A few years ago, CB sent me a link for a guy named John Doe (John Nommensen Duchac). At first, not knowing CB well at the time, I thought he had to be mistaken. A definition for John Doe is “originally in legal use as a name of a fictitious plaintiff.” It’s often used to identify an unidentifiable man. I knew nothing about X at that point. I was in for a pleasant surprise when I heard this man. He has many genres covered plus a very successful acting career. Doe is worth checking out if you haven’t already.
He was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois. He moved to Los Angeles in the late ’70s, where he co-founded X in 1977, along with singer Exene Cervenka, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer DJ Bonebrake. The band’s sound combined punk rock, rockabilly, and other genres, creating a style that set them apart from other punk bands at the time.
He started his solo career in 1990 with the album Meet John Doe and since, he has released 15 albums. Unlike a lot of the X material, his solo material seems to go to alt-country or Americana. X regrouped as well in the early 90s and he also is an actor. He has appeared in movies such as Ring of Fire, ER, Road House, and Great Balls of Fire! to name a few. He has 102 credits as an actor alone.
The Golden State was released in 2007 on his solo album A Year in the Wilderness, the track showcases Doe’s blend of punk and country influences. The song is a duet that has featured various artists, including Canadian Kathleen Edwards on the original album version. The album peaked at #42 on the US Heatseeker Charts in 2007.
I like all the versions below including The original album version because Kathleen Edwards sounds so good with Doe. He also has a version with Eddie Vedder and Corin Tucker.
This version below is with Eddie Vedder and Corin Tucker.
The Golden State
You are the hole in my headI am the pain in your neckYou are the lump in my throatI am the aching in your heartWe are tangledWe are stolenWe are living where things are hidden
You are something in my eyeAnd I am the shiver down your spineYou are on the lick of my lipsAnd I am on the tip of your tongueWe are tangledWe are stolenWe are buried up to our necks in sand
We are luckWe are ]fateWe are the feeling you get in the golden stateWe are loveWe are hateWe are the feeling I get when you walk away….Walk away
Well you are the dream in my nightmareI am that falling sensationYou are not needles and pillsI am your hangover morningWe are tangledWe are stolenWe are living where things are hidden
We are luckWe are fateWe are the feeling you get in the golden stateWe are loveWe are hateWe are the feeling I get when you walk awayWalk awayWalk away
You are the hole in my headYou are the pain in your neckYou are the lump in my throatI am the aching in your heart
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