ARSON
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF
Music
Press
The last time Canadian glitterpunks Arson released a record, the Sex Pistols were still together. Who knows what happened from then until now, probably the same bullshit that happened to all of us: drunk tanks, alimony suits, grunge-rock, maybe a coma or two. I mean, whatever. The point is, grimy peacock Rude van Steenes and his guitar slinging partner-in-punk Marcel La Fleur ran into each other in some Toronto back alley last year and decided it was finally time to get that goddamn debut album off the ground. Rarely does “better late than never” ever really pan out, but holy smokes, do they nail the dirty, proto-punk slither of their former-contemporaries on this collection of wall-to-wall hits. Needle-punk jammers like Love on a Leash, Telephone Drone and the careening Art School Fool have all the obnoxious swagger of the Dead Boys, Dolls and Hanoi Rocks, as well as a smattering of glammy new-wave that brings to mind the Psychedelic Furs and Japan before they turned into (ahem) art school fools. Killer comeback. - Classic Rock Magazine
The repro of ARSON s rare 1979 single is a standout. CoHo CoHo is a straight-ahead rock n roll mover with hot Wayne Kramer meets Chuck Berry guitar leads while the B side (Livin With The) White Folks is a slower, dirgier affair with attitude-soaked, slightly unhinged vocals that remind me a bit of The Weirdos John Denney
Mike Stax, Reissue 45 s Reviewed
Ugly Things #34 - Mike Stax, Reissue 45 s Reviewed
Bonus points for producing a passel of proto-punk puds which are cooked to perfection by a forefront frazzle of loud and snooty stereophonic guitars that will smearcase your schnozz while the bottom end of the band does some serious below deck buffeting. - Machine Rock's Media Blackout # 1 (Jeffrey Morgan)
And if (Guitarist) La Fleur solid Kieth Richards guitar anchors (vocalist) van Steenes Mick Jagger, then rhythm guitarist Bart Lewis is Johnny Thunders, bassist John Sutton is Jeff Magnum and drummer David Quinton is Keith Moon.... - Jaimie Vernon
Just in, folks, the awesome new, hot of the press ARSON CD. is a limited edition and comes in a mini LP gate fold jacket. If your thing is Iggy/Bowie/Classic Punk/70s Glam and even a bit of Stones thrown in for good measure, then you dont want to miss out....
Scott Cramer - Scott Cramer
The title track is my favourite, a high-power Detroit-damaged punk ripper that comes charging out of the starting gate before coughing up the catchiest chorus of a record with no shortage of catchy choruses, then whips out some of the most incendiary lead guitar (and harp!) of the entire set.
The production is excellent, with the strong, expressive vocals out front occasionally surrendering the spotlight to some seriously tasty lead guitar, and the rhythm section rock solid throughout....but dont just take my word for it, go buy your own copy! - Simon Harvey - Ugly Pop Vinyl
Ask anyone who’s ever heard them live and they’ll tell you that ARSON sonically sutures the Detroit destruction of the Stooges and MC5; the New York noise of the Velvet Underground and New York Dolls; and the British brainpower of the Stranglers and Clash....... - Jeffrey Morgan, authorized biographer of Alice Cooper and The Stooges
Toronto’s ARSON, didn’t take to the stage until 11:00pm. After powering through the first half of their 30-minute set, lead singer, Rude van Steenes, addressed the crowd with a brief apology, “we’re sorry to make you wait, but we’re giving you what you want”. ARSON originated as a band in the ‘70s as well and have reunited in 2010 to play gigs. After the band banged out a few more Stooges/New York Dolls-esque songs, the Canadian punk legends finished their energetic performance. - AESTHETIC MAGAZINE TORONTO
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
In 2010, vocalist/composer Rude van Steenes and guitarist Marcel La Fleur rekindled their alliance and revived the band ARSON to continue their creatively inspired journey. Channeling influences from The Stooges, Velvet Underground, New York Dolls and MC5, they collaborated on new material that would capture a contemporary sound while retaining the frenzied energy that had always fueled their partnership.
Along with John Sutton (Weakerthans, All Systems Go!) on bass & vocals, and David Quinton (Mods, Dead Boys, Stiv Bators, Strange Advance) on drums, ARSON has quickly established itself as a band on the rise in Toronto. Described by musician/columnist/author (Canadian Music Encyclopedia Vol 1 & 2) Jaimie Vernon as "20/20 hindsight reveals that ARSON were/are actually a true-blue American Rock n Roll band owing nothing to the Ramones and everything to Iggy & The Stooges, MC5, and The New York Dolls". Shows at NXNE, CMW, The Phoenix Concert Hall, The Bovine, The Horseshoe, Lees Palace, Zaphod Beeblebrox, The Cameron House & Cherry Colas garnered attention from old fans and introduced a younger audience to a band that delivers a full on, fervent live performance. Ripple Rock Radio of Finland aired ARSON's "Love On A Leash" during a podcast featuring an interview with Sam Sutherland, author of Perfect Youth: the Birth of Canadian Punk.
ARSONs new CD Not Always About You, mastered by Mark Christensen at Engine Room Audio in New York is comprised of 11 original tracks of potent and untainted rock n roll written and produced by ARSON and released in June, 2013. ARSON is currently writing material for their next album.
Band Members
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