The Ex

(x-post) Yeah, I wonder how tricky that is to come by now. I actually saw them live at around that time, and was mightily impressed, but as you can tell, I'm being a bit slow in getting round to picking it up!

Yes, the Ex are fantastic. My all-time favorite is Scrabbling at the Lock, the first of their collaborations with the late Tom Cora, but you can't go too far wrong with any post-1990 Ex. The new one's great too, and so's Starters Alternators. And the Een Rondje Holland album they released with an enormously expanded lineup as Ex Orkest is unmissable.

and they stuck to their ideological guns, which feels rare.
m.

They've been saying for a while that they're going to put out a singles compilation, which I hope they do soon, just for the sake of getting "Stonestamper's Song" back in print. RAK-PIKAPAK-PIKAPAK-TAK-TAK! A total earthquake of a song.

http://www.theex.nl/

I still haven't gotten into Turn (the new one) yet, but I live & die by their previous 2 albums (Starters Alternators, & especially Dizzy Spells). In addition to their two Tom Cora collabs (the aforementioned Scrabbling, & the more footloose And the Weathermen Shrugged Their Shoulders), you might want to check out Instant, "the double CD impro/-dubbed recordings by The Ex & Guests [Ab Baars, Wolter Wierbog, Han Bennink, Tristan Honsinger, Michael Vatcher, Dolf]". Joggers & Smoggers is another double-disc guest-laden thingy (predating everything I've listed to this point), featuring Lee Ranaldo & Thurston Moore, among others (including Instant folks).

And, yeah, if get the chance to see them live, do it do it do it!

"The compilation CD SINGLES.PERIOD. is scheduled for release early 2005. 23 songs, a big hour of music."

Yes, it's very good indeed!!

http://www.theex.nl/home.html

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

After 29 years G.W. Sok has decided to call it a day and not sing or tour with us anymore.

!!!!!!

new singer!!! (Arnold from the band Zea)

hopefully this means more songs sung by Katerina...

One one hand, I'm really glab I got to see The Ex with Sok as singer a couple of times. The man was so incredible and deliberate. He was very precise as a frontman, without forcing it. He worked very well bouncing vocal duties with Katerina.

On the other hand, given the commune aspect of The Ex, it kinda makes sense that there should be a change in the line-up at some point. I hope the best for the band (pssst, tour the West Coast U.S.!!!), and Sok.

haha "glad"

both times I have seen them (in Portland) the vocals were almost completely inaudible :(

the first time it was a bummer, the second time they were so great it was irrelevant.

The Ex & Unwound at Graceland, Seattle on June 30th, 2001 (two shows, went to both) is the best live music night of my life to this day.

I saw them at the Vera Project in Seattle in mid 2004 tour for Turn. It's the second best live show I've ever seen.

(dumb celebrity shoulder rubbing trivia, I was surrounded by and dancing with The Futureheads at that show. They were playing a few blocks away at the Crocodile and asked to play first and brief, so they could literally run over and see The Ex at Vera)

is it possible there is no c/d s/d thread for THE EX????????

Another one of the many Ex threads

THE ILILTA BAND - ETHIOPIA
Chalachew Ashenafi - masinqo / vocals
Mesele Asmamaw - krar
Asnake Gebreyes - kebero

I hope they bring this group, who they are doing European gigs with, to the US

I think I've mentioned this at least once (in response to your saying something similar), but I was at that Graceland show, Makro, or one of them, and while I dunno abt #1, it's easily one of 10 best shows I've ever seen. So cheers.

interesting, looks like Sok has a new band. from the Dualtrack blog...

Speaking about The Ex: their singer GW Sok has left the band and is now the force behind a 2CD set by The Rondos, which will be officially released on the 11th at Worm, in Rotterdam, which is probably the best news since the invention of fire.

Sok left the Ex?
am i wrong or was he the main consistent member?

Terrie was the main consistent member if I'm correct, just as much as Sok was.

I don't believe you could see The Rondo's as a new band though. The cd mentioned is a retrospective. You can find more at (in Dutch):
http://siebethissen.blogspot.com/2009/03/even-terug-de-rondos-1978-1980.html

from reading this thread i think i already know what the answer to this will be, but should i go see them on monday if i have absolutely no familiarity with their discography whatsoever? has anyone been to a show with the new singer? i've heard a couple tunes and dig it extremely, and the weekly alternative paper is promising one of the best shows of the year. also if anyone can recommend an album or compilation it would be much appreciated.

