The Ex

The Ex are an anarchist band from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. They formed in 1979 at the height of the original punk explosion and have released nearly twenty full-length albums since, making them one of the longest-lived and most influential punk bands (along with The Fall) still in existence. They are known and respected worldwide for their longevity, their explosive, energetic live shows and their political edge.

The band’s music has undergone significant evolution over the years, beginning as a simple lo-fi anarcho-punk band. They debuted with a single titled “Stupid Americans” on the Utregpunx vinyl 7” compilation released by Rock Against records in Rotterdam. The release of their first 7” All Corpses Smell the Same came shortly thereafter in 1980. Through the decades they gradually developed into their current form of highly intricate, experimental punk/post-punk/no wave-inspired work. Always involved in a large number of projects, both in and outside the band, its members have been able to keep their music fresh and exciting, and, some opine, constantly better.

Breaking from the relatively narrow confines of punk rock, The Ex has incorporated a wide array of influences, often from non-Western and non-rock sources. Some include hungarian and turkish folk songs, and more recently music from ethiopia (including collaborations with Ethipian saxophonist Getatchew Mekuria, congo (shown in their tribute to Congolese street band Konono No.

Arnold and Terrie and Andy and Katherina