DIAMOND DOGS. The name may evoke Bowie’s 1974 album. More than likely though it brings visions of a newer glam THE rock band from Sörmland, Sweden, who have been garnering much industry attention and a devoted fan base through their steady, one powerhouse release after another collection and tours with Hanoi Rocks, The Damned, The Cult and Nazereth. Their new cd UP THE ROCK is a five star glitter collection of some of the strongest and glammiest songs the band has ever released and you’ll ever hear this side of the Atlantic.
I had the opportunity to bend the ear of the incomparable Duke of Honk resident key tickler for the band. So sit back and say... “tack själv”!
Diamond Dogs has been a critic favorite for the past four years… one even saying, Diamond Dogs the band" is Rod Stewart goes Hard Rock."… Not so sure I agree, no offense to Rod but I think you're better than that… so tell our readers about the birth of the Diamond Dogs sound?
DD: We have never thought of our sound as hard rock really, but of course many of our influences are the early founders of heavy rock n roll, but also soul music like Sam Cooke, who by the way was Rod Stewart’s big hero. When we made our first record many years ago, we were totally proud and happy when we managed to sound like this and that, but we don't care about that anymore, and I guess we have that process in common with most of the rock bands around that have been going for a few years. As we use different producers for the albums we get a special sound each time, it’s more fun that way, but I must say that it's the voice of our singer Sulo, that holds the whole thing together, and obviously my piano!
Sweden has seemed to be the impetus for a resurgence in Glam and Sleaze Rock, Hardcore Superstar, CrashDïet and Zan Clan have paved the glittered highway along with you… any thoughts on how and why the scene is so prevalent and thriving in the land of the Vikings?
DD: I think the Vikings can offer a lot more than the glam scene when it comes to rock n roll, or any art really, I don't know much about the bands you mention but we have always had a genuine love for rock from the 50s 60s and the 70s here in Sweden, and every generation since the 40s have been very impressed and early to pick up the American culture, from Be-bop forward, another thing is maybe that Sweden has a tradition of being progressive, liberal and sexually tolerant with gays, bi and trans like the great David Bowie
While comparisons abound, Diamond Dogs is at the end of the day producing music so unique that it stands on its own merit. What is the creative force that keeps your sound reminiscent but fresh?
DD: As you know, rock is a drug, and Diamond Dogs is the most important thing in our lives, believe me, we can’t wait for the time when we are touring or recording a new record, it's the best way to waste time for all of us, fresh I don't know about, but we will stay teenagers for a long time!
The band has toured with IAN HUNTER, HANOI ROCKS, THE DAMNED and NAZARETH, filled the football stadium in Benidorm with THE CULT, and played 21 gigs in the U.K. in 21 days. What is your most memorable tour moment to date?
DD: You must forgive me Kim, but there are so many moments, you may have to wait for the book! But it was most fun to tour with The Damned! And performing songs with Ian Hunter that my father played for me before I could walk, it's a dream! And I'm living the dream I had as a boy right now, travelling country to country pretending I'm a rock star.
What is the creative process for the band? Tell me a little bit about the songwriting process behind the new album.
DD: The main process was in the studio, we came to Thomas with half made songs and took it from there. Sulo is a maniac when it comes to song writing, and the rest of us just try to keep up with him.
Tell us about working with producer Thomas Skogsberg?
DD: Thomas has inspired me so much during the years, he and my father and my uncle are the music gurus of my life, my father has given me the feeling and love for music, my uncle the technique, and Thomas my ears for what I'm doing. He is the one and only glam rock producer first of all, talking Bowie, Slade, Mott the Hoople and so on. Every year he has new metal bands from all over the world in his barn in the woods, and what they do not always know is that Thomas always thinks in terms of what had John Lennon said about this? or how had Mick Ronson done this? That's how he gets his unique metal sound
What can your fans expect from your live shows and are there any plans to make it stateside?
DD: A hell of a show, its entertainment, and we know what we are doing! If people ask for us, we will be there!
You and Sulo have ventured into the world of side projects- Tell our readers what you are working on outside of Diamond Dogs?
DD: We both have solo records coming out soon, he produced mine, and I produced his, and this fall we will teach people to listen to sweet soul music, we will play theatres around Sweden with half of the Diamond Dogs and guests, performing only Sam Cooke songs, there are also plans to tour that show in European capitals, 2 weeks from now we will have a special Diamond Dogs night with our friends Dregen (Backyard Babies) Ebbot (TSOOL) Ryan Roxy (Alice Cooper) and Conny Blom (Hanoi Rocks) on stage. I have a band together with Nicke Andersson (Hellacopters) and Scott Morgan (Sonic's Rendezvous Band) called The Solution. Sulo has a band with Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy) and they are going to record an original Lynott song that's never been recorded before. And besides that we try to help all young and old rock bands in need.
How do you balance the needs of other projects with your "main" gig?
DD: I'm not in to Balance, only some rest now and then!
What music or musicians inspire you at the moment?
DD: Always The Doors. Considering my solo project its Dr Feelgood, Lou Reed, Judas Priest, Ian Dury, The Cult, Johnny & Edgar Winter, Captain Beefheart, Nick Lowe…
Any final words or plugs for our readers at All Access?
DD: It would be nice to see you all someday at a show!
For more info visit:
myspace.com/diamonddogssweden
myspace.com/smilodonrecords
