Eccentric Arcade
Genre Amalgam Band Created 3/22/2009 Total Sales 318
Industry Bling
Band Bio
Eccentric Arcade can trace their humble beginnings back to three friends playing a game of Rock Band. Vocalist Riki Milligan grew up next door to guitarist Fernando "Ferny" Juarez, and both eventually befriended bassist Marcus Finch. Each had dabbled in various bands over the years, but none that ever lasted long enough to leave the garage. The idea of the three friends forming their own band had come up a time or two, but some unseen force always seemed to keep the idea from truly forming. Finally, one October day in 2007 the trio decided that simply playing Rock Band wasn't enough anymore. They needed to stop talking about starting their own band and just make it happen. Eccentric Arcade was born.
After bringing in hired gun drummer Brian Carver, Eccentric Arcade began playing local clubs and gaining a small following. Eventually the band was signed to Dark Rain Records, through which they released their self-titled debut album. Showcasing Arcade's self-proclaimed "Amalgam" musical style, the album was an overnight success. The ever-changing style of each song, from the pop-laced Scream-o influenced "Mouthful of Blood", to the bright, poetic vibe of "Everwas", quickly launched the band into the spotlight. Each member of the band truly adds their own personal tastes to the mix, keeping the music fresh and the listeners on their toes. Milligan draws influence from personal favorites such as Queen, Korn, and Blue October, while bassist Finch gravitates more towards acts like Third Eye Blind and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Juarez grew up a metal-head that turned to rap and reggae, and drummer Carver idolized drummers like Slipknot's Joey Jordison and Rush's Neil Peart.
Eccentric Arcade's debut album got the world's attention, but it was their sophomore album, "Machines Again", that put them on the map. The band quickly proved that their "Amalgam" approach to music was not an act, as "Machines Again" once again turned listeners on their ear by taking all the musical genres that people have come to know, beat them to a pulp, and left them in the rain to rust. The hit single, "Rust and Mildew", a melodic but driving post-apocalyptic lullaby featuring Fait Accompli vocalist, Aaron O'Blivion, only helped to solidify Eccentric Arcade as pioneers of the music industry.
Soon after the release of "Machines Again", Arcade realized that they could help discover some of the unnoticed talent hiding in the clubs and garages of the world, giving them the chance they might otherwise never get, and formed RA Records. RA currently has quite the stable of artists, including Fait Accompli and Solomon X. Lambert, and is always looking to sign new acts. Arcade released their third album, "Technicolor Yawn", on their newly founded RA label, and has released every album since through RA.
Not long after the release of "Technicolor Yawn", Arcade drummer Brian Carver chose to leave the band to focus his time on starting a family. Carver proposed to his longtime girlfriend during the production of "Machines Again", and the wedding was set to take place only months after the release of "Technicolor Yawn". Before handing in his sticks for good, Carver joined the band one final time on stage at Fiestaval, the biggest music festival since Woodstock, created by Dad Metal innovator, Big Poppa. After Carver's retirement, Arcade welcomed long time friend of the band, Zach Thomas, who now adds his influence of classic rock acts like Boston and Toto to the band's special musical blend.
Before returning to the studio, Eccentric Arcade set out on the road with RA Records label mates, Fait Accompli, for the Xenophilia Tour. The bond formed between both bands on the road sparked an idea that quickly caught fire. They knew they wanted to continue working together in some fashion, but they also knew that simply guest starring on each other's albums wouldn't suffice. That had already been done. They needed to take it to a whole new level, and both bands soon formed a collective known as Nom de Guerre. Nom de Guerre is by no means a supergroup, as supergroups tend to be made up of various people from different bands. Nom de Guerre is two bands playing together as one, creating an intensely astounding wall of sound unlike anything else. The Eccentric Arcade/Fait Accompli hybrid released its first E.P., "Pictures of Oxygen", to rave reviews. Nom de Guerre has yet to release a full-length album, but more recently they released the single, "I Know What You Are", which speaks out against the horrors of bullying.
