Arcwelder
Minneapolis’ Arcwelder made some beautiful noise in the 90’s, releasing 6 albums all told. Fuzzed out guitar, alternating vocals, strong hooks, noisy pop melodies - Arcwelder always reminded of a latter day Husker Du. While still technically an active band, the trio of Scott Macdonald and brothers Bill and Rob Graber haven’t released an album in 7 years. Presented for your listening pleasure are Arcwelder’s two 7″ released on Touch & Go. While not their best work (check the bands sonic masterpiece Pull or the nearly as great follow up Xerxes), these records hold their own. The Raleigh 7″ comes from demos recorded prior to Pull in 1992. A more refined version of “Raleigh” made it onto Pull, “Walls” and “Rosa” appear only here. The Captain Allen 7″ appeared in 1995 as a stop-gap until Entropy could be released. The gem here is an on the mark cover of the Volcano Suns “White Elephant”. I’d love to hear something more from the band, but I’m not holding my breath.
from 1992’s Raleigh 7″
Arcwelder - Raleigh.mp3
Arcwelder - Walls.mp3
Arcwelder - Rosa.mp3
from 1995’s Captain Allen 7″
Arcwelder - Captain Allen.mp3
Arcwelder - White Elephant.mp3
Not as if anyone would have noticed, but those first two sentences are recycled from an earlier Arcwelder post. I’m just phonin’ this shit in now.
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Absolutely loving this, thanks a bunch for posting it. I will most definitely be tracking down any of their recorded output.
This is killer, reminds me of Houston another minneapolis rocker a bit. totally need to find that CD you mention
Band was originally named Tilt-A-Whirl but after a spell and after a release or two (at least one was a 7″ EP, I think on Chris “Windy City Stud” Johnson’s Big Money Records) the manufacturer of the carnival ride they got their namesake from served the band with a cease and desist order. Consequently, they redubbed themselves Arcwelder. Pretty smoking live band that was further validated/minted as a “bigger” local act when the Chicago scene embraced them as their own. Classic case of a band making good outside their home turf before their local brethren finally inched closer to the stage…
The Big Money records Arcwelder released were an LP called “This” (as Tiltawhirl), a 7″ with two tracks from that album, an LP called “Jacket Made In Canada” (fantastic album, very Mission of Burma), and a 7″ with covers of “I Am The Walrus” and “Sign O’ The Times,” that I think was untitled, but called the “More Popular Than Chesses” single in BMI catalogsand a CD with the two 12″s (of which all three copies I bought got stolen, and now it’s a bitch to find). All great stuff.
I saw them open for Shellac a year or so ago. Felt one-offish, though they were still good. Circa ‘89-’92 they were plain amazing.
Eric
I have one unheard-of unreleased disc of theirs (only of interest to a huge fan), and I’d be happy to send you a copy as a thanks for all the cool stuff you’ve posted. Hit me up at the email if you’re interested.
Oops. Address didn’t post.
It’s mill_hills ~a~ yahoo
And that’s “Cheeses,” not chesses.
Metard.
Agree with all of the above — great band, especially live. Really hilarious guys too. I still remember laughing out loud repeatedly while reading their interview in No Idea fanzine. I only saw them once (they didn’t come out East too frequently, I don’t think) but they totally destroyed. Show was at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, opening for some lesser band, and only about 6 people showed up. It was pretty apparent they were channeling all the frustration and anger they were feeling into their instruments that night and they wound up pulling out one of the best and most memorable sets I’ve ever seen any band do. All the releases are great, but I definitely put the “Xerxes” LP on top. Thanks for the post!
Hey!!!
I just discovered your blog,great job!!!!
And it’s even better when I read a post about the awesome Arcwelder!!!!
One of the most underrated band on earth,very sad. I had the chance to see them live at ATP curated by Shellac,what a show!!!!
Rumors abound that Arcwelder will be playing at the 25th anniversary of Touch & Go records in Chicago this September. Though at this point they aren’t confirmed (23 of the 25 slots are filled) so it may merely be a rumor. Either way, it’s going to be one heck of a show:
!!!
The Black Heart Procession
Calexico
CocoRosie
Didjits (all original members)
Enon
The Ex
Girls Against Boys (all original members)
Killdozer (all original members)
Ted Leo + Pharmacists
Man… Or Astroman? (all original members)
Negative Approach (featuring John Brannon and OP Moore)
The New Year
Pegboy
Pinback
Quasi
Scratch Acid (all original members)
Seam
Shellac
The Shipping News
Supersystem
Three Mile Pilot
Uzeda
Ааану-ка ребтяки оглосему!!!
Признваатесь проказники и влмедльцы сайта www.somethingilearned.com ))))
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