ArcAttack
Encyclopedia
ArcAttack is a performance art group that specializes in playing music through a combination of home made, high tech instruments, and more traditional instruments such
as guitar and bass.
s, which have been modified to play musical notes by modulating their spark output. The group also uses a robot drum kit, which is computer controlled via a custom micro controller, that has been programmed to interpret MIDI data and mechanically actuate its drum sticks accordingly.
Aside from the automated musical machines and live performers, ArcAttack also incorporates a stunt man, who MCs the show, and engages the Tesla Coils by walking through the electricity wearing a relatively thin chain mail Faraday suit.
, late 2005, Joe DiPrima and Oliver Greaves began developing the first generation of singing Tesla Coils with the help of Steve Ward, a veteran Tesla Coiler
from Illinois. The design developed quickly, and after several iterations the instrument reached its present form. In 2007, Craig Newswanger of Resonance Studios provided the performance with another high tech gadget, a robotic drum kit. All the while, friends around the country were helping generate musical content for the new technology to play. In 2007, John DiPrima, the main contributor of original Tesla coil music, moved down from Chicago to help the process evolve further. In January 2008, ArcAttack was finally named. Tony Smith, an old friend of the DiPrima's and a guitarist who had been assisting the group since mid 2006, began helping write music. Later, the group would meet Patrick 'Parsec' Brown, their MC and Faraday Suit stunt man. Another songwriter and old friend, Andrew Mansberger, moved from Seattle to contribute with guitar and keyboards, completing the crew.
of America's Got Talent
in Dallas, Texas, Sharon buzzed them in the audition because she felt it was too technical, but they were advanced to Vegas Week (the second round). For the Vegas auditions, performers were divided into groups A, B, and C, with all performers in Group C advancing directly to the Hollywood round without further auditions; ArcAttack was included in Group C. They are also featured often in the brief "Flashes" pre-episode that show some of the acts that have been seen that season. On August 3, 2010 ArcAttack performed in the top 48 where they performed the Black Sabbath
song, Iron Man
. Sharon Osborne quipped at the time, "The next time you do Iron Man, I know somebody who can sing it for you." The next day it was announced that ArcAttack was either 4th or 5th in the voting and judges Howie Mandel
and Sharon Osbourne sent them through to the semi-finals. Their semifinal performance was highly praised by the three judges, but they acknowledged that viewers at home may not fully appreciate all that is seen on the live stage. Subsequently, ArcAttack was eliminated along with other three contestants, Kristina Young, Dan Sperry, and Future Funk.
as guitar and bass.
Background
The main attraction of their performance is the use of two custom built singing Tesla coilSinging tesla coil
The singing Tesla coil is a form of plasma speaker. It is a variation of a solid state Tesla coil that has been modified to produce musical tones by modulating its spark output...
s, which have been modified to play musical notes by modulating their spark output. The group also uses a robot drum kit, which is computer controlled via a custom micro controller, that has been programmed to interpret MIDI data and mechanically actuate its drum sticks accordingly.
Aside from the automated musical machines and live performers, ArcAttack also incorporates a stunt man, who MCs the show, and engages the Tesla Coils by walking through the electricity wearing a relatively thin chain mail Faraday suit.
History
In Austin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, late 2005, Joe DiPrima and Oliver Greaves began developing the first generation of singing Tesla Coils with the help of Steve Ward, a veteran Tesla Coiler
Tesla coil
A Tesla coil is a type of resonant transformer circuit invented by Nikola Tesla around 1891. It is used to produce high voltage, low current, high frequency alternating current electricity. Tesla coils produce higher current than the other source of high voltage discharges, electrostatic machines...
from Illinois. The design developed quickly, and after several iterations the instrument reached its present form. In 2007, Craig Newswanger of Resonance Studios provided the performance with another high tech gadget, a robotic drum kit. All the while, friends around the country were helping generate musical content for the new technology to play. In 2007, John DiPrima, the main contributor of original Tesla coil music, moved down from Chicago to help the process evolve further. In January 2008, ArcAttack was finally named. Tony Smith, an old friend of the DiPrima's and a guitarist who had been assisting the group since mid 2006, began helping write music. Later, the group would meet Patrick 'Parsec' Brown, their MC and Faraday Suit stunt man. Another songwriter and old friend, Andrew Mansberger, moved from Seattle to contribute with guitar and keyboards, completing the crew.
America's Got Talent
ArcAttack auditioned for the fifth seasonAmerica's Got Talent (season 5)
The fifth season of America's Got Talent, an American television reality show talent competition, premiered in the United States on the NBC network and on Canada's Global on June 1, 2010...
of America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
in Dallas, Texas, Sharon buzzed them in the audition because she felt it was too technical, but they were advanced to Vegas Week (the second round). For the Vegas auditions, performers were divided into groups A, B, and C, with all performers in Group C advancing directly to the Hollywood round without further auditions; ArcAttack was included in Group C. They are also featured often in the brief "Flashes" pre-episode that show some of the acts that have been seen that season. On August 3, 2010 ArcAttack performed in the top 48 where they performed the Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
song, Iron Man
Iron Man (song)
"Iron Man" is a song by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath from their second studio album Paranoid released in 1970. It was later included on their initial greatest hits compilation We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll , as well as all subsequent greatest hits compilations.-Writing and...
. Sharon Osborne quipped at the time, "The next time you do Iron Man, I know somebody who can sing it for you." The next day it was announced that ArcAttack was either 4th or 5th in the voting and judges Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel
Howard Michael "Howie" Mandel is a Canadian stand-up comedian, television host, and actor. He is well known as host of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal, as well as the show's daytime and Canadian-English counterparts. Before his career as a game show host, Mandel was best known for his role on...
and Sharon Osbourne sent them through to the semi-finals. Their semifinal performance was highly praised by the three judges, but they acknowledged that viewers at home may not fully appreciate all that is seen on the live stage. Subsequently, ArcAttack was eliminated along with other three contestants, Kristina Young, Dan Sperry, and Future Funk.