Boris Bessarabov recently talked with Klaus Brunnenkant of A.R.C. Rock Band to get his answers to Boris' questions. This interview is from 2005.
1. Well Klaus, A.R.C.'s history is quite a hazy issue these days, so would you mind telling me how did you guys start the band and go on about it ? Was there anything prior to that ?
We came together by advertising for a new bass player ( Tony
Howe - Haysom ) when our original bass player decided to stick with women.
Our drummer ( Chris Ashcroft ) was in the beginning just a pal and came to
watch us rehearse, then he took the place of our original drummer who moved
elsewhere. That is when the true A.R.C. came into play. I had been in quite
a few music bands on and off, but I wanted to go in a different direction.
Tony, Chris and myself had good all round view of the music we wanted to play.
2. How about the band name ? Does A.R.C. stand as an abbreviation for something
? Your name generated some confusement among NWOBHM fans during the years.
You were considered to be an early incarnation of the Worcestershire bunch
Arc who issued two singles, in 1980 and 1981. Ever heard of these chaps ?
A.R.C. stands for nothing, as in an arc of light, we were not
the other chaps from Worcestershire. And I have not heard of them.
3. You got the Homemade Wine 7'' out in 1979 on the Rock Records label. How
did the recordings and sales of the 7'' go ?
All went well and all gone.
4. I understand A.R.C. was mostly about playing live. Tell me a bit about
your experiences during gigging. Where did you use to play ? Did you have
gigs all around England ?
Yes, we were mostly a live band. We played all over from clubs to
town halls, we played with the crowds and not just at them, with a finale
never to forget ( DMDF ) Dead men don't fly, which was never recorded. My
equipment was 2 strats, two Marshall's and a Hiwatt through 4x12s and miked
up. Tony ( Bassist ) Fender Jazz Bass and 2 Orange 2x15 reflex bass bins,
plus Orange amps. Chris ( Drummer ) Hayman showman kit fully miked up as was
Tony's gear. The list goes on but that is enough.
5. Did you gather a lot of people on gigs ? I suppose you had a good local
following in your home area ...
We had a good following from near and far, from bikers to hairies.
6. You played during the period when bands such as Samson, Iron Maiden and
Def Leppard were just coming around, so how was it back then, playing good
ol' hard rock music ?
Yes, these bands were on the go at the same time, but completely
different from us as we were a three piece rock outfit, who didn't give a
shit and played wild three man rock. And it was great and it felt great.
7. In your local area, do you recall any other good bands who played rock
and metal music that might be already long forgotten ?
Not really, we out lived them all locally.
8. So why did you guys finally split up ? Could've been nice to go on playing
....
No, we could not really have gone on, we did what we wanted
to do and had a lot of fun, thus various commitments drifted us apart, yet
still great friends ! Chris and Tony could never have been replaced, they
were both excellent at what they did and that is without question.
9. What are you up to now ? Are you in touch with your old band mates ?
I am still writing and arranging, with the view of perhaps putting
something together. ( you never know ). I have not seen Chris or Tony for
a long time, but they are great lads.
10. Any musical plans for the future ? Maybe a revival of some sort ? Couple
of local gigs or a release of unheard material on CD ?
There will not be a reunion of A.R.C. . But have a few things
in the pipe line.
11. You did tell me before that you have some unrelased
sessions on master tapes. Could you tell me in more specific detail about
that stuff ?
At this point I cannot give any details of any unreleased material.
( that is under consideration at the moment ).
12. Well I guess that's it. If there's anything you'd like to add of your
own, that's the time. In any case, thanx for answering Klaus, cheers.
I am always open to offers, sorry to have taken so long to answer
you back Boris !