52x formed in Athens, Georgia in 1986 with John Spinello on vocals, Alex Auxier on guitar, Karl Straub on bass, and Chris Gamble on drums. They signed with Elektra Records and released their debut album 'Hang On' in 1988. The single 'Can You' from that album became a hit on the Billboard Modern Rock chart.
Their later albums 'Kiss the Gold Noose' in 1990 and '13' in 1992 showed a shift toward more experimental material. The song 'Cigarette Lighter' from '13' drew criticism for its depiction of domestic violence, though the band defended it as reflecting real experiences.
Spinello's struggles with addiction and mental health contributed to periods of inactivity, and the band disbanded in the mid-1990s. They reunited briefly in 2008 for some live shows. Spinello died in 2017.
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