Strictly Ballroom

Strictly Ballroom was founded in late 1994 by a bunch of former KXLU DJs -- guitarist/singer Chris Gunst, second guitarist Paul Larson, bassist Jimmy Tamborello, drummer Ian MacKinnon, and keyboardist/percussionist Jimmy Hay. The band's sound was described as "Enocore" by the press and fans at the time, due to their Brian Eno-like soundscaping merged with the sounds of hardcore. Signed to the Waxploitation label, the quintet issued the album Hide Here Forever in 1998, and became a college radio favorite, appearing on the CMJ charts. Not much was heard from the band after the album's ensuing tour, and many assumed the band had broken up when a few bandmembers joined other groups (Gunst -- Beachwood Sparks, Tamborello -- Figurine). But by the time their debut was reissued on Better Looking Records in 2001, all five original members had reunited under the new name Arca. ~ Greg Prato