A friend of mine recently described now-defunct Rhode Island noise rock nudists Arab on Radar as "AIDS Wolf, but good." The unfortunately diseased Canidae he utilized for this comparison is the provocatively-named Montréal noise thrash band.
Unfortunately, Arab on Radar broke up a little before my time (2003 to be exact...not that I was not yet into music at that time, I simply could not comprehend noise rock back then) and I never had the chance to see their chaotic live performances (that apparently were replete with nudity). On the other hand, I have had the deafening pleasure of seeing AIDS Wolf a few times now and have left each show with a sore body and ringing ears. I am unsure of the long-term effects to my overall health these shows have spawned, but I hope when I sit in my rocking chair in Boca and have to say "what?" more than Small John, Disreputable Big, and all those other rapping fellows I will believe the hearing loss to be worth it.
I do not believe Arab on Radar to be a "better" AIDS Wolf. Yes, they both employ spiraling, heavily distorted guitars, screeching vocals, and vertigo-inducing stop-start rhythm, but I find it difficult to compare the two bands. In fact, I liken Arab on Radar more to the Mae-Shi if anyone. But who am I to judge? Decide for yourself, you blog-gazing scoundrel!
