I was there, on the second of three nights to watch the Dutch band ‘’The Ex’’ celebrate their 33 1/3 anniversary with a series of concerts. Thanks to Practice Tape Collective, we have this concert film of their three nights residency in late November in 2012 at Café OTO in Dalston, East London.This film is a great example of what The Ex have been about since their formation in 1979. Their DIY punk ethic, a willingness to experiment with sound and collaborate with others. Plus the sheer joy of watching them play live.The film starts with the band rehearsing ‘’Addis Hum’’(released as a single this year).
GV shots of equipment being set up, fans arriving. Then 2min 22sec in, the noise explodes as we cut to the same song in concert. Guitars, trumpets and drums are now up close and it feels like Paul Greengrass jumped behind the camera and you are sucked in. We get more examples of this later on tracks like ‘’Maybe I was the pilot’’, Lale Guma, ‘’State of Shock’’ and the closing track ‘’Theme from Konono No. 2’’.

But the film isn’t just about the four members(Andy Moor, Katherina Bornefeld, Arnold De Boer and the only original member from 1979 Terrie Hassels), but also the great musicians they have worked and played with over the years.

Tracks four to seven see experimental collaborations from the likes of Mats Gustafsson, the Swedish saxophone player who has played with Sonic Youth, Colin Stetson and Kieran Hebdan. Here sharing the stage with Terrie and Andy from The Ex. This dissolves into Ken Vandermark (jazz composer from Rhode Island), Steve Beresford (British multi-instrumentalist), Wolter Wierbos (Dutch trombonist) and Anne James Chatton the sound poet. Later in the film, we get another four tracks from the likes of Ab Baars, Ken Vandermark and Xavier Charles (all playing clarinet). Two pieces from Australian drummer Tony Buck (founder member of The Necks) and Brighton Saxophone player John Butcher. All of these are shot in beautiful monochrome.

Stewart Lee, who hosted the first night says it all about the Ex and I quote ‘’It’s not just the music, it’s also about their commitment to a lifestyle choice and a way of operating in an ethical way that is inspiring. They are independent of record companies, managers or roadies’’

A great example of this is 31 minutes in. From a monochrome close up shot of a guitar pedal, there is a sudden wall of sound and we are into the track ‘’Gondar’’ (I believe it is a traditional Ethiopian song). Everyone is playing, the joy and energy while watching is infectious. Half way through the song, two London based Ethiopian dancers Temesgen Melese and Messi join the party and you can’t help smile and bop your head while you are watching.

This is where I must mention the filming and editing of Sean Zissou and Dave Knox. They have done a wonderful job of bringing those three nights to life. One minute you see three guitars close up, a crunching sound filling your ears, the next the camera is in/out focus, syncing to the sound of  Roy Paci giving everything on trumpet. You feel you have been transported into the café OTO (did I mention I was there?).

If you only get one more concert film in your life, please make it this one. This dvd is a real joy to relive a magic three nights with this great band.

“And so say all of us” is out now and can be purchase from theex.nl.

The Ex play Oslo Hackney Tuesday 19th August then tour the country.
See theex.nl for tour details.

James Dillon – Co presents a music podcast Under the Influence.