The Ex

had posted this on the visiting ethiopia thread over on ile but the ex are doing their annual ethiopia mini tour next week playing with Getachew Mekuria,Mats Gustafsson, Paal Nilssen-Love the Fendika band and others

will post some reviews on how it goes

I think the Dusted review was a little down on some of Arnold's lyrics, complaining that he veered into clunky leftist rhetoric at times, but it's no biggie for me. He's got a sense of humour to go with the left wing rants. And anyway, left wing rants are fine by me, especially in the face of a Tory government.
Terrific album, with some inspired musical ideas. I love the way they've worked in Konono style rhythms and sounds - Arnold makes his guitar sound like an electric thumb piano at one point. Loads of great jagged Terry and Arnold riffage, and inexorable polyrhythms from Katherina.
The live shows have been bloody fantastic too. I saw them three times last year. Once with Brass Unbound, which was a sort of greatest hits reworked set, and two in support of the new album, where they hardy played any old stuff. As glorious as The Ex + brass was, the latter shows were even better, with the sheer power and groove of the core band a joy to behold. I danced my ass off to them at ATP.

Terry and Andy riffage. Oops, sorry Mr Moor!

They're the Redskins that kept going?

I think the new rekkid is excellent and this thread served as a reminder for me to get my Chicago tix!

OK then, I'll check it out. I loved that KatJon album from a year or two ago so much that I was afraid this wouldn't compare. I almost wish they had changed their name, Sok's voice is so integral to this band for me.

I am (unavoidably) missing their show in Portland, but I am probably the only person in the world who has seen two shows by them and left totally underwhelmed both times (inaudible vox, bad sound, lackluster show in one case).

I got the first FIMAV 2011 mailout a couple of days ago -- they're at Victoriaville this year w/Brass Unbound.

ATTENTION THREAD:

I might have an extra ticket for their show tonight at Lincoln Hall, free of charge!

What I wrote about the new album:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/catch-my-shoe-20110125

Man, that's the word count RS gives you these days? What a shame. Feel free to post an expanded version here!

I like this new record, mostly because the new singer sounds a lot like the old singer. My vinyl copy was a less than ideal pressing though.

http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/7710

w/ horns

kind of weird to refer to a 3/4 rhythm as a "backbeat" and I don't think it sounds particularly Mo Tucker-esque either. And I don't think Ethiopia is considered "North Africa"

so excited for this record, it sounds fabulous.

I'm still getting used to Arnold, it doesn't feel the same w/o G.W. Sok and Catch My Shoe didn't work so well for me, but this seems like it will have more in common with the earthmeltingly great Moa Anbessa. My favorite The-Ex-but-not-The-Ex album of the last few years is the KatJon Band record.

Not sure why that Dusted reviewer seems so surprised that the Ex can make things work with a brass section (including a noisy player)

happy to learn about this band. i opened this thread thinking people were discussing the 2006 zach braff movie for some reason.

kind of weird to refer to a 3/4 rhythm as a "backbeat" and I don't think it sounds particularly Mo Tucker-esque either. And I don't think Ethiopia is considered "North Africa"

― THIS IS NOT A BENGHAZI T-SHIRT (Hurting 2), Wednesday, May 29, 2013 9:15 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

that's a whole lotta wrong for a record review.

still looking forward to the new one.

Enormous Door is so, so good - as good as Moa Anbessa even! Konono #2 is my current jam, just a relentless groove.

When I saw them play that last Dec it was just completely massive and crushing live, the record is great.

I forgot to give their latest a listen. I guess it's not too late. Is it on Spotify in US?

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