The X-Statics were a pop / rock band that performed together for approximately a decade, from the early 1980s until the 1990s. Fronted by keyboardist Jon Arthur, they were from 1983 to 1985 the house band at Franco's All-Nite Affair, a bottle club located at 9th and Douglas Avenues. In 1984, they also had a few gigs at Franco's Lounge, which was then the largest capacity single venue in town.
During most of that time, their lineup also included lead guitarist Bobby DeVito, bassist Arthur Hall, drummer Scott Slusser, and tech "Sticks" Johnston. Their song list covered hits by The Cars, Ramones, INXS, Tom Petty, John Cougar (later Mellencamp) and others with mostly either current or recent radio hits. On July 4, 1984 the band backed-up Mike Danger's Chainsaw Massacre, where Danger sang, played bass guitar, took a sledgehammer to a TV set, and sawed a surfboard in half.
Not long after Franco's All-Nite Affair closed in early February 1985, guitarist DeVito and bassist Hall left the band. The loss of the house gig was followed by several members being replaced, and the band performing at both intown and out-of-town venues. It was during guitarist Ron Hill's membership in the late 1980's that the band made a music video. By that time, Arthur was taking employment as a radio DJ, and the band members slowly stopped performing together. By the early 1990's the group had dissolved. As of 2015, Arthur was still a DJ - for a conservative radio format.
Plans for an X-Statics reunion for the annual Pensacola Musicians Memorial concerts have been in effect since 2010, but have yet to come to pass.
