Arcwelder

Arcwelder is an American indie rock band which formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1988. Originally named Tilt-A-Whirl, the group changed its name to Arcwelder after being informed by Sellner Manufacturing Co. of copyright infringement.

The band released their record This in 1990 on the small Minneapolis label Big Money Inc. As it was being released, the band was sued by the manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl carnival ride and rather than go to court, the band decided on Arcwelder, which is the title of an instrumental on the record. The initial release of This had a disclaimer sticker noting the lack of affiliation between the ride’s manufacturer and the band.

Arcwelder has toured the U.S. with such bands as the Jesus Lizard, Jawbox, and Tar, and has played shows with such artists as Dirty Three, Pegboy, Caspar Brötzmann, and The Cows.

In 1992, the song «Favor», from the album Jacket Made in Canada, appeared at number 32 on John Peel’s «Festive Fifty».

In 2002, Arcwelder was invited to perform in the UK All Tomorrow’s Parties music festival, by that year’s curators Shellac. The names of all three members of Arcwelder appear on the cover of the 1997 Shellac album The Futurist. The band, a perennial local favorite, consists of brothers Rob and Bill Graber and Scott Macdonald, all of whom share in the tasks of songwriting and singing.

All of the original members of the band were slated to appear at the Touch and Go 25th anniversary celebration taking place in Chicago, Illinois on September 8–10, 2006.