Hardcore question (x...x)

The addition of xBuffalo Valvex makes me wonder, when did the hardcore convention of bracketing your band name (or alias) with "x" start? We've got the Louisville band xAble To Actx from 1988-89, but I'm sure there were earlier ones.

I'm not aware of much of that happening before the late 80s.

Same here. I didn't even realize anyone was doing it as long ago as the '80s. It seems like something that caught on much later.

It's worth pointing out that it's specific to the straight edge movement rather than the whole hardcore scene.

And it's become a useful way for sxe bands to distinguish themselves from/avoid lawsuits from other previously existing bands with the same name (minus the x's).

Bands didn't actually embed the X's into their names until the '90s I believe. Granted people would make fliers in the '80s with X's around band names "xYouth Of Todayx" but those weren't official band names. That goes for every sticker xStrifex probably ever made but then again it wasn't an official band name. I don't think it was until the mid-90's at best when, if almost tongue-in-cheek, official band names actually had it as an official part of the name, just like the legendary XBuffalo ValveX.

There are plenty early 80's use of embedded artwork examples, like the later pressing of Discord's Flex Your Head comp. I believe Infest's "Slave" LP was the first to do something like having Side X and Side XX which Chain of Strength then used on their "True 'Til Death" 7".

Still don't know what band was the first to actually do it however.


Kevin