Name: Dignity Of Labour
Brand: The Ex

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SV 183

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Colour

black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2021-11-19

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Revol­ver

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

857661008834

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

The Ex

Genre US

Punk - Hardcore

Label US

Superior Viaduct

In 1981, The Ex started squatting Villa Zuid, an estate overlooking abandoned Van Gelder paper factory in the village of Wormer, Netherlands. Formerly the home of the factory’s manager, the Villa briefly served as the band’s base of operations and would inspire one of The Ex’s most impactful, enduring albums in their 40+ year history. 

Originally released in 1983, <i>Dignity Of Labour</i> is “our idea of improvised industrial punk noise,” states Ex-frontman G.W. Sok, which not only offers a perfect summation of these idiosyncratic sounds, but also of the group’s music in the decades to come. 

During its heyday, Van Gelder employed over 1,000 workers. By 1981, it had gone bankrupt, following the takeover and divestment of a multinational corporation. Having saved the Villa from demolition through squatting, The Ex pored over newspaper articles, interviews and business records to tell the story of the factory and the people whose labor brought it to life—an unparalleled example of DIY archival action. 

With new drummer Sabien Witteman bringing polyrhythmic accents and a supporting crew of agitators (credits include piledriver, bus engine, printing press, etc.), The Ex recorded eight tracks in-studio and then played them back in the ruins of the factory while recording the playback—giving <i>Dignity Of Labour</i> a haunting sense of space that is at once cavernous and decaying. 

This first-time vinyl reissue (configured as single LP) comes with 24-inch x 18-inch poster and 24-page booklet.

Dignity Of Labour

Music US