Featuring members of Southern California roots rock and punk pioneers X and The Blasters, The Knitters began with a few informal jam sessions between mutual friends. Now after nearly 20 years of sporadic live performances and just one album of cover tunes, originals, and revamped X songs under their belt, The Knitters have gained a widespread loyal following of their own.

The Knitters stitch together a rollicking sound, with equal parts country, rockabilly and blues. Each band member then adds their own signature elements—the scorching leads of Blasters guitar slinger Dave Alvin, the poetic lyrics and beautifully intertwining melodies of X’s John Doe and Exene Cervenka, and the rock solid rhythm section of D.J. Bonebrake on drums and Jonny Ray Bartel on double bass.

“We would on occasion hang out, and just play some songs -- we were all very enamored with country music at the time,” said Doe of the collaboration.

After releasing their one and only record, “Poor Little Critter On The Road,” in 1985, The Knitters parted, each performing for other bands.

Occasionally, though, the band members receive invitations from promoters to regroup and play shows every few years, which is exactly what led to their two consecutive shows in San Francisco on Feb. 13 and 14.

“We have some pretty tight schedules, and whenever we have a chance to do The Knitters again, we do it, sort of by popular demand. We have fun doing it,” said Doe.

He continued: “And it seems to be meaningful, because so many kinds of music now are disposable, you know, like Avril Lavigne. So when there is something like X or even the Knitters, to a degree, available, even though it’s not Johnny Cash or something, it is a little more substantial and meaningful. It’s been there for a while, and it comes from a specific scene and a specific era, so in that it’s a little more meaningful.”

The Knitters were the inspiration and precursor to the alt-country scene long before the term was even coined, and in 1999 a tribute record, “Poor Little Knitter On The Road,” was released, featuring bands such as The Old 97’s and Whiskeytown.

“I thought it was very flattering, but totally bizarre, that we would do a tribute to country music, and then they would do a tribute to our tribute," said Doe. "I think we were all pretty shocked that it (the Knitters record) had that much impact on people."

Doe, who has released several solo records and appeared in film and television, including a bit part in the movie "Boogie Nights," takes a playful perspective when viewing The Knitters reunions.

“If I felt, or any of us felt, that we sucked, we wouldn’t do it. Some people could make the case that we’re tarnishing the legend, or what we had 20 years ago...But I don’t care, we’re having fun, and it gives people who didn’t have the chance to see it (then) the opportunity to," said Doe.

He continued, “I think we put a little more time and effort into X than we do the Knitters. The Knitters is more for fun, and fartin’ around, and if we screw up, then the audience can laugh along with us...hopefully.”

If You Go:

The Knitters
Friday Feb. 13
9 p.m.
Slim’s, 333 11th St.
San Francisco
$25
(415) 255-0333

Saturday Feb. 14
9 p.m.
The Great American Music Hall
859 O’Farrell
San Francisco
$25
(415) 885-0750