With just two singles to their name - but a vast amount of talent and an almost legendary reputation - ARC were another of the many NWOBHM acts who burned brightly but briefly, never really having the chance to achieve their full potential. Based in Worcestershire, and founded on the core of the three Whitbread brothers - Mike (guitar), Geoff (drums) and John (vocals) - ARC built up a solid fan base and from the very beginning played sets consisting of their own material, with just the odd cover thrown in to keep the audience on their toes. With ten or so songs already under their belts they decided the time was right to release something, and the results of a session at The Old Smithy was the double A-side single 'Tribute (To Mike Hailwood)' c/w 'For My Next Kick', issued in 1980. The following year saw the release of a second single, 'War Of The Ring', backed by the oddly-titled 'Ice Cream Theme'. Aside from the two singles, the highlight of 'Raiders Of The Lost ARC' has to be a lengthy eleven-song set recorded at a rehearsal in December 1984 which shows just how good - and how truly original - ARC were. John Tucker November 2018
