Although initially known as an anarcho-punk band associated with the Dutch post-punk ultra scene, over the decades the Ex's sound has gradually developed into its current form of highly intricate, experimental punk/post-punk/no wave-inspired work.[4][5] This sound includes a combination of diverse genres and styles, such as noise, folk, world music (including folk music from Hungary, Turkey, Ethiopia, Congo, and Eritrea),[6]free jazz, and crossovers between these genres.[7] Other examples of branching out stylistically include the improvised double album Instant and a release under the moniker Ex Orkest, a 20 piece big band assembled for performances at Holland Festival. "One reason we are hard to describe is that we never had an education at music school, and in that sense we are not influenced by any traditional playing," explained Katherina Bornefeld, drummer for the Ex since 1984.[7] The Ex's lyrics consist of straightforward statements about politics and abuses in society. The band enjoys international acclaim for this socially critical message, as well as for the energetic, rhythmic, atonal guitar playing, and for the furious vocals of singer G.W. Sok, who was replaced in recent years by Arnold de Boer of Zea.[8] The Ex have released over 20 full-length albums.
History
The 1980s
In 1979, the Ex was founded by singer Jos Kley (better known as G.W. Sok), guitarist Terrie Hessels, drummer Geurt, and bassist René.[2] During the first six months that the Ex existed, they spent most of their time and effort on graffiti advertising. The band's name was chosen because it was the shortest name on their list, and that made it easy to spray quickly on a wall.[9] Rumours circulated that the choice of what instruments the band members played was drawn by straws.[2][7][10]
The band debuted with a song titled "Stupid Americans" on the Utreg-Punx vinyl 7" compilation released by Rock Against records in Rotterdam. In June 1980, the Ex released their first EP, All Corpses Smell the Same. The most striking features of the music are the strongly rhythmic guitar attacks and the dogged way in which Sok spit the words into the microphone. The lyrics deal with politics, squatting, and social injustice. The band's first full-length album, Disturbing Domestic Peace, was released later the same year. Shortly after these recording were released, Geurt left the band and was replaced by Willem from the Rondos. René left the band and was replaced by Bas on the bass.
In 1982, the Ex released their second album, History is What's Happening; this album is seen as a musical evolution. Many of the songs were created during live performances. Two tracks by the Ex were included on the compilation album Oorwormer. In 1982, Willem left the band and was replaced by Sabien on the drums.[2]
In April 1983, the Ex released their second album, Tumult, produced by Jon Langford of the Mekons. A few months later, their 12 inchGonna Rob The Spermbank was also released; this record contained four songs that were also recorded during the recording session of Tumult. In 1983, the Ex also released the album Dignity Of Labor, which appeared as a box containing four 7" singles and a book. The singles each contained eight untitled tracks that deal with the demise of the Wormer-based Van Gelder paper factory. Bas left the band and was replaced by the new bassists Luc and Joke. In the fall of 1983, the Ex did their first tour of England. A product of this tour is the split 12" The Red Dance Package that the Ex released in collaboration with the band Alerta.
During this period, the Ex consisted of five band members: G.W. Sok, Terrie (guitar), Sabien (drums), nl:Luc Ex (bass), and Joke (bass). Band members did not use surnames, often adopting "Ex" as their last name. This line-up released the double album Blueprints For A Blackout in March 1984. This album included more improvisation, and new musical instruments were used, including violin, oboe, marimba, and oil barrels. Later the same year the band changed drummers: Sabien was replaced by Kat on drums. Throughout the year, the Ex organised a benefit tour in the Netherlands together with Morzelpronk, Zowiso, and agitprop poet Nico van Apeldoorn. The Ex also toured Switzerland together with the Dutch punk band Svätsox.[2]
In 1985, the Ex released the album Pokkeherrie, a return to the band's earlier sound, largely dominated by Terrie's guitar. Joke also left the band in 1985. From the tour through Switzerland the previous year, the Ex released a split cassette with Svätsox. The Ex also toured Switzerland again, with bands If and Zowiso.
In 1986, John van de Weert, former singer and guitarist of the Rondos briefly joined the Ex, and together they recorded the double single 1936: The Spanish Revolution.[3] The double single contained Spanish folk songs, and was accompanied by a photo book. The single was a commercial success, especially in England, where it was distributed on Ron Johnson Records. The Ex rounded out the year by touring with the British group The Membranes.
In 1987, The Ex released their sixth album Too Many Cowboys, which consisted partly of live material. A flexi disc containing the song "Wie Vermoordde Hans K.?" by Nico van Apeldoorn accompanied the album. That same year the band teamed up with the English punk band Chumbawamba under the name Antidote to record the single Antidote de Destroy Fascism! which is released on Loony Tunes Records. The Ex also did an extensive tour of Eastern Europe, including Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary.[10] They recorded a concert in Wroclaw, Poland and release it on cassette.
