The members of XEX began playing together in 1991 when they started "Damarus", an early attempt at progressive thrash - that and other music-projects that the XEX members are/have-been in are listed on xexmetal.com/other_cds.  During the early days of "Damarus", Pete, Alf, and Bryan [now "XEX"] gained an understanding 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 Boise band.  Pete and Bryan kept on with Damarus, turning it into a five piece metal-monstrosity, cut a CD ("Cell 315 - Decomposure"), 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/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. They 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 Album paved the way for XEX to release their next full-length CD, "Triad" (2006) [(self produced], which includes twelve tracks that fflects a comfortable relationship between "chops" and melody.   "Vier" (2014) [self produced], is the musical-cumination of eight years of life since the near-death of drummer Pete Wadams, and reflects the musical-maturity that comes with two-decades (and four full-length albums) of being in a band together. 

S I D E   P R O J E C T S
(click 'linx' to hear)

Through the years, the members of "XEX" have been involved with several side projects: 

    - 'Alf' plays bass in the 'Emily Stanton Band"
    - Bryan continues to compose his own one-man-band music-projects called "Mad Maddox Productions"
    - 'Alf' has played bass in the metal band:  "Cure For The Fall" since 2012
    - 'Alf' was leed vox in the metal band:  "Calderra" (2kX-2k12). 
    - 'Bryan' is a founding-member of the country-music super-duo:  "Crazy Stoopid Country" ("super-smart!"). 
    - 'Pete' sung in the metal band:  "Soulfugid" (2k4-2k6).
    - All  three fellers' in "XEX" combined with members of two other two local metal acts ("Drawing Flies" and "Stakt) to create a "death-core" project called "Cry Havoc"(2k3-2k5).
    - 'Pete' was the drummer of the jazz quintet: "Zeppo 5" (2k-2k2).

     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.

FAQ

What does "XEX" mean?
    "XEX" is a misspelling, but correct pronunciation, of the German word for '6'  ("Sechs") - our number of fists

Wife Beaters To Spouse Beaters?
    "Wife Beaters" should be called "Spouse Beaters".  Calling these shirts "wife beaters" is a chauvinistic and unfortunate stereotype - Women can beat their spouses too!

Why Wear Beaters And Shades?
     "Beaters and shades" are battle-armor that represents an expression of creative freedom, in it's entirety, that XEX continues to strive for - breaking down the walls of musical happy-meals that people are served daily by pop-culture.  "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 'beaters and shades' at 'XEX' shows".

***
The XEX Promise To You:

"XEX' gives a hundred percent on-stage"
    "Our devotion is to the music we play, and to anyone who enjoys our tone"

Keep The Faith

Whatever yours may be...