X Return to Toronto After 20-Year Hiatus for NXNE

Events like Toronto's NXNE are billed as great networking opportunities for musicians and record industry-types, but one has to wonder how much actual work is being accomplished during the blitz of never-ending concerts and high-balls.

According to John Doe, founder of the Los Angeles punk band X, hobnobbing at these fests really will do more for you than guarantee a colossal hangover. And he has 'Country Club,' his 2009 collaboration with Canadian alt-rock crooners the Sadies, to back up his claim.

"Both of us were playing at the Yep Roc showcase at Lee's Palace [in 2007] so we talked a bit before I came there about the Sadies playing three or four songs backing me up," Doe tells Spinner. "After playing together, we all got drunk and started talking about making a record.

"Usually it's just a drunken threat like, 'Yeah, we should make a record,' and nothing ever happens," he laughs. "This time it actually did."

Seeing as how his last "drunken threat" worked out so well, might the rocker make some more when he returns to NXNE this week to perform with X (one of only two shows the reunited band is playing this year) as well as doing an acoustic set with X singer Exene Cervenka? Probably not.

"I don't get as drunk as frequently as I used to," he admits. "It's a much rarer occasion, and I'm planning to live a lot longer because of that."

This will come as good news for fans hoping to see the musician in tip-top shape when X's original lineup (guitarist Billy Zoom is now back in the fold) take the stage for a free show at Yonge-Dundas Square on June 17 -- their first Toronto concert in roughly 20 years. As for what the outfit will perform to celebrate being under the shadow of the CN Tower once again, Doe says the set list will cull from X's first four releases -- so get ready for quintessential tracks like 'Hollywood' and 'White Girl.'

"We spend a lot of time learning new old songs these days," he admits.

While there might be a few covers tossed in, folks shouldn't hold their breath for anything but the tired-and-true staples from the trailblazing punks. "It's really complicated to write songs for a band that's come and gone, and come and gone," says Doe.

"There's a possibility of another live record, sure," he explains. "But the possibility of new songs seems kind of unlikely. We've been talking about it for awhile -- there are a few songs that Exene and I have done that might fit -- but it's really challenging [to find a time to record] because of scheduling."

Doe hints that he might debut some of his own fresh solo material during his acoustic set with Exene on June 18 at The Great Hall. On his own, the California transplant has delved into the realm of countrified crooners, so fans could be treated to any number of heart-strumming ballads like 'Lucky Penny' or 'Sweetheart,' both off his next solo affair, tentatively slated for release early next year.

"It's a more personal approach to the stuff we do," says Doe of the unplugged performance. "We're more relaxed and willing to tell a few stories about how songs were written."

X will play a free concert on Thurs. June 17 at Yonge-Dundas Square as part of NXNE.