Arms Race (band)

Arms Race were an English hardcore punk band formed in London in 2012. They were a part of the New Wave of British Hardcore.[1][2]

Arms Race
OriginLondon, England
GenresHardcore punk
Years active2012–2019
LabelsQuality Control, La Vida Es Un Mus, Painkiller
Associated actsThe Flex, Violent Reaction, Chubby and the Gang, Abolition, Crown Court, Game
Past members

History

Arms Race was formed at end of 2012, by Nick Stab, Ola Herbich, Patrick Henderson and Oli McVean in an attempt to make music that merged the sounds of United Blood, Condemned 84 and The Partisans. They released their first demo as a band in 2013.[3] On 1 October 2014, they released their debut EP Gotta Get Out, through Quality Control HQ and Painkiller Records.[4] In April 2015, they played Washington D.C.'s Damaged City Festival.[5] In June 2015, they toured the U.S. with co-headliner Violent Reaction.[6][7] The same year, Henderson departed from the band, due to scheduling issues, and artist Nicky Rat from Belgium, took on his role.[3] In October 2017, they toured Japan.[8] In October 2016, they played Toronto's No Dead Yet Festival.[2][9] On 8 February 2018, they released their second EP The Best through La Vida Es Un Mus and Painkiller Records.[10] In September 2018, they played on the Saturday of Ready Festival,[11] followed by playing a free show at London's Dr. Martens store with Higher Power and Stages in Faith.[1] In April 2018, they played Damaged City Festival 2018.[12] The played their final show at Damage is Done festival on 22 November 2019, with The Flex, Payday, Ekulu and Big Cheese.[13]

Musical style

The band's music merges elements of U.S. hardcore bands like early Agnostic Front and SSD with U.K. hardcore like Chaos UK and Charged GBH, as well as elements of oi! and death metal.[14][15] Their earliest influences were the sounds of United Blood, Condemned 84 and The Partisans.[3] They are considered a hardcore punk band.[16][17] In an article for Stereogum, Tom Breihan described them as "what might’ve happened if Motörhead had decided that they wanted to be Youth Of Today".[16]

Members
Final
  • Nicholas "Stab" Sarnella – vocals (2012–2019)
  • Ola Herbich – guitar (2012–2019)
  • Charlie "Chubby Charles" Fresh – guitar (2012–2019)
  • Nicky Rat – bass (2015–2019)
  • LLoyd Clipston – drums (2018–2019)
Former
  • Oli McVean – drums (2012–2016)
  • Patrick Henderson – bass (2012–2015)
  • Tom Pimlott – drums (2016–2018)

Discography
Albums
  • New Wave of British Hardcore (2016)
EPs
  • Gotta Get Out (2014)
  • The Beast (2018)
Compilations
  • New Nonsense (2015)

References
  1. "HIGHER POWER PLAYED THE DR. MARTENS BOOT ROOM AND IT WAS WILD". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  2. GILLIS, CARLA (9 August 2016). "Not Dead Yet unveils more programming: Warthog, Vexx, No Tolerance". Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  3. "Arms Race". Classe Criminelle (1).
  4. "Photos: Violent Reaction at Second Empire in Philly". 29 June 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  5. "Here's Your First Look at Damaged City Festival 2015". Vice Media. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  6. "UK Hardcore Band Violent Reaction Say "Leave Me Out" on New Revelation LP". Vice Media. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  7. "UK Hardcore Band Violent Reaction Say "Leave Me Out" On New Revelation LP". Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  8. "British hardcore band Arms Race announce Japan tour dates". 8 July 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  9. "Not Dead Yet 2016 initial lineup (GLOSS, Turnstile, etc) ++ Lock playing NYC". Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  10. Hereth, Simon (5 February 2018). "ARMS RACE RELEASES NEW EP "THE BEAST"". Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  11. Gabell, Matt. "Ready Fest: Merauder, Arms Race, Insist + Other HC Greats Pummel London (PHOTOS)". Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  12. PESSARO, FRED (27 October 2017). "HARDCORE AND PUNK FESTIVAL DAMAGED CITY REVEALS 2018 LINEUP". Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  13. Hereth, Simon (22 October 2019). "ARMS RACE - BRITISH HARDCORE PUNK BAND DISSOLVES". Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  14. Alva, Freddy. "The New Wave of British Hardcore". Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  15. "Arms Race The Beast E.P. (2018)". Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  16. Breihan, Tom (5 February 2018). "Stream Arms Race The Beast EP". Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  17. "ARMS RACE". Retrieved 16 November 2019.
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