Rock sick list: Exene Cervenka

X's Exene Cervenka has been told she's got MS:

After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time.

Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it.
I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-1990's; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.

While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that is slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records.

My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health--many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people.

Exene scene

Some good news: Exene Cervenka has signed a deal for a new album with Bloodshot Records; Rob Miller of Bloodshot is giddy with delight:

It would not be an overstatement to suggest we would not exist if it were not for our deep and longstanding love of Exene's bands X and the Knitters. Life is good when your heroes, and inadvertent mentors, turn out to be really, really cool off the stage and, through the twists and turns and reverberations of our lives, we get to work together."

Of course, it's not only small labels that get that glow - we understand that there are some tax-specialists accountants that Guy Hands has been thrilled to get the opportunity to work alongside at EMI.

X marks the spots

They're probably not going to make it to the UK, but X have announced an American anniversary tour:

19 - Chicago, Ill. @ Metro/Smart Bar
21 - Madison, Wis. @ Barrymore Theatre
22 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ The Cabooze
25 - Denver, Colo. @ Bluebird Theater
26 - Aspen, Colo. @ Belly Up
28 - Boise, Idaho @ Big Easy Concert House
29 - Portland, Ore. @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
30-31 - Seattle, Wash. @ Showbox

April
9 - Solana Beach, Calif. @ Belly Up
10 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Henry Fonda Theatre

This isn't, it should be stressed, like the Sex Pistols reunions.

As they won't come to us, we'll go to them: This is Your Phone's Off The Hook, But You're Not: