The Arrivals

Biography

The Arrivals were based out of Blue Island on Chicago's far southwest side, and became a part of the Chicago punk scene in the early/mid 1990's. Known for playing just about anywhere, especially back yard romps, they also became a regular at The Fireside Bowl. They quickly became a crowd favorite, characterized by frontman Issac Thotz unique, angst filled lungs and uncompromising attack on guitar while being quite shy off-stage, and Dave Kaktis' bass and perpetual lit cigarette dangling.

In 1996 they self-produced their first EP, Songs from the Cabal Headquarters. It took four years for Thick records to pick them up and the band to release their first LP, Goodbye New World in 2000. Exsenator Orange, their sophomore effort was also released on Thick in 2003.

Gritty and raw and reminiscent of the likes of Naked Raygun and early Chicago punk, the Arrivals were a breath of fresh air with bands like the Blue Meanies and others offering up mediocre punk to a scene that was beginning to smell mediocre. Bands like the Arrivals, Oblivion, and Slapstick (and later Alkaline Trio and the Slapstick family tree) saved the 90's and early 2000's Chicago scene.

The band seemed to disappear for awhile before releasing Marvels of Industry a long four years later in 2007 on Recess Records. At the end of 2010, they released a fourth LP on Recess, Volatile Molotov.

Members

Issac Thotz (guitar, vocals)

Dave Merriman (guitar, vocals)

Dave Kaktis (bass)

Ronni Dicola (drums)

Discography

Songs from the Cabal Headquarters EP 1996 Self-Released

Goodbye New World 2000 Thick Records

Exsenator Orange 2003 Thick Records

Marvels of Industry 2007 Recess Records

Volatile Molotov 2010 Recess Records