Crooked X

Crooked X are a young group from Oklahoma who play hard rock heavily indebted to ‘70s and ‘80s icons like Metallica, AC/DC and Kiss. One of their chief selling points is their youth – the four members of Crooked X were only 14 when they released their full-length debut in 2009. Crooked X’s music unapologetically channels the sound of the band’s heroes, worrying less about breaking new ground than paying homage to well-known influences.

Crooked X’s members all lived in Coweta, Oklahoma – frontman Forrest French, guitarist Jesse Cooper, bassist Josh McDowell and drummer Boomer Simpson. Crooked X started writing songs around 2005 when the band members were only 11, but their real break came when they entered a talent competition hosted by the CBS morning program Early Show. Their strong showing drew the interest of managers, which lead to supporting tours with Kiss and Ted Nugent.

Signing with EMI in 2008, Crooked X released a three-song digital-only EP called Till We Bleed in the fall of that year, building off the momentum they generated from having their song “Nightmare” featured in the videogame Rock Band.

Debut Album:

Crooked X returned in January 2009 with their full-length debut. Crooked X included all three titles from Till We Bleed, along with seven new tracks.

Crooked X Lineup:

Jesse Cooper – guitar
Forrest French – vocals, guitar
Josh McDowell – bass
Boomer Simpson – drums

“Adrenaline” (Purchase/Download)
“Nightmare” (Purchase/Download)
“Rock N Roll Dream” (Purchase/Download)

Crooked X Discography:

Crooked X (2009)

Forrest French, on Crooked X's first show.
"Our first show was my sister's birthday party … I think it was fifth or sixth grade. After the show, we thought we did awesome, we thought we were the stuff. Then we saw the video and we were like 'Oh, we have a lot of work to do.'"

Jesse Cooper, citing Metallica and Alice in Chains as some of his influences.
"Most of the music I listen to was made before I was born."

Boomer Simpson, on Crooked X's decision to pursue music as a career.
"When we were first starting out, my dad and Jesse's dad told us, 'Alright, if you guys want to get serious, do it now and we'll book you shows and stuff - if not, you can be a garage band and make it like that.' And we all agreed that this is what we want to do, this is how we want to make our living."

Forrest French, on his message to his fellow teens.
"I'm a really strong Christian. If you're being pressured in life and people try to get you to use drugs and stuff, look to God for stuff."

Crooked X Trivia:

• Crooked X taped a documentary special for MTV called Rock N Roll Dream that chronicled their unlikely path to success at such a young age.
• Forrest French and Boomer Simpson played on the same grade-school football team.
• Jesse Cooper claims to have learned the guitar when he was 3.