Eccentric Arcade's fourth album, and new drummer Zach Thomas' first, "Dropping Knowledge", went on to become one of the best selling albums of the band's career. The album showcased Arcade at the top of their game, both musically and production wise. Not only was the album an instant fan favorite, but it also spawned two of the band's most successful singles, "Don't Make Me Come Up There" and "Jar Full of Hearts".
Shortly after the release of "Dropping Knowledge", Zandergriff Miggs, of The Parliament of Owls fame, contacted Riki Milligan about taking part in a new project he had been working on. That project was "Prime!", an edge-of-your-seat rock opera about math and espionage. Milligan was cast as the lead character, John Hardy, an autistic mathematical savant who discovers the solution to the Riemann Hypothesis. Hardy's solution to this equation soon has him and Professor Gregor Bombieri, played by Miggs, running for their lives, as it is discovered that the solution of the Riemann Hypothesis will send the financial world into utter chaos. "Prime!" was intended to be a touring production, but as rehearsal time went on the production got bigger and bigger, and soon became too much to take on the road. For one night only "Prime!" made math an entertaining subject.
While starring in "Prime!", Milligan was also producing Solomon X. Lambert's sophomore album, "Ex Oblivione", as well as recording Eccentric Arcade's fifth album, titled simply "The Album". The title being a play on albums with color based titles (i.e. "The White Album", "The Black Album", etc.) While not having as perfectly polished of a sound as "Dropping Knowledge", "The Album" boasted some of the most meaningful and powerful lyrical content of Arcade's career with songs like "Human Onion" and "Broken Calculator".
After the release of "The Album", Eccentric Arcade took some extensive down time to figure out their next move, which proved to be bigger than anybody could have prepared for. The band began work on "EPIC!", their most ambitious and innovative album to date. It may very well be THE most ambitious and innovative album to date. "EPIC!" was the world's first choose-your-own-adventure album. Many many months of careful planning, writing, and producing helped Eccentric Arcade create an album that can be played from beginning to end and tell one variation of a story, or be shuffled around and tell another variation of the story. The choice is up to the listener. Featuring the brilliance of Zandergriff Miggs from The Parliament of Owls, and Miyako Rey and Hayden Frasco from The Forgotten Falling, "EPIC!" defies anything and everything that is considered the norm in the music industry, which is why it became Arcade's second highest selling album.
On August 4th 2011, Eccentric Arcade took part in a tour unlike any other, put together by the one and only Zandergriff Miggs. Up The Creek, advertised as an "eclectic music river test", featured various bands performing on a restored 20th century Mississippi paddleboat as it drifted downriver. The adventure began in New Orleans, LA, and came to a close one month later in St. Paul, MN. It's just the kind of thing that only the mind of Zandergriff Miggs could come up with, and it's just the thing that Eccentric Arcade jumped at the chance to be a part of.
Band Gear
Albums / EPs
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Crucifixer Upper (single)
Date Released: 3/20/2012
Tracks: 2 The third single from Eccentric Arcade's '90s throwback album "It Never Stops Being Now" is a tale of lost faith. When someone is pushed to the very brink, and everything they once believed in has all but vanished, what do they turn to? They wander a broken road of heartache and regret, searching for something to once again believe in. Just because faith is lost, that doesn't mean it cannot be found again. This single also features a stripped down acoustic version of "Crucifixer Upper", which some listeners may argue is even more raw than the album version. |
