The Ex originated from the squatting movement in Amsterdam and Wormer,[3] and was inspired by bands like The Fall and The Mekons.

[2] Although initially known as an anarcho-punk band associated with the Dutch post-punk ultra scene, over the decades the Ex's sound has gradually developed into its current form of highly intricate, experimental punk/post-punk/no wave-inspired work.

[7] Other examples of branching out stylistically include the improvised double album Instant and a release under the moniker Ex Orkest, a 20 piece big band assembled for performances at Holland Festival.

"One reason we are hard to describe is that we never had an education at music school, and in that sense we are not influenced by any traditional playing," explained Katherina Bornefeld, drummer for the Ex since 1984.

The band enjoys international acclaim for this socially critical message, as well as for the energetic, rhythmic, atonal guitar playing, and for the furious vocals of singer G.W.

[2][7][10] The band debuted with a song titled "Stupid Americans" on the Utreg-Punx vinyl 7" compilation released by Rock Against records in Rotterdam.

The most striking features of the music are the strongly rhythmic guitar attacks and the dogged way in which Sok spit the words into the microphone.

The singles each contained eight untitled tracks that deal with the demise of the Wormer-based Van Gelder paper factory.

A product of this tour is the split 12" The Red Dance Package that the Ex released in collaboration with the band Alerta.

Throughout the year, the Ex organised a benefit tour in the Netherlands together with Morzelpronk, Zowiso, and agitprop poet Nico van Apeldoorn.

[2] In 1985, the Ex released the album Pokkeherrie, a return to the band's earlier sound, largely dominated by Terrie's guitar.

In 1986, John van de Weert, former singer and guitarist of the Rondos briefly joined the Ex, and together they recorded the double single 1936: The Spanish Revolution.

This album is more experimental and jazzy, and features many guest musicians, including members of Sonic Youth and Ab Baars.

In October, the Ex launched their first American tour with the Canadian band NoMeansNo; they performed twice in CBGBs, and recordings of those shows were later broadcast by IKON.

Each single contained four songs recorded during a performance at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, where the Ex was supported by guest musicians Ab Baars, Han Bennink, and Wolter Wierbos.

During the performances the band was supported by Joop van Brakel and a dance troupe led by choreographer Wim Kannekens.

In May 1999 the band celebrated its twentieth anniversary in at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, where they played together with De Kift and Shellac, among others.

They champion a rotating set of collaborators, often willingly taking on the role of glorified backing band for their passion projects with acts as varied as Sonic Youth, the Mekons, and Chumbawamba.

In 2001 the Ex's new album Dizzy Spells was produced by Steve Albini, after which the band went on tour throughout Europe and the United States.

In 2003 bass player Luc left the band, and was replaced by double bassist Rozemarie Heggen, who had played in the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest.

In the United States they collaborated with Steve Albini for the third time to produce the double album Turn, which was released in 2004.

In 2005, the band released the album In The Event together with the French sound poet Anne James Chaton, as well as the single compilation Singles.Period.

In 2005 double bass player Rozemarie left the band and Colin (formerly of the Dog Faced Hermans) served as the band's bass player for recordings and tours with Ethiopian saxophone legend Getatchew Mekuria before becoming The Ex's sound board operator.

Guitarists Andy Moor and Terrie Hessels have since filled in bass parts by switching off on baritone guitar.

The Ex is the subject of a documentary, Beautiful Frenzy (2004) by Christina Hallström and Mandra U. Wabäck, and the concert film Building a Broken Mousetrap (2006), directed by Jem Cohen.

[16] In 2005, the Ex performed in "A Clockwork Orange" together with theater group d'Electrique, the production core around Ko van den Bosch, in a huge ship shed in the About the IJ Festival.

[17] Sok did so, believing he lacked the energy to continue and wanted to concentrate more on writing and graphic design,[18] as well as singing in new musical projects with several other bands.