January 2005

One Trick Arsenal

Chicago's local scene.  Some of the best local (and big) bands spurt out of Chicago.  If you were to ask some one that was really into Chicago's local scene what the top five or ten local bands were you'd probably hear One Trick Arsenal mentioned somewhere in there (especially if the person lives around the Oak Lawn area).

'So who is this One Trick Arsenal you are talking about?' you may ask.  Well, One Trick Arsenal formed in January 2003.  One Trick Arsenal(or OTA for short) is a post hardcore/indie band.  It's members' were Craig Hewitt (vocals/guitar), Bryan Knudsen (guitar/vocals), Mike Kosch (bass/vocals) and Steve McElheny (drums).  With the help of Nick Harvey (of Terribly Downhill) they acquired the name One Trick Arsenal.  This line-up of members released two demos and did a ton of shows that got their music career off to a pretty good start.  Then in November 2003, their drummer Steve, left the band and went on to a band called Ashlen.  One Trick Arsenal quickly found a replacement to keep their shows going (even though they did miss a few in the very beginning).  Their replacement drummer was Rick Markham (who was formly in Every Light: Red), who is still with the band 'til this very day.

Their early demos easily impressed tons of people from the Chicago area.  Their fans took a big liking to their song, "My Favorite Wound."  It got constantly requested to be played at their shows.  It eventually became a semi-permanent set ender.  Another song that fans liked was "Black Skies And Dark Stars."  OTA usually always try to play it at shows, but occasionally, due to set time being shorter, they are unable to play it.

So after a bunch of months of just playing shows, One Trick Arsenal decided it was time to record a full-length.  So in about May they started recording their full-length.  They went back and forth between playing shows and recording for the next five months.  The CD eventually got titled: Unmask What's Black.  After a couple of months into recording, Jon Clardy, who was their producer, became their vocalist and keyboardist.  One of his first shows with the band was at Oak Lawn High School on October 2, 2003.  Then on October 23, 2003, One Trick Arsenal had their CD release show at the ROL Rec Center in Mokena, IL.  Their CD is also on sale at Smartpunk.com.  When I heard their full-length, I was completely blown away.  The songs on there are amazing(lyrically and musically).

Quickly after their CD release, One Trick Arsenal did a tour.  Then they did a bunch of shows around their home area.  Their popularity around Chicago continues to increase (as it does in other areas, too).  Their performances, also, continue to amaze me to this day.  One Trick Arsenal shows are never a disappointment. R ight now, OTA is scheduled to do a tour with Ateriavia in late January and all of February.

So, if One Trick Arsenal ever ends up doing a show close to you, you should definitely go because when you leave you'll either be faceless (because they rocked your face off), your heart will be stolen by them (because you fell in love with them), or all of the above.  And if their performance didn't manage to do that, then pop their CD into the nearest cd player and it'll make sure that all of the above happens.

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