Raidia Visual-X, real name Rhaine Heissinger, was a member of LA Glam band Zolar X. The band was founded in 1973 and it became known for dressing and acting like space-aliens. They spoke an 'alien language' of their own invention. They are referred to as "Los Angeles' first glam rock band" in the 1998 book Glam! Bowie, Bolan and the Glitter Rock Revolution by Barney Hoskyns. The band had a string of musicians coming and going, here the list of their names: Ygarr Ygarrist, Zory Zenith, Romm Eclipse, Raidia Visual-X, Moto Bass Unit, Eon Flash, Ufoian Ufar, Zany Zatovian, Jett Starsystems and Qazar Quantor.
Zolar X enjoyed regional success as a live act, and national exposure via Lenny Kaye's Rock Scene Magazine, but commercial success eluded them. The band recorded, but were unable to get signed to a record label. In 1982 they released one independent record, Timeless, a collection of demos, on Pyramid Records. Zolar X's founder was vocalist, composer, and pianist Stephen Della Bosca, who later renamed himself "Ygarr Ygarrist", upon forming Zolar X. Ygarrist played in San Francisco bands The Hedge, and Bosca, before moving to Los Angeles in 1972, with Bruce Courtois (Zany Zatovian). Ygarrist and Zatovian met singer Zory Zenith at Rodney's English Disco. Zenith was the former drummer of the Los Angeles rock band, Shady Lady. Zenith not only sang, in Zolar X, but performed intricate mime routines onstage. The lineup was completed by drummer Craig Rhinehart (Eon Flash), a former member of San Francisco hard rock band Legs Diamond. Zolar X's week-long stint at the Troubadour with Jobriath was televised locally in Los Angeles. Zolar X were interviewed on one of the first episodes of Tom Snyder's The Tomorrow Show in 1974, along with Rodney Bingenheimer, Sable Starr and Chuck E. Starr.
In 1974, Zolar X recorded a two song demo, "Space Age Love" b/w "Energize Me", at Crystal Studios. They pressed approximately 10 vinyl singles of these tracks, which were given to various record companies. Ygarrist's sister kept one of them, which was used to press a limited edition '45 of this rare artefact in 2005.
Zatovian and Flash's departure in 1975 resulted in Ygarrist recruiting bass player Ufoian Ufar (Tom Lee) and drummer Romm Eclipse (Ron Eiseman). Zory left to pursue religious studies. Ygarr, Ufoian, and Romm briefly played out and recorded as The Spacers. Zory soon rejoined and Zolar X recorded with the record producer and audio engineer Jim Dickenson, at Memphis' Ardent Studios, Romm left, and Eon rejoined in 1977. While Zolar X were on hiatus, Ygarr formed another Los Angeles punk band, The Spys, with Rock Bottom. The two wrote a collection of new songs in one night, which they released as the single "Rich Girl" b/w "No Good, Deathtrap". Zolar X regrouped in 1979, but Zory Zenith was promptly fired. The band recorded as a three piece, with Ygarr handling all the lead vocals. Zory was asked to rejoin, and in 1980, Zolar X recorded one last time at Army St. Studios in San Francisco.
Longtime fan Jello Biafra released a deluxe edition of Timeless in late 2004. Zolar X reformed in 2005 and played for the first time since 1981. Ygarr and Eon Flash were joined by new bass player Jett Starsystems, formerly Jeff Porter, a former DJ at Rodney's English Disco, and founding member of Voodoo Church. Zolar X still play with metallic amp casings, silver platforms and backdrops, antennae headgear, and ever-changing outfits faithful to the 1970s glam era. They toured nationally in the United States in 2005-2006. In June 2007, Zolar X self-released a limited edition CD compilation entitled ZAP! You're Zolarized, which previewed four songs from the upcoming Alternative Tentacles release, and contained unreleased vintage Zolar X music, as well as soundtrack music from the upcoming Zolar X documentary.
