#hiddenvolume

RunHideFight serve up two fine cave-stompin’ sides of throwback rock on their debut single for Hidden Volume Records.  There’s so much here that really works on this 7″, especially for fans of the three chord monte style of garage rock that the group specializes in with just the right amount of power pop, and psychedelia folded into their sound to keep things interesting.   I mean would we expect anything else from a group that features should be national treasure Brother JT on lead guitar?  His guitar slinging on here may cause flashbacks to some his former work with legendary outfits, The Original Sins, and The Creatures of the Golden Dawn.  It’s a foundation which meshes perfectly with group leader Geeta Simons’ shredding vocal delivery, and acidic guitar lines which come courtesy of her unique custom made double neck 24 string 12/12 electric sitar, and only serve to enhance the urgency of the proceedings captured here; while the rhythm section of Christine Weiser (formerly of Mae Pang) on bass, and Jon Kois (Three 4 Tens, Marah) on drums holds down the bottom end and keep the proceedings kinetic.  For those who have worn out the grooves on their well-loved Nuggets compilations, there’s definitely something fresh here for those who love that urgent primal rock ‘n’ roll energy.

Buy the 45 from the group’s Bandcamp.

Sound Stalker talks to The Ar-Kaics about their 60's sound, upcoming releases and creative outlets.

How would you describe your sound?

"Kevin: We play 60s punkers, like back from the grave, pebbles and nuggets."

What or who influenced you to pursue a 60's style sound?

"Patty: Kevin’s a pretty dedicated garage collector, and we’re all into that stuff. Basically it’s the shit we listen to."

If The Ar-Kaics could be on any line-up in history, what would it be?

"Opening for the Remains, the Ronettes and the Beatles at Candlestick Park in SF, ’66."

What can people expect from your upcoming full length album on Windian Records?

"It has less fuzz than the singles, but some meaner solos. Some wussy numbers, mostly tough ones."

What do you look for in a label to release your music?

"Firstly, they have to want to release it. Secondly, they have to be willing to agree to release a 45 without a picture sleeve and with a simple label design. If they want to sweeten the deal with promotional matchbooks or fake business cards, we’re definitely gonna be on board."

When are you next in the studio?

"That’s a good question. We’re trying to get a setup going in someone’s house here in Richmond to do some tunes for a 45 Paul Messis wants to release. We like recording ourselves."

Do you have any other outlets for your creativity?

"Patty: Johnny is a bit of a Renaissance Man and does a lot of shit like fix up old cars, he built a decrepit porch out into what is currently his bedroom, and just recently repainted his kitchen. He makes pickles, sauerkraut, bakes pies, and collects R&B records. Kevin is a fiend for picking records, he scours the countryside for estate sales and weird junk shops and finds the best steals. Smokes a mean chicken wing. I’m not sure what Tim is up to, he seems to be sort of a mover. He makes things happen and is pretty good with people. That’s creative right? And I’m a librarian, I do a lot of arts workshops with kids, and I help run the Girls Rock Camp in Richmond. I also cook a lot and am really into plants."

What's your favourite record shop?

"We all really like Steady Sounds in Richmond, VA. We also have some favorite secret spots we don’t want to blow up.

What was the last record you bought?

Kevin: The Smacks on Alear. Timmy: Neil Norman, Tits from Mars.

Patty: The Howlin Wolf Album. It says, “This is Howlin Wolf’s new album. He doesn’t like it. He didn’t like his electric guitar at first either.”

Johnny: El Paso Rock Series comp from Norton."

What's the weirdest venue you've played at?

"The Cave in Chapel Hill NC is kinda weird. We hung out with people in the back on these big La-Z-Boy couches and watched The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly until it was time to play."

Is there a gig from your youth that really sticks out?

"Kevin and Johnny went to see the Ventures with Johnny’s dad when they were kids at the Birchmere, and shared an Onion Tangle. It was the all-original lineup except for the drummer, who had died, and his son played in his place."

What have you been listening to today?

"Kevin listened to sports radio.

Patty listened to the Gories in her car on the way to work.

We all just listened to “Tits from Mars” after Tim said he bought it because what the hell kind of song title is that? It’s decent. Tim also listened to ELO really loud last night in the dark, wearing sunglasses, because he got stoned.

Johnny said he's been listening to J.S. Bach recently, and described it as "a wild ass ride."

Are there any plans to tour the UK/ Europe?

"Nothing concrete yet, but we’re hoping to do that soon!"

What are you looking forward to this year?

"We want to go out to the west coast and to the UK and Europe, and write and release lots more records. We are all hoping to get better jobs, find love, and lose weight."

The Ar-kaics have released two blinding 7"s so far and there's plenty more to come. 

There's a whole blend of sounds coming through to make a great fuzzy garage punk explosion smiling at the 60's. 

Their debut "She does those things to me/ Don't need your love" released on speakertree records is now out of print.

But their second 7" Why should I?/ Slave to her lies is still available via Windian Records.

They've got loads going on - upcoming 7"s on Hidden Volume and Steady Sounds and a full length on Windian Records. 

'Sick and Tired/ Cut me down' 7" on Hidden Volume, a personal favourite, out at the end of this month.

Check out their bandcamp for all their recordings to date.