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Disaster Girl (single)
Date Released: 2/14/2012
Tracks: 1 "Disaster Girl", Eccentric Arcade's second single from their '90s throwback album, "It Never Stops Being Now", is the chronicling of a traditional bad girl. Rough around the edges, and doesn't care about anyone or anything...or so she would have you believe. She does what she wants, with no concern for the future because she doesn't think she has one. She throws caution to the wind, often ending up broken and bruised at the end of a terrible decision. But despite her go-nowhere, screw-everything attitude, you can't help but love her. You see through her tough exterior to the frailty inside. She's a mess, but a gorgeous one, and your heart bleeds for her. Sometimes something beautiful can come from a disaster. After all, wildflowers grow from the ashes of prairie fires. |
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It Never Stops Being Now
Date Released: 12/20/2011
Tracks: 10 "It Never Stops Being Now" begins Eccentric Arcade's foray into all new territory. Inspired by a yearning for the music of their childhood, the Arcade set out to write and record an album indicative of the '90s. The Arcade have previously released songs with a '90s vibe (i.e. "History is History"), but this is a full L.P.'s worth of reminiscence. Killing two birds with one stone, The Arcade recorded the album in Seattle, WA-the birthplace of Grunge-where they were inking a record deal with local Goth Rock virtuosos, Vapid. While "It Never Stops Being Now" has plenty of grungy tracks to offer, it is by no means a purely Grunge inspired album. Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, and even Ska is spread throughout the album to create a multi-textural slice of nostalgia. From the Alt-Rock album opener, "Almost", Eccentric Arcade seem to easily meld into the sounds of the '90s. The second track, "Ropeburn", is aptly named. It's rough, ragged, and raw, with heavy distortion that would make Soundgarden proud. "Crucifixer Upper" is a grungy masterpiece in the vein of Nirvana, while "Cat's Out of the Bag" takes a turn into Indie Rock territory at the corner of Weezer and Sonic Youth. "Disaster Girl" is an Alt-Rock love song evocative of Toad The Wet Sprocket. Arcade channels early No Doubt for "In The Corner" before slipping back into something Grunge for "Sticky". "Phineas Gage" is an upbeat biographical ditty reminiscent of The Presidents of the United States of America. "Little Grey Cloud", which is slow and churning like the Seattle thunderclouds that inspired it, is comparative to Alice in Chains, whereas the album closer, "Heel of the Loaf", is a self-depricating anthem with characteristics of early Silverchair. Many bands release albums that try to capture the essence of a certain genre, but Eccentric Arcade have produced an album that captures the essence of a certain place in time. Won't you put on your Doc Martins and flannel, and come along for the ride? |
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Ropeburn (single)
Date Released: 10/25/2011
Tracks: 1 Originally debuted during the Playing In Traffic Tour, "Ropeburn" is the first single off of Eccentric Arcade's upcoming new album "It Never Stops Being Now". Recorded in Seattle, WA, "Ropeburn" is a rough, grungy masterpiece that will leave you feeling nostalgic for the days of flannel and acid washed jeans. |
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TOP SCORES: The Best of Eccentric Arcade
Date Released: 4/12/2011
Tracks: 18 "TOP SCORES" brings you all the very best of the pioneers of Amalgam, Eccentric Arcade. Consisting of EA classics like "Rust and Mildew" and "Jar Full of Hearts", as well as deeper cuts from the Eccentric Arcade discography such as "Black Hole in the Wall" and "Suck It Up", "TOP SCORES" is the perfect compilation for new and old EA fans alike. Copyright 2011 RA Records Distributed by Dark Rain Records All words and music by Eccentric Arcade |
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EPIC!
