Thank you once again Nurse Kat for coming on Grab A Stack of Rock to talk about a band we both love:  Hamilton Ontario’s Arkells.  It isn’t her first time, as last year we did a show focusing largely on her 13 concert experiences (now 20).  Check out Nurse Kat’s first show by clicking here!

This time, we did a deep dive.  We went album by album, from Jackson Square to today:  the brand new release, Disco Loadout Volume One.  If I do say so myself, I think this is the most comprehensive Arkells deep dive you will find.

My friend D’Arcy Briggs was unable to attend the show, but he provided ample notes and we presented his views on each album in the form of short videos.  Additionally, we ran excerpts with commentary of three Arkells music videos:  “Oh, the Boss is Coming”, “All Roads”, and “Past Life”, which allow us to view the evolution of the band.

Show highlights:

• Concert stories with Kat, including a brilliant one about a port-a-potty in a rainstorm whilst the band played “A Little Rain”.
• Favourite songs from each and every album.
• A discussion on the music, artwork, and lyrics of the Arkells.
• What is a “Michigan Left”?
• First impressions on Disco Loadout.
• A heartwarming Kopp cameo.

That’s right.  The Mad Metal Man himself, who also ordered Disco Loadout, made a brief cameo at the end of our show, and we love him for it.  I missed my Mad Metal Man.

Thank yous:

• Nurse Kat for spending your time with us instead of Bob’s Burgers.
• Harrison Kopp for saying hello.
• Chris and Mark at Encore Records for saving the day and getting me the new album when Canada Post lost it.

Next week is a re-run of Top Five Bald Artists.  Speaking of which, I may look a little different this week.  Spot the change!

 

 

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My notes:

 

Jackson Square – 2008

• Deadlines – heaviest tune?
• Oh the Boss is Coing!
• Ballad of Hugo Chavez – “Night of the sun”
• Heart of the City – anthemic
• The Blueprint – sounds awesome a-capella

Michigan Left – 2011

• Book Club
• Michigan Left
• Coffee
• Bloodlines
• Whistleblower

High Noon – 2014

• Too many good songs to mention, but has the best first three song opening of any Arkells album.  Add in Leather Jacket and we have a winner

Morning Report – 2016

• Too many good songs!  Knocking at the Door, Hung Up, Making Due, My Heart’s Always Yours, Savannah, Passenger Seat, A Little Rain, And Then Some

Rally Cry – 2018 – sudden change in cover art style, more political than personal lyrics

• Hand Me Downs, but the version with Frank Turner is even better
• American Screams

Campfire Chords – 2020

• Three new songs:  Years In The Making, Quitting You, A Little More

Blink Once – 2021

• All Roads
• Strong
• Nobody Gets Me Like You Do
• Years In The Making
• Arm In Arm

Blink Twice – 2022

• Past Life (Cold War Kids)
• Teenage Tears (Tegan & Sara)
• Nowhere To Go w/ Wesley Schultz (Lumineers) & Jake Clemons

Laundry Pile – 2023

• Life
• Skin

Disco Loadout Vol. 1 – 2024

• Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)