Filmed over a two year period on tour in Europe and the U.S.A in squats, clubs and avant-garde jazz festivals, during rehearsals and at home with each member of the band. Interspersed with hilarious archive material and poetic sequences, the film gives a vivid and sparkling impression of an extraordinary band.
The Ex in Beautiful Frenzy, a film by Christina Hallstrom and Manra Waback now on DVD. “Coming from the underground circuit where they started in 1979, The Ex is a small but steady star in the independent music community. Live, The Ex are a force of nature, they play a whirling rock, that’s intense, irresistible, unstoppable. The film is about making music without paying attention to how things are supposed to sound. While the commercial companies are offering small independent bands huge amounts of money, The Ex consciously chose to stay away from the industry and do things their own way. Filmed on location during two years on tour in Europe and the USA along squats, clubs and avant-garde festivals, during rehearsals and at home with each member of the band, the film gives a vivid and sparkling impression of this extraordinary band. “ this features extras not the the earlier video release.
Beatiful Frenzy
With an incredible amount of energy The Ex jump back and forth on stage maintaintaining intense concentration while still having fun. Emerging from the underground circuit where they began in 1979, The Ex is a small but steady star in the independent music community.
The film is about making music without paying attention to how things are 'supposed' to sound. While the major labels are offering small independent bands huge amounts of money, The Ex consciously chose to stay away from the industry and do things their own way. For the members of The Ex 'punk' is a way of living, simply refusing to participate in the 'grind'. This quintet from Amsterdam runs its own label and books its own concerts in a steadfastly independent way.
The band has continually developed its musical skills, creating an ambling rhythm-dominated sound. Over the years The Ex has worked with some of the brightest lights of indie rock and avant-garde; Fugazi, Tortoise, Sonic Youth guitarists Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo, the late cellist and improviser Tom Cora, jazzdrummer Han Bennink and recording engineer / Shellac guitarist Steve Albini. The Ex has incorporated many new ideas and influences while retaining distinctively their own identity; reason enough for a documentary about the longest lasting independent band of the Netherlands.
Live The Ex are a force of nature, they play a whirling rock, driven by Katrin's rolling syncopation and G.W Sok's inspired half spoken-half sung vibrant vocals. Terrie and Andy, the two guitarists, spin and bounce off one another. Their entwined guitars cut with startling sharpness , enthusiastic interplay and constant improvisation. Luc and Katrin bump and clatter with bobbling bass lines and relentless rhythms. It's intense, irresistible, unstoppable.
With modest means, the Swedish directors have produced an exclusive and perceptive portrait of the band. Filmed on location over a two year period on tour in Europe and the U.S.A in squats, clubs and avant-garde jazz festivals, during rehearsals and at home with each member of the band. Interspersed with hilarious archive material and poetic sequences, the film gives a vivid and sparkling impression of this extraordinary band.
Directed and Produced by:
Christina Hallström & Mandra Wabäck
Photography and Sound Recording
Christina Hallström & Mandra Wabäck
Editor
Katarina Türler
Sound Editor
Lex van Engelen
Concert Sound Recording
Colin McLean Zlaya Hadzic Dolf Planteydt
Colorist Renzo Scanu
Translation In Vision Subtitling
Print Shop Primavera
This film was sponsored by Café-Cantina, De Groene Olifant, Café Soundgarden, Drukkerij Primavera Grafisch Papier, The Swedish Filminstitute, ThuisKopie Fonds,
The Ex:
Andy-guitar
Katrin-drums, vocals
Luc-bass
Terrie-guitar
G.W.Sok-vocals
