Arab on Radar

The Profile

Arab on Radar are an American noise rock/no wave band from Providence, Rhode Island, known for atonal guitar scrapes, pummeling rhythms, and confrontational vocals. Active in the late 1990s–early 2000s with releases on labels including Skin Graft and Load, they broke up in 2002 and reunited in 2010. Members later formed The Chinese Stars.

Formed in Providence, Rhode Island. Core lineup included Eric Paul (vocals), Jeff Schneider (guitar), Steve Mattos (guitar), and Craig Kureck (drums). Associated with Skin Graft and Load Records. Post-breakup offshoot: The Chinese Stars.

These reviews portray Arab on Radar as an unclassifiable, extreme noise/no wave force from Providence. Expect screeching guitars, tribal drums, atonal blasts, and unhinged vocals in short, violent bursts. Yahweh or the Highway (2001) gets framed as their final firestorm pre-breakup, while Soak the Saddle is twenty minutes of kinetic, danceable abrasion. Love-or-hate territory, delivered with gusto.