So ...as most of my Ripple articles begin...it all started
on Facebook. Our Editor n' Chief Racer
put out the call that Brian Tatler from Diamond Head would be available for
interviews and tagged me in the post . I
was on that shit in ten seconds.
After emailing DH's lovely PR liaison Paula back and forth
and rescheduling, I came to the conclusion that because of yet another family
emergency – wouldn't be available to do the interview at the scheduled time -and
emailed her the sad news.
Well – I have to say fortunately that email never went
through or wasn't sent in a timely fashion because at noon yesterday my phone
rang and “Unknown” flashed on the caller ID.
My heart sank. I was in the
street, it was windy as fuck and this was Brian Tatler calling. He left a voice mail, pronounced my name
correctly and told me he'd be available on Skype. I ran the hell indoors, found a quiet spot
and rang him on Skype. I didn't bother
doing any research because time was of the essence and I was eager to speak to
him again. (more on that later) Besides above all else I'M A
PROFESSIONAL. I GOT THIS.
Right off the bat I asked Brian about new singer Rasmus Bom
Andersen and how having fresh blood was helping the band, “It's given us a big
kick in the arse!” Brian joked, “Ras had a great overview of who Diamond Head
are and is aware of the unique Diamond Head
sound and what we've done in the past.
He was actively involved in the song selection and was adamant that the
new album, [simply called Diamond Head] has our signature sound, I'm
really proud of Diamond Head's history, we're still going strong after 35
years”
I asked about how difficult it must have been recording with
former singer Nick Tart who lived in Australia, “We couldn't really
write with Nick...it was difficult.
Rasmus lives in London and he would take the train up here and we'd have
8 hour sessions then he would take the last train back down to London and do it
all again! It was great!”
I mention it's a slippery slope being such a historic band,
trying to win over younger fans and how tempting it is for some of the older
bands to change their tried-and true style, sometimes to disastrous
results. “I write in a particular style,
we can't compete with bands like Gojira and Lamb of God, this is Diamond Head. It
took awhile to dawn on me, I tried experimenting [i.e Canterbury
in 1983], then I realized I just want to do stuff I like and we [the band]
like. At the end of the day I have
quality control and I have to please myself and just hope the fans are pleased
as well.”
I asked Brian if he remembered meeting me a few years ago
when the band played a sold out show at New York's prestigious BB King's, I
talked to him about how so many of the bands from back in the day are still
going strong with few and sometimes only one original member, Of course he
remembered that conversation (because I'm awesome) but on a serious note said,
“I'm the only original member of DH, I came up with the name, and I've kept the
flame alive since 1976. At the end of
the day, the fans are there for the songs.
Look at a band like AC/DC – at the moment they've only got one original
member left! But it's the songs the people come out for.”
On that note, we talked about how bands like AC/DC will come
out and do one or two songs off whatever album they're currently promoting, and
the rest would be a greatest hits set, versus a band like Iron Maiden who just
steamrolled through New York supporting “The Book of Souls” - and the set was 80%
new material. I confided I didn't think
Maiden's new album was strong enough to carry an entire set and Brian said, “It
would be nice to be at Iron Maiden's level where the fans will come out
regardless of what the new material is, but I believe in giving the fans what
they want. I'm happy to play “Am I Evil” at every gig – it's my favorite Diamond Head song.
Do you know Metallica have performed “Am I Evil” live over 750
times? It's fantastic!! Their cover was originally the b-side to “Creeping
Death” - we had no idea how huge Metallica would be! I'm forever grateful to them – I have the
freedom to do what I want now – I've played in covers bands and given guitar
lessons but I don't have to work a 9-5 job anymore! And we've all bought
houses...so “Am I Evil” has been very good to me and I'll always be happy to
play it!”
When will fans be able to see this new version of Diamond Head live on the road, “We've got a full European
tour coming up including dates at Hard Rock Hell, Bloostock and Sweden Rock. We hope to be coming to the states again very
soon.”
“I'm looking forward to seeing you in New York again – I'll be there!”
“It's a date!!!”
-Rys
-Rys
Comments