Deleted Arrows released its must-hear full-length debut a few weeks back, a sonic beast titled The Body As a Wasteland. Deleted Arrows specialize in thunderous instrumentals with a reverent nod to past endeavors, featuring bassist Zak Drummond (of recently-reunited PVD post-punk icons Verse), drummer Mike Viele (ex-Sweetthieves) and founder/guitarist Brent Frattini, who toured and recorded extensively with acclaimed noise rock band Daughters in the mid-2000s. Frattini and co-founder Daryl Rabidoux (who left the band following completion of the album to focus on studio engineering) had teamed up with Burlington, VT prog-rockers the Cancer Conspiracy. Over the past three years, Deleted Arrows have shared stages with renowned locals like Howl and the Body.
Some Insight behind the band name per the DA press kit: "The term 'Deleted Arrows' refers to the initial feeling of panic felt when, in a deep sleep, one is unable to move while seemingly awake: a state of confusion. No direction, no control." Chugging, oddly-tuned guitars and a razor-sharp rhythm section comprise their mission statement in creating "jarring, mechanical rhythms perfectly intertwined to create a meditative, mildly psychedelic and at times sinister and nightmarish aural dream state for any listener."
Frattini and friends are in total control right from the start: "Seasons Out of Sequence" rumbles in following a brief intro, and the meaty "Rereading Broken Books" and "Brand New Memory" recall the angular propulsion of the Life and Times, Jawbox, the Jesus Lizard, and Hum. The title track is a metal-flecked gem, but "Antennas, and Their Lies" is the one that keeps me coming back; the final 60 seconds is a stoner eargasm. And it's raining chords on the final track, "The Amazing Stilted Firewalk," one of three cuts reworked from their 2010 demo EP. Download a digital copy right now for $9.99 at deletedarrows.com.
Frattini checked in via email just prior to deadline, following a long day which included a fender-bender on the way to work ("I'm typing on my phone from the bar").
WERE THERE PARTICULAR GOALS LAID OUT WHEN YOU FIRST FORMED THE BAND? Honestly, we just want to keep challenging ourselves and have fun with it. I think we are definitely doing something unique here in Providence, and hope to keep people interested.
ON THE BAND'S FACEBOOK PAGE, YOU STATE THE ALBUM SHOULD BE LISTENED TO AS ONE CONTINUOUS PLAY FROM BEGINNING TO END, AND WAS INTENDED FOR A VINYL RELEASE ORIGINALLY. WHAT'S THE STATUS THERE? Our initial plan was to release the vinyl with a label that ultimately had to back out. We are discussing our options but most likely will release it ourselves, if not with someone locally. We are vinyl nerds, and that was always the plan.
IS DELETED ARROWS THE FULL-TIME MUSICAL FOCUS FOR YOU, MIKE, AND ZAK? Music is a full-time love for all of us, but we all have our hands full with various things. DA definitely is the full-time focus for me and Mike — it's our baby. However, Zak and I also play in another trashy rock band called Wet Friend with Josh Kemp (Mahi Mahi, Chinese Stars), Brian Oakley (Corleone Records), and Josh Towers (Sleazies). Zak also fancies himself quite the DJ lately, too.
