Legendary local act Arcweld plays rare benefit show for Corvallis Skatepark

CORVALLIS - When Arcweld formed nearly 20 years ago in the final throes of the 1980s, they had a modest agenda. "Basically our goal was to play for a party," recalls guitarist and vocalist Bert Schoenfeld. Along with drummer Margaret McNamara, he created Arcweld in a series of practice sessions in a friend's basement.

The name, in case you're wondering, was taken off the front of an ancient boiler door that the group found in that basement and eventually ended up stealing when it came time to turn the property back over to the landlord.

At that time, Arcweld was but one of a thriving scene of Corvallis punk bands, which included Lupo and The Miscreants. Now, it is the sole survivor of that scene, having persevered through careful rationing of its time and musical resources.

"We try to get our five to eight gigs in per year," Schoenfeld says, although the guests hanging out at his house quickly point out that it's a rare occasion when the band plays even that many.

This Saturday, the band plays its second gig in a week's time, headlining a benefit for the Corvallis Skate Park at the Odd Fellows Hall. Also on the bill will be The Wobblies, Senior Super Monster, Camp 3 and Cleo Lynx.

But for event organizer Doug Glavich, a board member of the Benton County Skateboarding Alliance, there was no doubt who the right main attraction would be for the event.

"For a lot of us who skate, punk rock has become part of the culture," he says. "When I started thinking about bands to headline the show, Arcweld was the first band that came to mind. We've got to have Arcweld."

Out of the basement

Formed by two untrained musicians, Arcweld developed its own musical language early on. Neither Schoenfeld nor McNamara write their music down beyond basic notations, and Schoenfeld points out that if a trained musician were to look at what they were playing, they very well might have no idea what they were seeing.

"That's why we have a different view of music in a way," he says. "It's because we can't play Ramones in 4/4. It's alien to us.

"Her beats are from somewhere else," he adds of McNamara.

But in case you're imagining Arcweld as an unorganized mess along the lines of early punk or garage rock, think again. The music of Arcweld is fierce and rhythmic, at times combining the driving bottom end of The Melvins with the unstable energy of The Jesus Lizard and the raw vocal proclivities of Big Black.

That low-end rumble and the band's dense sonic attack come courtesy of its two most recent additions, second guitarist Grant Feist and bassist Julyan Kasper, both of whom joined the band around 2000 or 2001.

Feist had formerly played with Lupo, a band that Schoenfeld recalls playing a more straightforward brand of 4/4-style punk rock. Kasper had been part of The Miscreants, which specialized in a fuzzier, more garage approach.

Thus did Arcweld become the last vestige of that particular scene, even as it began to stray further from its punk rock roots.

"We were always kind of weird, more avant-garde, Schoenfeld says.

Into the skatepark

Glavitch hopes to use the intensity of Arcweld and The Wobblies' music to bring in fans of both music and skateboarding alike, but he's also looking to show the community at large how involved the Benton County Skateboarding Alliance is in its workings.

"We're hoping to get a greater cross section of people in earlier in the evening, people who may not even care about the skatepark," he says.

To do this, the alliance will be auctioning off a variety of original works by local artists, as well as raffling a $100 gift certificate for Portland restaurant Selgris, surfboard rentals from shops on the coast and, of course, various skateboarding gear. Local Americana and roots artist Cleo Lynx and rock band Camp 3, which has a tendency to channel Johnny Cash, will soundtrack the art portion of the event, which is designed to draw people in that might not go to an Arcweld show.

"We want the event to be for everybody," Glavich says.

Senior Super Monster, which Glavich describes as a cross between The Meat Puppets and The Residents, will provide a segue into the all-out hardcore drinking music of The Wobblies and the sludgy, itchy rock of Arcweld.

Schoenfeld says that while Arcweld very rarely plays benefit shows anymore, the band is looking forward to this particular event, partially because he used to skate himself and partially because he believes in the cause.

Plus, it's just another chance to play for a party. "Live is really what our true vision is," he says.

To hear more of the interview with Schoenfeld, click on the GT to Go logo on the homepage.

Check it Out

What: Benefit for renovation and expansion of the Eric Scott McKinley Skate Park in Corvallis featuring performances by Arcweld, The Wobblies, Senior Super Monster, Camp 3 and Cleo Lynx, as well as an art auction, raffle and more

When: Auction begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 8, featuring mellower live music; heavier music starts at 9 p.m.

Where: The Odd Fellows Hall, 223 S.W. Second St., Corvallis

Cost: $5, plus whatever you spend on the auction and raffle tickets

Tickets: Available at Happy Trails Records, Grass Roots Books & Music and Peak Sports

Information: Call 829-9005 or e-mail bcskateboardingalliance@

gmail.com