The Ex special with G.W. Sok in conversation with David Eastaugh
The Ex's music has undergone significant evolution over the years from their beginnings as a punk band. Founded by singer Jos Kley (better known as G.W. Sok), guitarist Terrie Hessels, drummer Geurt and bassist René, the band debuted with a song titled "Stupid Americans" on the Utreg-Punx vinyl 7" compilation released by Rock Against records in Rotterdam. The release of their first 7" All Corpses Smell the Same followed shortly after that, in 1980. Through the decades their music has gradually developed into its current form of highly intricate, experimental punk/post-punk/no wave-inspired work.
Expanding beyond punk rock, The Ex have 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, Congo and Eritrea (the independence song of Eritrea is covered by The Ex to kick off their 2004 album Turn). 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.
Throughout the early 1980s The Ex went through many line-up changes before settling on the core quartet of G.W. Sok on vocals, Terrie on guitar, Luc on bass and Kat on drums. In the early 1990s, Andy Moor served double-duty with tourmates Dog Faced Hermans before becoming The Ex's permanent second guitarist in 1991. In 2003 Luc left the band after 19 years, to be replaced by double bassist Rozemarie Heggen. In 2005 Heggen in turn 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.
Simon Heavisides - Adrian Borland The Sound
Marisa Carnesky
Lora Logic - Essential Logic - X-Ray Spex & Essential Logic
Monika Hempel - Klaus Nomi
Simon "Ding" Archer - Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, The Fall, PJ Harvey, The Pixies, AAAK, 1919,
Louise Rutkowski - This Mortel Coil, Rutkowski Sisters, Sunset Gun, The Florentines, The Kindness Of Strangers
Anita Gabrielle Tedder - Zenana
Simon Reynold - Futuromania: Electronic Dreams, Desiring Machines and Tomorrow’s Music Today
David 'Taffy' Hughes - Hurrah! & The Girl with the Replaceable Head
David Wolfenden - Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
The Children - Michael Wiener & Jim Coleman
Danny Kroha - The Gories, Demolition Doll Rods, Rocket 455, The Readies
Muz Murray
Linda Smith
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Ausgang - Max
Alan Lee Shaw - The Damned, The Rings, Maniacs & Physicals
Chris Cuffaro - Photographer
Ron Ward - Speedball Baby, Blood Oranges & Five Dollar Priest
Kim Richey
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