In 1988, John left the band, and was replaced by guitarist Nicolette. The Ex also founded the record label Ex Records. This label released the album Hands Up! You're Free, a collection of songs recorded during the Peel Sessions in 1983, 1985 and 1986. The Ex also recorded Aural Guerrilla, produced by Langford, and released the single "Rara-rap", an indictment of apartheid. They provided some songs for the sampler Intifada, to support the struggle of the Palestinians. In 1988, the Ex toured England, then Italy (with Chumbawamba), and Greece and Hungary.
In 1989, the Ex toured the Netherlands and Switzerland with the Scottish band Dog Faced Hermans. As a consequence, DFH's drummer Wilf Plum collaborated on recordings for the Ex's next recording, the double album Joggers & Smoggers released later in November of the same year. This album is more experimental and jazzy, and features many guest musicians, including members of Sonic Youth and Ab Baars. The Ex performed this album live at the Dissonanten festival in Rotterdam. Nicolette left the band at this point. In October, the Ex launched their first American tour with the Canadian band NoMeansNo; they performed twice in CBGBs, and recordings of those shows were later broadcast by IKON.[2]
In 1990 the Ex collaborated with The Mekons on the English record label Clawfist. A collaboration also began with the experimental cellistTom Cora.[2]
In 1991, the Ex started their singles project. They offered a subscription where subscribers paid 36 guilders to receive a new single every two months for a year. Each single contained four songs recorded during a performance at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, where the Ex was supported by guest musicians Ab Baars, Han Bennink, and Wolter Wierbos.
In 1991, the Ex released a new album Scrabbling at the Lock, a collaboration with Tom Cora. This album became the group's best-selling record to date, with the underground hit song State of Shock. Andy, guitarist in the band Dog Faced Hermans, joined the Ex during this period.[6] At the beginning of January 1992 the band received the BV Popprijs '91 at Noorderslag.
In 1993, the Ex and Tom Cora teamed up again to produce the album And the Weathermen Shrug Their Shoulders. The following year, the band began a series of performances under the title It's All Too Beautiful, where music and dance go against each other. During the performances the band was supported by Joop van Brakel and a dance troupe led by choreographer Wim Kannekens. This performance series continued until 1995.
In 1995 the vocal artist Han Buhrs became a member of the Ex, and together they recorded the album Mudbird Shivers. The arrival of Buhrs inspired the band to also incorporate blues influences into their music. The band Dog Faced Hermans disbanded in 1994, after which Andy permanently joined the Ex.[11] In this formation, the band recorded the double album Instant.
In 1995 the Ex put on a party in Paradiso, under the name Plezante Affair. After this party it became quieter around the band for a few years. Band members took on other musical projects. Some members worked together with the klezmerband Kletka Red and with the dance company Magpie. Buhrs left the band in early 1997. That same year, G.W. Sok released Ex-Rated, a songbook of his lyrics.
In 1998 in the United States, the Ex teamed up with producer Steve Albini for the album Starters Alternators.[10] In 1999 they recorded a mini-album with Tortoise in the United States. In May 1999 the band celebrated its twentieth anniversary in at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, where they played together with De Kift and Shellac, among others.
The Ex are too weird and difficult to get a soundbyte handle on. They are the “We Are the World” punks and that’s just not very cool. They tour Africa every year and engage in workshops with local musicians and children. They champion a rotating set of collaborators, often willingly taking on the role of glorified backing band for their passion projects with acts as varied as Sonic Youth, the Mekons, and Chumbawamba. They are ostensibly a punk band but rarely manage to play a song that is under five minutes long. They are smiley, friendly, engaging middle-aged folks, former squatters from Amsterdam who took a liking to free jazz and folk and yes, even the unstylish rhythms of “world music”. Take all of that into consideration and it's easy to see why they have no place in your average music critics' narrative. They aren't outlaws. They're painters.
In June 2000, the Ex performed at the Holland Festival, where they collaborated with a twenty-piece big band. Columnist Jan Mulder and conductor Hamisch McKeich contributed to this performance, among many others. Guitarist Terrie also released two improvised albums, one with Ab Baars and one with Han Bennink.
In 2001 the Ex's new album Dizzy Spells was produced by Steve Albini, after which the band went on tour throughout Europe and the United States. In 2001 the album In the Fishtank was released; this album was a collaboration with members of Sonic Youth and the Dutch improvisersInstant Composers Pool Orchestra (ICP).
The Ex in concert on 16 June 2004 in Germany. Left to right: Rozemarie Heggen, G.W. Sok, Katherina Bornefeld, Andy Moor
In 2002, the Ex put on concerts in Ethiopia together with Han Bennink. In 2003 bass player Luc left the band, and was replaced by double bassist Rozemarie Heggen, who had played in the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest.[13] In 2003, the Ex brought the Congolese band "Konono Nr. 1" to Europe. The Ex went on tour again, including in Italy, Eritrea and a three-week tour of the United States. In the United States they collaborated with Steve Albini for the third time to produce the double album Turn, which was released in 2004. The Ex then toured Ethiopia for the second time.
