EX-iGNOTA - Press

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Alternative Press #129)
The defunct and apparently well-read Ex-Ignota fare better with their first album, "Jammin' On The One". Those for whom the words "Clikatat Ikatowi" resonate like Jehovah's name will appreciate these 15 tracks for their shrill treble guitars, their intense mood shifts, and their cryptic, sub-Faulknerian/Joycean lyrics.

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Dogprint #13)
I wonder if there's still interest today in a band like Ex-Ignota - maybe a few years back. But today the music scene seems to be overwhelmed with so much stuff - diversified styles - that an "old" band like this one may actually do some good. They've lost their hardcore roots (remember the Ebullition era?) and now these guys are doing a more post-hardcore/new wave late 80s rock. The music is well played out, especially on the instrumental songs; the tunes with vocals are like a roller coaster: good and bad. The good ones are reminding me of new wave mixed with punk, and the ones that don't do much for me it's probably due to the use of the vocals in that particular song. After all, this is an interesting record.

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Your Flesh, fall 1999)
Spawned in the morass of self-righteous social politics and moronic philosophical inquiry that is Goleta, California (beachfront hub to UC Santa Barbara), this varied hardcore ensemble seemed to carve its name on the back of the beast that is Heartattack 'zine and almost escape unscathed (though they only survived from 1994 until 1997). But within this 15-track posthumous album, these five barely-legal beach boys manage to render some bleak noise-drone, Ranaldo-esque guitar tunings, explosive spazz-hardcore, Minutemen neo-jazz and sensibly cynical lyrics. Surprisingly versatile and impious.

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Skyscraper #3)
Every time I listen to this I'm left absolutely amazed. It's banging and clattering through a song like "Gold Syndrome", then it's creating a magnificent soundscape on "It Makes You Smarter" or "Jang Kang". I haven't heard a hardcore record this dynamic in years. Ex-Ignota are capable of creating fast raging songs as well as somber instrumental symphonies and somehow manage to balance out the record perfectly. There's not too much of either and you're never left feeling that the two fit awkwardly. The songs are all connected and the album is intended to be listened to as a whole. If done so, "Jammin' On The One" is more than a record - it is an experience. Each song joins one another, and together they create something greater than the sum of their parts. A brilliant album.

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Punk Planet #31)
So-Cal kids that are too cool for school. A little reminder of why we liked that Gravity sound way back when, updated for '99. Always unpredictable, never boring.

Ex-Ignota - "Amy's Day/Truce" 7" (Skyscraper #5)
Nearly four years may have elapsed since Ex-Ignota recorded this pair of songs to eight-track tape, but they still hit with a power and vitality too often void in hardcore music. Even before the fully developed sound which they achieved on their first and final full-length, "Jammin' On The One", Ex-Ignota were steps ahead of their peers, creating inventive and experimental hardcore - the product of artistic minds. Their jagged, discordant, and at times beautiful guitars create an almost cinematic listen. "Amy's Day" is an expression of their more straightforward fast and raging side while "Truce" displays their ability toward diverse, melodic songwriting. Ex-Ignota pass through areas of post-punk, hardcore, and art rock while maintaining something quite unique. Possible comparisons range from Fugazi to Sonic Youth; but no matter how you see it, they're far from typical. These two songs originally appeared on their split CD with Uranium 9 Volt.

Ex-Ignota - "Lazarus Is Back" 7" (HeartattaCk #12)
Like myself, Ex-Ignota is influenced by all musical styles but cannot be compared to any single band. This is what makes their shows so much fun time after time, and this is what keeps their record on my turntable. Here they do two rockin' hardcore numbers and one experimental track. Each member contributes to the individuality on the record, but Ben's vocals are by far my favorite. I cannot sit still while listening to this.

Ex-Ignota - "Amy's Day/Truce" 7" (Punk Planet #28)
This came out like three years ago. Ex-Ignota mixes sitars with guitars with distortion and plays noisy experimental hardcore. This is good.

Ex-Ignota - "Amy's Day/Truce" 7" (Muddle #13)
I really liked this record. Screamy hardcore along the lines of the more experimental hardcore bands. Two really good songs that can be erratic at time but good all in all.

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Diminutive Distribution)
Very experimental chaotic hardcore, at times reminiscent of Fugazi but way more odd sounding.

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Schtufff Mailorder)
Best known for their 7" on Ebullition, this Goleta band has a very experimental feel to their versatile sound. Truly one of a kind sound, live off the floor; some parts emo hardcore, some parts weirdo noise jam.

Ex-Ignota - "Jammin' On The One" CD (Rhetoric Mailorder)
After numerous other releases, we get the first full-length! Melodic emo with mellow breaks, then breaking into stop-n-go guitar DCish parts!

Ex-Ignota - "Lazarus Is Back" 7" (Very Distribution)
Melodic emo with mellow breaks then breaking into stop-n-go, heavy guitar DCish parts with a nice little indie groove at times. Vocals go from deep whining to full on screaming. Clever packaging and lyric booklet.

Ex-Ignota - "Amy's Day/Truce" 7" (Initial Mailorder)
This certainly isn't your typical hardcore. Pretty original and experimental stuff by these California dwellers that ranges from melodic acoustic parts to stop and go heaviness.

Ex-Ignota - "Amy's Day/Truce" 7" (Very Distribution)
This follow up to their Ebullition EP goes from slow and minimal to faster, upbeat with pissed screaming and driving music. I could see them breaking their instruments live.