Arsenal (Chicago band)
Encyclopedia
Arsenal was an American
band, formed by the former Big Black
guitarist Santiago Durango
, after Big Black broke up. Durango was in law school at the time. Arsenal featured similar characteristics to Big Black (drum machine
, noisy guitar etc) but a much less abrasive sound, mainly due to the addition of a melodic keyboard sound on certain songs.
For the first record
, Santiago asked bassist Malachi Ritscher
(last name misspelled "Richter" in the credits) to play for him, resulting in the self-produced, four-song Manipulator
EP
released on Touch and Go Records
in 1988.
At this time they also appeared on Blast First
's Nothing Short of Total War compilation album
, with the song "Little Hitlers".
Then, in 1990, with bassist Pierre Kedzy, Arsenal released a second EP titled Factory Smog Is a Sign of Progress, also on Touch and Go Records.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
band, formed by the former Big Black
Big Black
Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
guitarist Santiago Durango
Santiago Durango
Santiago Durango is an American guitarist remembered for his work with the 1980s punk rock groups Naked Raygun and Big Black. Mostly retired from music as of the early 2000s, he works as an attorney.- Biography :...
, after Big Black broke up. Durango was in law school at the time. Arsenal featured similar characteristics to Big Black (drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
, noisy guitar etc) but a much less abrasive sound, mainly due to the addition of a melodic keyboard sound on certain songs.
For the first record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, Santiago asked bassist Malachi Ritscher
Malachi Ritscher
Malachi Ritscher was a musician, recording engineer, human rights activist, and anti-war protester. He came into the national spotlight through his self-immolation, an act of protest against the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Biography:Mark David Ritscher was born in Dickinson, North Dakota on January 13,...
(last name misspelled "Richter" in the credits) to play for him, resulting in the self-produced, four-song Manipulator
Manipulator EP
Manipulator is the first EP by Chicago band Arsenal. It was released in 1988 on Touch and Go Records in the U.S. and Blast First in England. It was also issued in 1990 on the CD version of Factory Smog is a Sign of Progress, Arsenal's second EP....
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
released on Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
in 1988.
At this time they also appeared on Blast First
Blast First
Blast First is a sub label of one-time independent record label, Mute Records, founded in approximately 1985. It was named after a phrase taken from the first number of the radical Vorticist journal Blast, published by Wyndham Lewis in 1914...
's Nothing Short of Total War compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, with the song "Little Hitlers".
Then, in 1990, with bassist Pierre Kedzy, Arsenal released a second EP titled Factory Smog Is a Sign of Progress, also on Touch and Go Records.
Discography (EPs)
- ManipulatorManipulator EPManipulator is the first EP by Chicago band Arsenal. It was released in 1988 on Touch and Go Records in the U.S. and Blast First in England. It was also issued in 1990 on the CD version of Factory Smog is a Sign of Progress, Arsenal's second EP....
(Touch and Go RecordsTouch and Go RecordsTouch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
/Blast FirstBlast FirstBlast First is a sub label of one-time independent record label, Mute Records, founded in approximately 1985. It was named after a phrase taken from the first number of the radical Vorticist journal Blast, published by Wyndham Lewis in 1914...
) (1988) - Factory Smog Is a Sign of ProgressFactory Smog Is A Sign Of ProgressFactory Smog is a Sign of Progress is a 45rpm 12" released by Arsenal on Touch and Go Records in 1990.Track Listing1. When Heads Collide2. The Enemy3. Lenin's Will4. Michelangelo's Penis5. Big Sky...
(Touch and Go Records) (1990)