The Ex marks the spot!
So happy to head to the Vera Project on Wednesday to see legendary Dutch punk band The Ex. In 1999, my wife Kate and I produced a show with Fugazi, The Ex and Sleater Kinney at DV8. Fugazi's Ian Mackaye was such a fan of the band (who at that time had already been playing for 20 years together) that he took them out on a full U.S. tour. At that show I became an instant fan of The Ex and their truly unique mix of traditional folk songs, odd tribal drumming and challenging, angular punk rock guitars. That show also promoted awareness about the Teen Dance Ordinance and ended up being a catalyst for Vera Project founders James Keblas, Shannon Stewart and Kate Becker to come together. The Ex, recognizing the suffocating state of All Ages shows at that time opined about Vera Groningen, a legendary All Ages venue in the Netherlands that ended up heavily influencing the development of Seattle's own All Ages institution right down to the name.
On Wednesday the band launched into their set with a hyper energy that was infectious. I found every part of my body twitching and hopping to each song. Sounds emanated from amplifiers in strange ways creating a beautiful sonic dance of melody and dissonance. I imagined the epic world music of Peter Gabriel being smashed into early Sonic Youth's driving anthems. After almost 30 years together the band recently added new member Arnold De Boer after long time vocalist Jos Kley retired. 30 years together as a band is unique enough but 30 years as a cutting edge band is truly amazing. The band wraps up it's U.S. tour tonight in Los Angeles at Satellite (formerly Spaceland) promoting the band's 31st release "Catch my Shoe" which was produced this past year by Steve Albini in Chicago.
Don't miss it!