After their start in 1979, in the heydays of the punk wave, The Ex developed over the years into a melting-pot of divergent musical styles: noise, rock, jazz, improvisation, and ethnic music have been interweaved under one unique umbrella—""Ex-music."" Discordant, highly rhythmic guitars and the rolling, almost African drumming style give the music of The Ex its special character.

In almost 25 years The Ex have played more than 1000 concerts all over Europe, North America, and Africa, and made over 20 CDs/albums. Never pigeon-holed into one of pop music¹s corny corners, The Ex is continuously in development, and always open for new ideas and collaborations with people of all kinds, people whose spirit inspires and appeals to the group. The main principle remains: to make music with heart and soul, out of reach of commercial trends or expectations. The consequent independent approach of the group and the manner in which they organize their concerts and release and distribute their records themselves, set a significant example for the alternative music circuit. Still going strong, and forward, in every possible direction.

Recent adventures include:
January 2002 three week tour in Ethiopia with legendary drummer Han Bennink

April 2002 tour with the Ex Orkest; an extended version of The Ex with three drummers, a horn section, three bassists, and three vocalists... including Jaap Blonk, Xavier Charles, Wolter Wierbos, John Butcher, Michael Vatcher

February 2003 Holland; with Konono, a Congolese electric thumb-piano ensemble.

April 2003 Italy; with John Butcher, saxophonist from the UK improv scene.

May 2003 France; with Anne-James Chaton, French sound poet extraordinaire.

September 2003 USA; three week tour on the east coast and Chicago where also the new CD was recorded with Steve Albini.

March 2004 another three week tour in Ethiopia with drummer Han Bennink.



Some coming plans:June 2004 tour of Austria and Germany
September 2004 release of Turn, the new CD/album
November 2004 jubilee festivals in Holland, France, Belgium: 25 years of The Ex.



Recent discography:
The Ex Starters Alternators (1998, cd)
The Ex + Tortoise In The Fishtank (1999, mcd)
The Ex Dizzy Spells (2001, cd)
Ex Orkest Een Rondje Holland (2001, live-cd)

Ex info > > > www.theex.nl
Ex cd's > > > mailorder@theex.nl

Huriyet

Alternative

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