In 2005, the band released the album In The Event together with the French sound poet Anne James Chaton, as well as the single compilation Singles.Period. In 2005 double bass player Rozemarie left the band and Colin (formerly of the Dog Faced Hermans) served as the band's bass player for recordings and tours with Ethiopian saxophone legend Getatchew Mekuria before becoming The Ex's sound board operator. Guitarists Andy Moor and Terrie Hessels have since filled in bass parts by switching off on baritone guitar.[14]
During these years, the Ex regularly brought little-known African bands to Europe and the United States. These bands performed as an opener for concert appearances of the Ex, but often also performed together with the Ex on stage. Not only Konono Nr. 1 but also Djibril Diabaté and the Azmari's gained recognition among Western audiences in this way.
In 2005, the Ex performed in "A Clockwork Orange" together with theater group d'Electrique, the production core around Ko van den Bosch, in a huge ship shed in the About the IJ Festival. This performance was very well received by press and public. In May and July 2007, "A Clockwork Orange" went on a reprise and tour of theaters.[9]
In 2009, after 30 years with the group, singer and co-founder G.W. Sok announced his departure from the band.[16] Sok did so, believing he lacked the energy to continue and wanted to concentrate more on writing and graphic design,[17] as well as singing in new musical projects with several other bands. His replacement is Arnold de Boer from the Dutch group Zea, with whom the Ex have toured and collaborated. In addition to singing, De Boer plays guitar and utilizes samples with the Ex.
In 2010 the band performed at the Incubate festival in Tilburg, and toured later that year with, among others, the RaaskalBOMfukkerZ. In 2011 the Ex were chosen by Caribou to perform at and co-curate the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival in Minehead, England.[18] During this period the band began to re-release earlier albums.
Band members
Present
Terrie Hessels (also known as Terrie Ex)[19] – guitar, baritone guitar (1979–present)
Joggers and Smoggers is a double album by punk artists The Ex, released in 1989 as a double vinyl record album, and issued as a double CD in 1992. It is the first of the Ex's albums to feature extensive use of improvisation and instruments outside of the standard guitar/bass/drums arrangement of punk rock, as well as great numbers of international guest musicians, most notably New York's Sonic Youth, Glasgow's Dog Faced Hermans, Amsterdam's Instant Composers Pool, as well as numerous folk musicians from a variety of European and Middle Eastern traditions. The album marked a turning point in The Ex's artistry, foreshadowing many collaborations and delvings into avant-garde, experimental, improvisational, folk and world music that the band would mix with their abrasive trademark post-punk sound in the 20 years to come.
Disturbing Domestic Peace was the debut album from Dutch anarchist band The Ex.
And the Weathermen Shrug Their Shoulders is the second of two albums by Dutch punk band The Ex in collaboration with avant-garde cellist Tom Cora. Cora was acknowledged in the credits of earlier album Joggers and Smoggers but didn't actually appear on an Ex album until a recording session in 1990 which led to Scrabbling at the Lock as well as And the Weathermen Shrug Their Shoulders.
Dizzy Spells is an album by Dutch post-punk band The Ex. It is the band's 11th studio album and 18th overall, and was produced by Steve Albini who had also produced its predecessor. Dizzy Spells was also The Ex's final studio album to feature bass guitarist Luc who would end up leaving the band after being a member for 20 years.
Tumult is the third album by Dutch anarchist punk rock band The Ex, originally released in 1983. It was produced by Jon Langford of The Mekons and Dolf Planteijdt.
Starters Alternators is an album by Dutch post-punk band The Ex. It is the band's 10th studio album and was produced by Steve Albini for a 1998 CD released jointly by Touch and Go Records and the band’s own label, Ex Records.
Pokkeherrie is a 1985 album by The Ex, originally released on vinyl only on the Pokabilly label. The original release included an eleven-page booklet containing lyrics & artwork and a double sided poster. It was reissued on compact disc in 1995 on Ex Records. The album comprises a collection of songs the group had performed on an anti-military tour. The title of the album is a Dutch word that means something like "so much noise" or "awful noise". It is the first of the Ex's albums to feature Katrin on drums, cementing the band's core lineup that would last for nearly two decades.
Scrabbling at the Lock is the first of two albums by Dutch punk band The Ex in collaboration with avant-garde cellist Tom Cora. It is also the first of The Ex's studio albums to feature the work of then Dog Faced Hermans guitarist Andy Moor, who has remained in the band ever since.
