly Styrene remains a punk icon for strong female voices. Her songs stand today as symbols of proto-feminist punk ethos promoting self-acceptance and questioning societal assumptions about femininity at a pivotal cultural moment in the UK.
7. Xasthur
One-Man Black Metal Project
The brainchild of Scott “Malefic” Conner based in Southern California, Xasthur began circa 1995 as an intensely personal and raw one-man black metal band.
Conner performed tortured screams alongside droning, bleakly distorted guitars, bass, and keyboards – recorded in his bedroom on cheap equipment for an immersive lo-fi effect.
Lo-Fi and Atmospheric Sound
In contrast to traditional black metal’s aggressive tremolo riffing, Xasthur’s songs unfold slowly through melancholic acoustic interludes and malicious rasps drowned in walls of hissing feedback and rumbling low end.
Conner utilizes acousmatic manipulations of noise, speakers, and ambiance to create a haunting, lonely soundscape. This abrasively repetitive aesthetic gave rise to “depressive suicidal black metal.”
Influence on the Depressive Black Metal Subgenre
While remaining deep in the metal underground, Xasthur was seminal in developing depressive black metal – a nihilistic offshoot focused on abyssal despair, fragility, hatred, and suicide rather than traditional Satanic themes.
Xasthur’s harshly immersive walls of sound established the template for like-minded depressive acts to follow. Conner ended the project in 2010 before resurfacing with softer neofolk output.
8. Xentrix
British Thrash Metal Band
Formed in Preston, England in 1985, Xentrix was part of an authentic wave of British thrash metal alongside contemporaries like Onslaught and Sabbat.
Through hardcore punk energy and palm-muted guitar riffing akin to Bay Area thrash, Xentrix brought brutal mosh-inducing thrash to the UK scene. Their 1990 debut “Shattered Existence” was hailed as a landmark British thrash album.
Contributions to the UK Thrash Scene
Blazing fast dual guitar harmonies and intricate solos over pounding percussion, Xentrix mirrored influences like Testament, Megadeth, and pioneering UK crossover act Sabbat. Songs like “Balance of Power” and “No Compromise” encapsulated their authentic thrash credentials.
Through extensive touring and word-of-mouth tape trading exposure, Xentrix gained popularity leading Britain’s underground metal circuit before the subgenre waned commercially in the early 1990s.
Discography and Notable Releases
Xentrix issued two more studio albums after their debut – 1991’s “For Whose Advantage” and 1996’s “Dilute to Taste” – before initially disbanding as thrash metal popularity declined internationally. They later reunited in the early 2000s for festival appearances.
While not reaching the fame of American thrash bands, Xentrix held a vital influence in spearheading UK thrash metal awareness and intensity through breakneck songs and high-energy live shows.
9. Xandria
German Symphonic Metal Band
Xandria is a German symphonic metal outfit formed in 1997 by guitarist/keyboardist Marco Heubaum and vocalist Lisa Middelhauve.
Blending power metal’s energetic guitar work with bombastic orchestral electronica and classically-trained soprano vocals, their grandiose sound falls into gothic and melodic metal subgenres.
Female-fronted Powerhouse Vocals
With four different lead vocalists across their catalog, soaring melodic vocals have been a calling card of Xandria’s style.
Current singer Dianne van Giersbergen stands out through her multi-octave range and agile transitions between operatic wailing and crisp pop melodicism. The band balances anthemic hooks and metal intensity with ambitious choral arrangements.
Fantasy-Themed Lyrics and Concepts
Fantastical topics like mythology, witchcraft, vampires, and haunting visual themes permeate Xandria’s conceptual lyrics and musical motifs.
Van Giersbergen’s ethereal mezzo-soprano evokes a mystical Gothic aura against the band’s thunderous metal foundation for an escapist auditory experience. Songs like “Nightfall,” “Sacrificium,” and “Call of Destiny” encapsulate their grandiose aesthetic.
10. X
Australian Punk Rock Band
Hailing from Sydney, X stands alongside Radio Birdman and The Saints as first-wave forerunners of Australian punk rock, forming in 1977 fronted by the late Christina Amphlett’s powerful vocals. Their aggressive rockabilly-tinged punk channeled feminine defiance to suburban boredom and conformity.
Aggressive Sound and Politically Charged Lyrics
With guitarist Ian Rilen’s distorted guitar, bassist Bill Hardie’s throbbing low end, and drummer Steve Lucas’ frenetic beats, X cultivated a tough pub rock edge for Amphlett’s rebellious snarling charisma. Songs like “Suck Suck” and “Dipstick” condemned misogynistic masculinity.
Despite censorship due to provocative content, X remained committed to political messaging.
Importance in the Australian Punk Scene
Though finding little mainstream visibility against emerging pop bands, X highly influenced future Aussie punk through their outsider ethos.
Signature cuts like “I Don’t Wanna Go Out” and their lone studio LP “X-Aspirations” encapsulated the vitriolic working-class restlessness of Sydney’s formative punk spirit. Amphlett remains an antipodean icon as one of punk’s pioneering female frontwomen.
Band that starts with x: Wrap Up
From the mascaraed Japanese metal of X Japan to Australia’s proto-punk provocateurs X, the bands profiled illustrate “X” as a harbinger of sonic innovation and cultural rebellion.
Through small underground tape-trading networks or acclaimed albums, these groups pioneered new styles, confronted social norms, and gave voice to feelings often left silent.
The scope shows that fame does not always equal influence. We hope you have discovered some audacious new acts to explore in the vibrant world of “X bands.” As exemplified, the letter X marks the spot for creative musical gems.
