there is no limit of pie

How to describe a band that so many other bands have modeled themselves after? What is there to say about a band that this year marks its twenty-fifth year and has become one of the seminal punk influences, but whose sound has evolved so much in that time? I think mostly people will talk about how The Ex has shaped the sounds of bands like Fugazi or Sonic Youth, or might describe them as ‘the rough equivalent of a Dutch Crass’ (thanks AllMusic, you beat me to that). They have released a ton of albums in this time, nearly every one it seems on a different label, though in the early 90’s they formed their own label (Ex) and most recently distributed on Touch and Go. The latest, Turn, releases today on Touch and Go in the US, Vicious Circle in France and Ex Records in Holland, and was recorded by Steve Albini. I have two of their other albums, one they did with Tortoise (In the Fishtank) and the other (And the Weathermen Shrug Their Shoulders) with the avant-garde cellist Tom Cora. Both are really awesome, really beautiful. I saw The Ex last night in Philly and unfortunately they didn’t have Turn out for sale yet. Nonetheless the show was great, the crowd’s energy bringing them back on for two encores. One wouldn’t think them to be so old as their sound is still really fresh and original, but I think they dated their left leaning socialist ideologies last night when they dedicated a song to Henry Kissinger who has his worst nightmare ‘when he wakes up and there’s no more war.’ Oh, and, I should mention their new bassist, Rozemarie, who last night played an upright double was great. The above tracks are from the latest album. Also go to their website where there is an extensive history of the band, many more audio downloads, lyrics, and interesting links. Buy.