X vs. the Ex vs. the xx vs. the X-Ray Spex

whoa, where are they touring? can't find a current list of dates.

and definitely go! I saw them pretty much cold and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. just REALLY GREAT.

take it you're in toronto or montreal, def go if tix are not sold out, the getachew/ex touring combo is excellent, written on it in the ethiopiques thread if you wanna check there, some reviews from last summer and a youtube link (tons of stuff on youtube from last summer's tour)
DC City Paper "After seeing the Ex and Getatchew Mekuria co-mingle punk, post-punk, Space Is the Place, free jazz clarinet skronk, and ecstatic semi-funk, there just isn't much to report back to your pals other than superlatives: top-five best show of all time, awesome, oh-my-God, etc."

http://chicago.metromix.com/home/review/the-ex-brings-an/567899/content
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/14/AR2008081403384.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5UtIX4uUY

X vs. the Ex vs. the xx vs. the X-Ray Spex

The Ex >>>>> X-Ray Spex >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> X > uh who?

And yes see them live.

yeah, go!

saw getatchew + ex when they were in chicago...last year i think? it was AWESOME and they had a fire dancer. great great show.

also if anyone can recommend an album or compilation it would be much appreciated.

the Ex have covered a LOT of ground, so I usually suggest people get the Singles. Period., comp, which collects most of their singles/EPs from 1980-90. also, they recently released a 30th anniversary comp of some of their own favorites from their oeuvre, but I haven't seen a track list to judge that. I am sure it's great, though

otherwise, my favorite Ex records are Joggers & Smoggers, And the Weathermen Shrug Their Shoulders, or Pokkeherrie. or whichever one of their records I happened to play last.

get the collab with Getatchew, also! so good!

"also if anyone can recommend an album or compilation it would be much appreciated."

Aural Guerilla is still my favorite.

cool thanks everyone for answering, i am definitely going to the show. i'm downloading singles and the getatchew album, which i think will make up for most of what they are going to play. i was reading an interview with the band, where they were like "yeah, we just found this 78 year old ethiopian saxophonist and we have no idea why, but every time we play with him it's just the great fucking music ever." funny how they even they were surprised at how well the collaboration worked out.

how was the show?!

saw 'em with Getatchew Mekuria at the Polish Combatants Hall.... so damn good.

Been listening to the new double disc comp "30", goddamn this band is awesome.

I hope the horn players don't get too free-jazz on it

AAAAAAHHHH

HHHHHHAAAA

saw them two nites ago w/ at least 3 other ilxors. so so so so fucking fucking fucking good. i haert the ex so much.

one of the most glorious gigs I can recall, 5 support acts and all

arguably the highlight was the ex's two non-singing guitarists doing a noise jam with this devonian jazz drummer, possibly the greatest improv jam I've ever seen, utterly incandescent, alien, attuned. apparently all recorded too. will buy

good interview w/Andy:

https://thumped.com/music-interviews/an-interview-with-andy-moor-of-the-ex.html

Public service announcement:

The Ex + Ken Vandermark

20/10 MILWAUKEE (USA) - Sugar Maple
21/10 CHICAGO (USA) - Lincoln Hall
22/10 BROOKLYN (USA) - The Wick
23/10 JERSEY CITY (USA) - Monty Hall
24/10 PORTSMOUTH (USA) - 3S Artspace
25/10 BOSTON (USA) - Great Scott
26/10 PHILDAELPHIA (USA) - Boot + Saddle
27/10 WASHINGTON DC (USA) - Black Cat
28/10 BALTIMORE (USA) - Ottobar
29/10 SAN FRANCISCO (USA) - Bottom of the Hill
30/10 LOS ANGELES (USA) - Roxy Theatre

hmph, no Pac NW :(

and jeez playing in Baltimore one night and SF the next is some brutal touring

That's not even logistically possible without a flight, even taking into account one of those ill-advised "load out, drive, load in" type situations. I mean, it's clear across the country, and will take like 40 hours.

The Wire's review of the new concert DVD is pretty enticing...

G.W.Sok with some French dudes:
http://gwsok.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-a-free-body

North American tour going on now

thanks for the Bandcamp link, I was also unfamiliar with Sok's other band "The And"

http://gwsok.bandcamp.com/album/the-and

The man seems busy, he also sings on the new album of Belgian band Filiamotsa:

https://filiamotsa.bandcamp.com/album/like-it-is

actually they're French as well

RIP getatchew mekuria, great sax player

aw man, RIP. I love this:

https://www.discogs.com/Getatchew-Mekuria-Ex-Friends-The-YAnbessaw-Tezeta/master/660804

14 March 1935 – 4 April 2016

http://www.theex.nl/news.html

Getatchew passed away today at the age of 81 after a musical career of 68 years. He was a truly unique saxophone player. Born in the countryside of Ethiopia, he heard the saxophone on the radio at the age of 13 and went to Addis Abeba straight away. He wanted to play saxophone! And soon after that he got himself into the Municipality Band. Later he played in the Haile Selassie Orchestras, the National Theatre Orchestra and more.

