ArcAttack
ArcAttack is a performance art group that specializes in playing music through a combination of home made, high tech instruments and more traditional instruments such as guitar and bass.[1]
The main attraction of their performance is the use of two custom built Singing Tesla Coils, which have been modified to play musical notes by modulating their spark output. The group also utilizes a robot drum kit, which is computer controlled via a custom micro controller, that has been programmed to interpret MIDI data and mechanically actuate it's drum sticks accordingly.[2]
Aside from the automated musical machines and live performers, ArcAttack also incorporates a stunt man, who MC's the show, and engages the Tesla Coils by walking through the electricity wearing a relatively thin chain mail Faraday suit.[3]
History
In Austin, Texas, late 2005, ArcAttack began developing the Singing Tesla Coil with the help of Steve Ward, a veteran Tesla Coiler from Illinois. The design developed quickly, and after several iterations the instrument reached it's present form. In 2007, Craig Newswanger of Resonance Studios provided the performance with another high tech gadget, a robotic drum kit, contributing to the sound and the spectacle. All the while, friends around the country were helping generate musical content for the new technology to play. In 2007, John DiPrima, the main contributor of original Tesla coil music, moved down from Chicago to help the process evolve further. In January of 2008, ArcAttack was finally named. Tony Smith, an old friend of the DiPrima's and a guitarist who had been assisting the group since mid 2006, began helping to write some tunes. Later, the group would meet Patrick 'Parsec' Brown, their MC and Faraday Suit stunt man. Another songwriter and old friend, Andrew Mansberger, moved from Seattle to contribute with guitar and keyboards, completing the crew.
Band Members
Joe DiPrima is both the chief engineer and leader of the group. His passion for electronics and music were kindled at a young age, and continue to the present. With some help from some friends, he has designed the majority of the Tesla Coils and written the software that controls them. He plays guitar on stage, and handles the majority of the booking and correspondence.
Tony Smith plays bass guitar and baritone guitar for ArcAttack. Like John, Joe and Andrew, he is originally from Michigan where he has played in several bands since a young age. He also writes some of the group's music, and is an energetic performer.
John DiPrima is a student at Columbia College Chicago working towards a degree in acoustical engineering and live sound reinforcement. He has composed the majority of ArcAttack's music, and plays drums during performances. When necessary, he is also the group's sound man, having worked for such acts as the Rick Reicht Band, One Eyed Doll and Monte Montgomery.
Patrick 'Parsec' Brown, was adopted into the group in Austin. He has a masters degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas, as well as a streak of carnival worker and a solid background in public speaking. He is a regional representative for Burners Without Borders as well as a certified volunteer project leader with the United Way and has been leading community projects in the Central Texas region for over two years.
Andrew Mansberger comes most recently from Seattle where he worked in a corner store and read a lot of books. Previous to that, he was the lead man of the incredible band Berwer, and has played guitar for countless other bands. On stage with ArcAttack, he often plays the Moog keyboard or other analog synthesizers, sometimes trading them out for the guitar or bass guitar. Andrew is also responsible for writing and co-writing several of the groups songs.