Date Released: 1/4/2011
Tracks: 17 Remember those Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books from when you were a kid? Well, Eccentric Arcade has taken that concept to the next level. This is "EPIC!", the world's first Choose-Your-Own-Adventure album! You never know what to expect from EA, and that's exactly why this album works so perfectly. You can listen to it straight through, or you can skip around and have a new adventure every time! Featuring the talents of Zandergriff Miggs, Miyako Rey, and Hayden Frasco. 2010 RA Records |
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The Viscum Album
Date Released: 12/14/2010
Tracks: 5 Just in time for the holidays! To tide their fans over until the January 4th, 2011 release of their long-awaited choose-your-own-adventure album, "EPIC!", Eccentric Arcade present "The Viscum Album". For those who may be wondering, Viscum Album is actually a type of mistletoe, so what title could be more fitting? This album contains brand new original Christmas songs, as well as a few old favorites, lovingly gift wrapped and ready to be ripped into by Amalgamates like YOU! |
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Remembrance
Date Released: 9/14/2010
Tracks: 6 In honor of the release of Halo: Reach, Riki Milligan and Marcus Finch of Eccentric Arcade spent three days in the studio writing and recording "Remembrance". This six track EP is written, recorded, and produced entirely by Riki and Marcus-both massive Halo fans. This E.P. was not recorded as part of the normal Eccentric Arcade discography, but as its own separate entity. "Remembrance" is a tribute to the Noble 6 team and their heroic, but ultimately failed defense of Reach. RA Records 2010 |
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Human Onion (single)
Date Released: 7/13/2010
Tracks: 3 Featured on Eccentric Arcade's "The Album", "Human Onion" is a track that urges the listener to take a deeper look inside not only themselves, but their peers. Peel back the layers to find what's really underneath it all. Not everyone is who they appear to be on the outside, some have deeper meaning. Do you? This single also features a demo acoustic version of "Human Onion", as well as an impromptu b-side completely improvised in the studio. |
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The Album
Date Released: 6/29/2010
Tracks: 13 The Beatles had "The White Album", Jay-Z had "The Black Album", and plenty of other artists have released albums with a similar moniker. This is Eccentric Arcade's answer to that very trend. However, this is not an album that can be defined by a color. It is not white, black, red or blue; it is complementary. It is simply..."The Album". All music and lyrics by Eccentric Arcade except, "Latenight Lullaby", music by Solomon X. Lambert 2010 RA Records/Dark Rain Records |
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Jar Full Of Hearts (single)
Date Released: 3/9/2010
Tracks: 3 "Jar Full Of Hearts" is about that exact moment when you realize that you're just another notch in the bedpost. You've been blindly stumbling along through what you thought was a real relationship, but you're just another heart in the jar. Also featuring "Break" from the album "Dropping Knowledge", and the track "Well, Goddamn..." that never made the album. |
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Don't Make Me Come Up There (single)
Date Released: 2/6/2010
Tracks: 3 "Don't Make Me Come Up There" is a tragic love song for anyone who's ever been in love with a self destructive person. For anyone who's ever wished they could simply say "If something happens to you, I will find a way to come up there just to bring you back." Also featuring "The View of Eternity" from the hit album "Dropping Knowledge", and the b-side "Blue as the Sky". |
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Dropping Knowledge
Date Released: 1/12/2010
Tracks: 12 "Dropping Knowledge" is Eccentric Arcade's most powerful and professional album to date. From the inspiriting opening track "Life Theme" to the dramatic love song "Don't Make Me Come Up There" this album showcases the band at the top of their game. Tight musicianship, wide vocal range, superb production. "Dropping Knowledge" is the quintessential Eccentric Arcade album. This also marks the first full length recording to feature new drummer, Zach Thomas. *"Hide and Seek" written by Imogen Heap |
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LIVE at the House of Blues poster
Date Released: 12/17/2009
Tracks: 1 Now you don't have to worry about trying to tear a poster off of the club wall or record store window. Grab your official Eccentric Arcade poster for the HOB show featuring Coxswain Insignia and Solomon X. Lambert! |
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"3" single
Date Released: 12/1/2009
Tracks: 3 Eccentric Arcade likes to keep people on their toes, and this may be one of the most off-the-wall, out-of-left-field move they've ever made. EA expressed an interest of recording a rock version of the Britney Spears' track "3". After getting a thumbs up from Zandergriff Miggs about the idea, Arcade decided to go for it. This single also features a music video made in the studio during the recording of the song, which was shot by the band themselves. |
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Xenophilia LIVE
