Arm Minneapolis,
MN
L-R: Mark, Bob, Nathan
photo by Daniel Cote
Bob Drake – drums
Nathan Grumdahl – bass
Mark Sorvari – guitar, vocals
Liner notes for the new Arm Universal Standard Time CD, as written
by Hiro Tanaka...
In Fall 1992 in Minneapolis, Minnesnowta, Arm formed by Mark Sorvari
(guitar, vocal), Bob Drake (drums), and Nathan Grumdahl AKA the
Viking (bass, vocal).
First contact was in First Avenue, when Mark was on solo mission
to see a show. He had nothing to do besides watch a band. He
locked on target on Bob to play pool and they talked about rocking
out together some time. A few days later Bob told Nathan
about meeting Mark and they needed a baaad asss bass player to
start a band. Once these homies made killer noise, this super
electric relation started.
They recorded 2 songs at Am Rep recording studio in 1993 and released
first 7" "Suddenly Sorry" in 1994 on the Generic
Label. In 1995 they released the 3 song 7" "Simple
Victim" on Lori Barbero's (Babes In Toyland) label Spanish
Fly Records. Recorded self-released first full length "Arm" in
Spring 1996 with Chris Rosenau (night owl - but fucking shit dude)
from Pele at Madison, Wisconsin. It was released on vinyl
only, 1000 copies were pressed. After that, they played sooo
many shows and toured like maniac (include crispy sox). They went
back into the studio in 1997. Recorded 5 songs at Am Rep
recording studio with Dave Gardner AKA Sammy Geee (played kick
ass bass in Selby Tigers with Nathan), but it never was released.
They had their last show one month later at Turf Club in St.Paul
in October.
I met them in 1994 at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis when
I was visiting Minnesnowta from Japan. My first contact was numero
uno experience, more honor than I deserve, that they are my first
band to see in USA across the ocean. My ghetto ass Kleenex ear
plug doesn't cut the right frequency. I was like hooleee shite!
This shit is loud... it brought me to stairway-to-Mars situation. I
decided to try to talk to them right after they played. I desperately
needed to get their records though my communication skill is not
enough to negotiate and purchase someshite. But, I scored Suddenly
Sorry 7" and close encounter. They hooked me up like a tow
truck. And the boss Lori's TCB made great social opportunity at
show, muchas scratch your ass, Barbero san.
They brought me on a weekend tour with Guzzard to Iowa. When we
were sippin' on gin and juice laid back in the van. Mark and Bob
started fighting while Mark was driving. They throw things and
yelling each other, my low-tech brain can only pick up what they
are saying was "fuck you" and "fuck off". The
Viking was like "F that shit I'm gonna chill" he was
reading gigantic book during the mini chaos. And they made pee
bomb and throw it to freeway, while they are driving... USA USA
free country.....
At show they were fighting again. Only played a few songs, most
of the time Mark was making some loud ass noise and Bob threw the
drum set and jumped on the cymbal then gave it to somebody. Nathan
was the only one who tried to play. That was the jam. This shite
is super genius.
I discovered soooooo many shite through broing down with Arm dudes.
Killer amigos, Burritos. BBQ USA style, jack shack, afro, baad
assss touring and more electric shite I have never expected. We
couldn't really talk cause I coudnt speak English when I met them
but that wasn't really the matter maybe..... even better that way
some time. It's like eating lips and assholes (hot dog) with mustard
but with out ketchup in midwest. Beautiful memories twinkle twinkle
in my eye balls. Emotional content not anger, this shite keep the
rhythm.
Currently, Bob is playing drums in End Transmission. Nathan played
Guitar in Selby Tigers and Sean Na Na (Tillmann), now he plays
in Monarques. Mark played in Revival Fires and now he got marred
with Nao Koyama (bass player from Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss
Her) and moved to Tokyo.
~Hiro Tanaka (#1 rawka!)
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