Inspired by bold and brash glam rock, power pop, and punk, Washington, D.C.'s power trio Ex Hex feature singer/guitarist Mary Timony (also of Helium and Wild Flag), bassist Betsy Wright, and drummer Laura Harris. Timony first connected with Harris, who also played with Benjy Ferree and the Aquarium; after Wright -- a former member of the Fire Tapes -- joined the fold, the trio began recording in Timony's basement and playing shows with artists including Superchunk's Mac McCaughan.
Late in 2013, it was announced that Ex Hex signed to McCaughan's label, Merge Records. The band's debut single, "Hot and Cold," arrived in March 2014 with an even more streamlined and straightforward sound than Timony pursued with Wild Flag. For their first full-length, Rips, Ex Hex worked with producer Mitch Easter as well as Timony's frequent collaborator Jonah Takagi; Bobby Harlow of the Go and Conspiracy of Owls mixed the album. Rips arrived in October 2014.
