By Tom Godfrey

Hailing from Oklahoma, Crooked X is the coolest bunch of 15 year olds around. The band caught record company attention after winning second place in a contest on “The Early Show.” Since then, they have played with legends like Kiss, Skid Row, and Ted Nugent. Crooked X consists of Forrest French (lead vocals, guitar), Jesse Cooper (lead guitar, vocals), Josh McDowell (bass) and Boomer Simpson (drums). While their peers are playing Xbox worrying about pimples, Crooked X is busy rocking out with Disturbed on the Music as a Weapon tour that hit the Tsongas arena on April 15.

When and how did you guys create Crooked X?
Jesse: We formed when we were turning 11. Our drummer and singer went to school together and started the band. Eventually we found Josh.

How long have you been playing guitar?
Ha, I got my first guitar when I was 3 years old. I started seriously playing around 8 or 9. My dad had played for a long time so I just sat in the room and played along with him. I loved it.

What’s the hardest part of doing what you do?
Well, the school factor is pretty hard. But it’s all worth it. We get to play with really great bands that we know.

Is it difficult being on tour?
Yeah, it is sometimes. It’s hard when everyone is shoving to take showers at 7 in the morning. Mostly it is actually pretty boring though, a lot of driving and a lot of wasted time.

Who are your musical inspirations?
Jeez, a lot man. Pantera, Oasis, Muse, Metallica, Monster Magnet, The Mars Volta ~ all of the good stuff!

Any favorite bands to play with?
Blackstone Cherry. They are a great band and they are also some of the nicest guys.

Crooked X is on Rock Band, what is that like?
Man, it is pretty crazy! We went out and bought it when it came out and we were on it. Now we have three songs in the game! I got an expert on the drum part for one song, but I pretty much sucked at everything else.

So, do you have any guilty pleasures music-wise?
Not really, to me music is music, and if I like it then I am not ashamed to admit it.

Jonas Brothers?
Ummm, no. Definitely not.

What do you love about what you do?
There is no feeling like going on stage and absolutely loving what you do. To have a big crowd out there really feeling the music that you wrote, it’s just incredible. That’s why I am in this thing.

Check out CrookedX.com for more info on the band.