History Is What's Happening

Recording information: Joke's Koeienverhuurbedrijf (12/1981); Theo & Theo's (12/1981).
This strong early outing had the most elliptical post-punk experiments of the Ex's discography. Keeping tracks around the minute-and-a-half mark without going for an agitprop squall, History Is What's Happening was well suited for fans of PiL or the Durutti Column. The demented disco of "Life Live" and the anti-superficial "H'Wood-W'ton" stood out, serious anxiety filtered down to its basic rock-based elements. With irregular rhythms and the usual unsettled guitar sounds, and also G.W. Sok's patented socialist drawl, the Ex's innate ability to make a statement collide with admirers and enemies was significant. ~ Dean Carlson