Mudbird Shivers is an album by Dutch punk/experimental band The Ex. The album prominently features vocals by guest musician Han Buhrs, who also plays a number of different instruments on the recording. It was released the same year as The Ex's entirely instrumental improv album Instant.
Aural Guerrilla is the 1988 studio album by Dutch anarchist post-punk band The Ex, co-released by American indie label Homestead Records.
Too Many Cowboys is the second double-album Dutch anarchist punk band The Ex. Released in 1987, it mixes live and studio recordings and marks the band's beginning of a collaboration with British anarchist group Chumbawamba.
Instant is a double compact disc by the Dutch experimental post-punk band The Ex. The band recorded the album in conjunction with many guest musicians, notably members of Holland's Instant Composers Pool (ICP) for whom the album is partially named, the other part being that the Dutch term for "free improvisation" literally translates to "instant composition."
Hands Up! You're Free is an album by Dutch anarcho-punk band The Ex compiling the group's three different Peel sessions recorded for BBC Radio 1 during the 1980s. The Ex released the collection on their own label, Ex Records, first on vinyl in June 1988, then on CD in 2003.
Catch My Shoe is an album by Dutch anarchist band The Ex. It is the band's first record after the departure of their original vocalist G.W. Sok and features Arnold de Boer, from the band Zea, on vocals, guitar and keyboard. It is also the band's first album recorded without a bass player, and has The Ex's two other guitarists trading off duties on lower pitched six-string baritone guitars. Two songs contain overdubbed brass lines recorded by Sicilian jazz trumpeter Roy Paci.
Blueprints for a Blackout is the fourth album by Dutch post-punk band The Ex, originally released in 1984. It was the first of The Ex's albums to feature Luc playing bass guitar and he would remain as the band's bass player for 20 years. The album also featured many guest musicians, a notable trend in The Ex's discography that would provide musical elements unique to each of their albums.
Treat is a split cassette shared between by Dutch punk band The Ex and Scottish ex-pat tour mates Dog Faced Hermans. The album was recorded live while the two bands toured Europe together and was released only on cassette in 1990. That year the two bands also collaborated on the single "Lied der Steinklopfer" released under the name Ex Faced Hermans, as well as sharing live sound engineer Gert-Jan, credited as a full member of the Dog Faced Hermans who continued to tour with The Ex for more than a decade.
Een Rondje Holland is a live album by Ex Orkest, an orchestra made up of the Dutch post-punk band The Ex accompanied by 20 other musicians. The album features orchestral arrangements of previously released Ex songs mixed with pieces of improvised music. The tracks were recorded over a series of four performances in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, and compiled for release on the band's own label in 2001.
6 is a collection of six singles by Dutch musical group The Ex. The singles were available in record shops and also through a subscription with a new one being issued every two months throughout 1991. Each of the singles explored different facets of The Ex's musical relationships and interests, featuring collaborations with an array of musicians and other artists. The 6 singles were not released on The Ex's CD collection, Singles. Period. The Vinyl Years 1980–1990 as they comprised an album to be collected and stored in a single box. The band announced plans to reissue the collection on CD in 2010, but have yet to do so.
1936, The Spanish Revolution is an album of songs and archival photographs related to the Spanish Civil War, recorded and assembled by Dutch anarchist punk band The Ex. The band released it in 1986, the 50th anniversary of the Spanish Revolution, on their own label as a square 7" (17.5 cm) soft-cover book with two 45 rpm records. A 5" (12.5 cm) hardcover edition was republished by AK press in 1997, replacing the records with a pair of 3" CDs.
The Ex are a Dutch music group from Amsterdam founded in 1979. In their four decades as a band, they have moved from playing anarcho punk to post punk, jazz, folk and African music. They have collaborated on records with fellow indie musicians Chumbawamba, Dog Faced Hermans, Tortoise and Sonic Youth, improvisers like Tom Cora and the Instant Composers Pool, and toured with African musicians Konono Nº1 and Getatchew Mekurya.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Biografie The Ex" (in Dutch). Muziek Encyclopedie. 2012. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
1 2 Jenny Kracht (1 April 2006). "Interviews: Ex: Welt-Punk" (in German). Ox-Fanzine. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
↑ Joshua Klein (30 May 2008). "The Ex". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
1 2 "The Ex: The Wavelength Interview". Wavelength Music Arts Projects. 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
1 2 3 Ian Aitch (21 January 2010). "The Ex: experimental noiseniks". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
↑ Angie Samblotte (29 October 2014). "The Ex: Turning Brains Upside Down". L.A. Record: L.A.’s biggest music publication since 2005. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
1 2 3 Tim Sasscer (1 November 2003). "The Ex". Perfect Sound Forever. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
↑ Niall McGuirk (7 September 2015). "An Interview with Andy Moor of the Ex". Thumped. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
↑ Arnold Pan (14 October 2010). "The Ex: Catch My Shoe". Pop Matters. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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