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BIOGRAPHY

Some bands belong to their own time, others trespass on decades where they don't really belong. Diesel Park West must have seemed to some people back in '89, with the release of the far-reaching Shakespeare Alabama, the most welcome and liberating guitar band anyone had heard for years. A lot of artists who have enjoyed massive acclaim and success since, may well tip hats towards the Diesels for being pioneers in the re-emergence of the guitar as the primary sound of contemporary music.

The first time most people may have heard of the band would have been around August 1987 when the indie single "When the Hoodoo Comes" started to get played on night-time radio, leading to a full session later that year which really got tongues wagging. By late 87 the band had become available hot property in London with the majors all forming a disorderly pack of signature chasers.

Overnight sensations ? Not really, as there had been some formative years grimly holding on to principles while music in the UK was being led by some seriously transparent early-mid eighties "artistes". In fact strange as it might seem now, the guitars position as the pivotal popular instrument looked to be at an end. There were guitar bands of course and the worldwide success of U2 ensured that record companies were constantly looking for something similar, but the influences of the previous decade (with a few exceptions) had largely been unhelpful.

By early '88 however things were starting to change a little and Food records were signed to EMI in order for the label to get its hands on the indies latest band... Diesel Park West.

Now with major backing, the band started to record the debut album which was to have a considerable impact "Shakespeare Alabama". Although the album never delivered a huge breakthrough hit single it did generate enough influence on the times and create such a buzz about the band to ensure them a special place in the bigger picture.

Three whole years however were to slip by until the second album "Decency" was to surface. In true major label style there had been a lot of executive positioning ready for the inevitable massive breakthrough. Like all dead certs it never quite worked out the way it was meant, and despite an "almost hit single Fall to Love" in early 92, the band were divorced by the overweight EMI and seemed set to follow the well worn path of other major-label victims, ...thank you and goodnight.

Well no! Not at all, in fact for a variety of reasons the creative rivers were really starting to flow at this point. The band had forged a strong musical identity onstage, drawing upon its own musical influences which are now acknowledged as being seminal. As rock has grown older with an unexpected dignity, names such as the Buffalo Springfield, Moby Grape, Big Star, the Brian Jones era Stones, Love (Arthur Lee currently showing everyone how to do it), are mostly free from any misguided taboos which had been largely born of ignorance.

Free to operate within its own taste Diesel Park West proceeded to release four independent albums which have all maintained a high critique for the band.

Starting in 1993 with Diesel Park West Vs the Corporate Waltz, FreakGene (1995), Hip Replacement (1998) & Thought for Food (2000) alongside an EMI era best of ( Left Hand Band).

These seemingly quite releases have nevertheless provided fans with continued insight as well as giving the band a sense of its own creative destiny.

DPW as a performing unit are now blowing younger minds and re-engaging older ones whenever they play today, giving audiences a shot of that most elusive musical form... Crafted and flowing songs which really do rock.

In Summer 2005, EMI will re-release a special edition of the pioneering SHAKESPEARE ALABAMA, and a new studio album is also planned for release, as well as a live DVD in 2005.

All releases will be backed by extensive promotion campaigns, including touring of UK and overseas plus festival appearances, throughout 2005.

UPCOMING GIGS:

17th June - The Borderline, London
The Diesels would like to apologise to everybody who made it to the Borderline on Friday 17th June only to find the band were not on.
This was due to venue politics totally outside of the bands control.
The chaps are just as pissed off as you about this and hope to see one and all real soon.
14th August - St Helens Free Festival TBC
19th August – Sheffield DnR Live @ Under The Boardwalk
26th August - Leicester The Bigger Musician,
29th August - Festival Countesthorpe, Leicestershire
2nd September - Off the Tracks Festival

More UK Tour Dates to be announced soon

More Information coming soon.

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Diesel Park West website: www.dieselparkwest.com

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