Scrabbling at the Lock

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Scrabbling at the Lock is the first of two albums by Dutch punk band The Ex in collaboration with avant-garde cellist Tom Cora. It is also the first of The Ex's studio albums to feature the work of then Dog Faced Hermans guitarist Andy Moor, who has remained in the band ever since. With the interplay of two guitars, bass, cello, and more prominent female vocals, Scrabbling at the Lock marked a turn toward melodic song structures that incorporated elements of free improvisation in The Ex's music. The album cover features the Montparnasse derailment that occurred in October 1895.

Single

The Ex recorded two versions of the Hungarian folk song, "Hidegen Fújnak a Szelek" ("Cold Winds Are Blowing"), one with Tom Cora and one without. The Coraless version appeared as the third 7" in The Ex's 6 singles series released the same year.

Track listing

1. "State of Shock" – 6:05
2. "Hidegen Fújnak a Szelek" – 3:17
3. "King Commie" – 3:28
4. "Crusoe" – 3:29
5. "The Flute's Tale" – 4:02
6. "A Door" – 5:05
7. "Propadada" – 4:19
8. "Batium" – 3:52
9. "Total Preparation" – 6:19
10. "1993" – 2:26
11. "Fire and Ice" – 6:05
12. "Sukaina" – 2:51

Personnel

• Terrie (guitar)
• G.W. Sok (vocals)
• Luc (bass)
• Andy (guitar)
• Katrin (drums, vocals)
• Tom Cora (cello)

Notes

• Cogan, Brian. Encyclopedia of Punk Music and Culture. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2006. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-313-33340-8.
• Mount, Heather. "Three Looks into The Ex". In Crane, Larry. Tape Op: The Book about Creative Music Recording, Volume 2. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation, 2010. pp. 230–233.
• Robbins, Ira A., ed. The Trouser Press Guide to '90s Rock: The all-new 5th edition of The Trouser Press Record Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997. ISBN 0684814374.
• Sok, G.W. A Mix of Bricks & Valentines: Lyrics 1979–2009. New York: PM Press, 2011.
• Temporary Services. Group Work. New York: Printed Matter, March 2007.