Since 2004 he played regularly with The Ex. It was his choice after hearing us at one of our festivals. He recognized something in our music which reminded him of the early groups he was in, like the Fetan Band (Speed Band). He loved playing with us and for us it was also an incredible experience. He was always totally himself, full-on intense and dedicated. We played more than 100 concerts and made two beautiful albums together.

The last few years his health was not very good. He couldn't really go on tour anymore. As a kind of farewell concert for his fans, we organised a big event in the National Theatre in Addis Abeba. He got lots of attention and respect that night: 1500 people in the audience, three TV stations and a legendary concert. Getatchew was playing while sitting on a chair, but his playing was stronger than ever.

His whole life was music. With his unique sound and approach he leaves behind an eternal inspiration! We will miss him.

new album!
https://theex.bandcamp.com/album/27-passports

looking forward to this one!

oh fuck!

nice

I saw The Ex with Getatchew at Millennium Park in Chicago and the show was awesome but the best part was it took place over the noon hour and there was a gaggle of Ethiopian ex-pats in suits, obviously on their lunch break from office jobs downtown who went off when Getatchew took the stage. Swinging their suit jackets over their heads full on wedding party style. It was awesome.

It dawned on me this morning I've the Ex like...ten times? And only once in the city I live in.

man do they know how to chug along

replay value SUPER high

also walking value

damn I gotta get this

https://daily.bandcamp.com/2018/04/16/the-ex-list/

(A Guide to (Nearly) Four Decades of Dutch Punks The Ex)

love this record, CD packaging has a nice heft to it as well

god this is so great

full size color art-photo booklet with the LP version = amazing

nice, Superior Viaduct starting with some reissues:

https://www.superiorviaduct.com/collections/upcoming/products/the-ex-all-corpses-smell-the-same-7-inch

really REALLY into the single they did with Fendika back in 2015, all the singles from the last decade are worth your time

new soundcloud mix from Andy here:

https://soundcloud.com/amsterdamalternative/dj-andy-ex-cold-weather-mix-010

1st 2 LP reissues are also out on Superior Viaduct, including all the original inserts/posters

bump for impending new SV reissues of Digntty Of Labour (as an LP) and Tumult (one of my faves), with all original packaging posters etc.

also this:

Here is a mixcloud link of my radio show Blue Prints for Blackout on Amsterdams very own Echobox Radio ..i will have a regular slot every third Friday of the month ...i was quite nervous as Im not used to microphones and talking on the radio but it was great fun to do and the echobox radio crew helped me out and were a great bunch to hang with ...the music is great from Algeria, Napoli, Genova, Jamaica , South Africa, Ethiopia, Scotland, Netherlands, Ghana, Trinidad, and even England. Enjoy and check out other shows on echobox,,,,a splinter new radio station based in amsterdam with a crazy variety of shows from every imaginable corner of the universe.

https://www.mixcloud.com/echoboxradio/blueprints-for-a-blackout-1-andy-moor-echobox-radio-200821/?fbclid=IwAR2di-SVyfPj-21svLc5NTxIs-JY2jYLztE-61i4CxIUQN336vxyVFr4dJ8

, and even England.

Speaking of the Ex (somewhere) I really wish I had the time and energy to see Archer (Terrie's new-ish improv/jazz project) tonight. A bit of fomo at work.

omg there are FIVE King Champion Sounds albums?!? can't believe I hadn't heard of this before.

new album If Your Mirror Breaks out this week

sounded great my first time through, drums in particular

I saw them perform the new album in full the other night. The percussion is the joy of their work, it seems - even the guitars have this percussive quality. It was so so enjoyable.

Remarkable merch stand too (!), with many of the albums and side projects available, plus a bunch of other stuff they thought the punters might like.

it's nearly 10 years since I last saw them. they don't play the UK v often and they were just here last autumn but only played at Cafe OTO which is tiny and sold out quick. wish they'd play somewhere a bit bigger but I guess they probably won't be here again for a few years now

The percussion is the joy of their work, it seems - even the guitars have this percussive quality.

totally agree

Kat is a joy to watch.

it's nearly 10 years since I last saw them. they don't play the UK v often and they were just here last autumn but only played at Cafe OTO which is tiny and sold out quick. wish they'd play somewhere a bit bigger but I guess they probably won't be here again for a few years now

― Colonel Poo, Tuesday, 27 January 2026 19:16 (yesterday)

They're playing the 100 Club in May! (and Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester)

oh shit they are! just a got a ticket, thanks!

another +1 on the percussive comment, that’s a great way to put it. caught them more or less by accident once many years ago and this is exactly what drew my friend and i into a set of unfamiliar songs. the records are good too but they’re an extremely good live band first and foremost for me.

Ah this is brilliant news about UK shows. Phenomenal live band and very special to me. When I was dating my now-wife, we went to see The Ex together and it was pretty much there and then I knew she was the one. The power of Dutch post-punk!

Delightfully ironic to see the Ex with your future wife.

Ha!