Date Released: 11/17/2009
Tracks: 17 Recorded live on the Xenophilia tour on 9/24/09 in New York and 9/28/09 in Toronto. A three disc live compilation for all Eccentric Arcade or Fait Accompli fans. Disc 1. Eccentric Arcade set Disc 2. Fait Accompli set Disc 3. Collaborative Final Jam set Featuring covers of Deadsy, Foo Fighters, Social Distortion, World Party and Toad The Wet Sprocket. |
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Life Theme (single)
Date Released: 10/12/2009
Tracks: 2 Eccentric Arcade's first new song since the release of their album "Technicolor Yawn". "Life Theme" is a perfectly deconstructed acoustic/electronic chronicling of the day-to-day toils we call life. The track is beautifully structured and then broken down in all the right places so the music fits right in with the theme of the lyrics. "Life Theme" will be on Arcade's as of yet untitled upcoming album. This single also features "Life Theme" performed live from the Xenophilia Tour |
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Rowdy All The Time(single)
Date Released: 8/14/2009
Tracks: 4 Eccentric Arcade's second single from the album "Technicolor Yawn". This bass heavy track featuring rap superstar Tech N9ne is an impossible to resist anthem for anyone that likes to shake things up. This song was carefully designed to rattle every window in the neighborhood. If you're at a party or just rollin' down the street with your windows down and the volume up, this is the track that needs to be playing. This single also features completed tracks from the leaked version of the album. |
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Parody(single)
Date Released: 7/20/2009
Tracks: 4 The first single from Eccentric Arcade's third album and first release on their own RA Records. "Parody" holds a mirror up to modern music and judges it, calling it exactly what it is: a parody. In an industry where every other band is lost among the sea of replicas generating the same thing over and over, Eccentric Arcade does what they can to stand above the rest. And they succeed. This single also features properly mixed and complete versions of songs from the leaked version of the album. |
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Technicolor Yawn
Date Released: 7/14/2009
Tracks: 12 No genre is safe on Eccentric Arcade's third album and first release on their own RA Records. Bored with the turn most music has taken these days, Arcade has decided to show everyone how it's done. From the ground shaking bass of the album opener "Rowdy All The Time", a rap track with the infamous Tech N9ne, to the slow pop sounds of "Laying in the Sunshine" or the whiplash inducing metal of "Murder You Personally". If music today makes you wanna puke, "Technicolor Yawn" will cure what ails you. |
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The Ballad of Sasparilla Jones(single)
Date Released: 6/18/2009
Tracks: 3 The second single off of the long awaited album "Machines Again". This song is slow and heavy all at the same time, a song about an old man the world has long since forgotten and who has long since forgotten the world. A victim of his own hubris, a prisoner of his own mind. This is the ballad of Sasparilla Jones. This single also contains the tracks "Plain As Day" and "Stay Away" from Eccentric Arcade's "Machines Again". |
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Rust and Mildew
Date Released: 6/4/2009
Tracks: 3 The debut single from the long awaited second album "Machines Again" from Eccentric Arcade. Frontman Riki Milligan and guest vocalist Aaron O'Blivion of Fait Accompli share verses with fantastic harmony and vocal range, while the raw, driving power of the music pushes the song over the edge. This song is further proof that Arcade refuses to fit into any one genre. Just when you think you know what's coming a song like "Rust and Mildew" is there to prove you wrong. |
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Machines Again
Date Released: 5/12/2009
Tracks: 12 Eccentric Arcade's sophomore album continues to prove that they are true to their name. "Machines Again" is like the soundtrack to a steampunk utopia, with lyrics like the torn out pages of a raving madman's diary. This album pushes Arcade past their comfort zone and onto a new plateau that is sure to please and astound listeners. Listen for guest vocalist Aaron O'Blivion of Fait Accompli on the standout track "Rust and Mildew". But don't get to comfortable, cuz the mood can change at any time. |
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Mouthful of Blood(single)
Date Released: 5/2/2009
Tracks: 4 "Mouthful of Blood" single from the album "Eccentric Arcade" featuring remixes and live recordings. |
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Judgment(single)
Date Released: 3/29/2009
Tracks: 5 Judgment single from Eccentric Arcade featuring variations of the track and unreleased material from their debut self-titled album. |
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Eccentric Arcade
Date Released: 3/22/2009
Tracks: 12
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Offical Band News
| Eccentric Arcade Set to Rejoin the Tour of Destruction | 5/13/2012 |
| Eccentric Arcade Take Time Off From Tour Of Destruction | 4/19/2012 |
| Eccentric Arcade Tour of Destruction Setlist | 3/19/2012 |