The Ex (band)

The Ex
The Ex in concert in September 2016 in Germany.
Left to right: Katherina Bornefeld, Terrie Hessels, Arnold de Boer, Andy Moor.
Background information
OriginAmsterdam, Netherlands
Genres
Years active1979 (1979)–present[2]
LabelsEx, Touch and Go
Members
  • Terrie Hessels / Terrie Ex
  • Katherina Bornefeld
  • Andy Moor
  • Arnold de Boer
Past membersSee "Band members"
Websitewww.theex.nl

The Ex is an underground band from the Netherlands, started in 1979 at the height of the original punk explosion as a Dutch punk band. The Ex originated from the squatting movement in Amsterdam and Wormer,[3] and was inspired by bands like The Fall and The Mekons.[2]

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.

  1. ^ The Ex at AllMusic
  2. ^ a b "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)
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ "An Extended Exography: A History of the Ex|2009". The Ex. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  5. ^ 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)
  6. ^ "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)
  7. ^ a b 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)
  8. ^ 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)