XIT (band)

XIT is a Native American rock band that released two albums in the 1970s on the Motown label, and regrouped in the 1990s as a new and different group under Tom Bee. They performed a 30th anniversary reunion concert and released a DVD, XIT: Without Reservation, in 2002.

History

XIT is originally based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Members include founder and Native American Music Award winner Tom Bee, (writer of lyrics on Plight of the Redman). The original group known as Original Xit are A. Michael Martinez (singer and lead guitar on Plight), Mac Suazo (narrator and bass on Plight), Lee Herrerra (drums on Plight), and R. C. Gariss (2nd lead guitar on Plight). Original Xit has released 6 cds since 2006, "eXit From the REZ" (2006), "No eXit" (2007), "eXit nOw" (2008), "neXt eXit" (2009), "The Red Album" (2010) and "Forty Years" (2011).

"XIT" stands for "crossing of Indian Tribes", according to Tom Bee. Their music often addresses themes of historic and contemporary Native American issues. Their initial recording, 1972's Plight of the Redman, is a concept album about the changes in Native American life since the arrival of Columbus.

Albums

• Plight of the Redman, 1972
• Silent Warrior, 1973
• Entrance, 1974 (Lincoln Street Exit; early work from the sixties)
• Rainbow Rider, 1976 (A Firedrum Production, Produced & Directed By Tom Bee)
• Relocation, 1978
• Drums Across the Atlantic, 1985 (Recorded February 6, 1981 - The Tropica Club, Luzern, Switzerland)
• Without Reservation, 2002
• eXit From the REZ, 2006
• No eXit, 2007
• eXit nOw, 2008
• neXt eXit, 2009
• Wanted Alive, 2009
• The Red Album, 2010
• Forty Years, 2011

External links

• Tom Bee's Sound of America Records
• XIT on Allmusic.com