In Ex Hex’s new video for “Waterfall,” the band invades DC in a flying saucer; they beam punk rays from space that turn unsuspecting tourists and sanitation workers into leather clad rockers. Keep an eye out for appearances from punk icons like The Cramps’ Kid Congo Powers, the Make-Up’s Michelle Mae, and hardcore old-timer Alec MacKaye.
Ex Hex – Waterfall from Merge Records on Vimeo.
“Waterfalls” is groovy and infectious with energetically urgent guitar, animated drums, and bold vocals: the pure joy of punk. Just don’t call it relaxing.
Informed by classics like The Slits and The Raincoats, the three women of Ex Hex should already be included in any comprehensive punk education. The drums are driven by Laura Harris of The Aquarium and then there is the buoyant bassist, Betsy Wright of The Fire Tapes. Guitarist and lead vocalist, Mary Timony, played in Helium and formed supergroup Wild Flag with Carrie Brownstein. Ex Hex released their debut album, a harried, half hour blitz called Rips, this month on Merge Records – which means the band is on a rad North American tour (see dates below).
Oct 7 Louisville, KY – Zanzabar #
Oct 9 Denver, CO – Hi-Dive #
Oct 10 Albuquerque, NM – Sister #
Oct 11 Phoenix, AZ – Yucca Tap Room #
Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo #
Oct 14 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
Oct 16 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios #
Oct 17 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl #
Oct 18 Seattle, WA – Barboza #
Oct 19 Olympia, WA – Capitol Theater Backstage #
Oct 23 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium #
Oct 24 Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry #
Oct 25 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle #
Oct 26 Detroit, MI – PJ’s Lager House #
Oct 27 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern #
Oct 28 Montreal, QC – Il Motore #
Oct 29 Burlington, VT – Monkey House #
Oct 30 Boston, MA – Great Scott #
Oct 31 Hamden, CT – The Space #
Nov 1 Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands #
Nov 2 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge #
Nov 4 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s #
Nov 5 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar #
Nov 6 Richmond, VA – Strange Matter #
# with Speedy Ortiz
Images and video via Jonah Takagi, Merge Records