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Chocolate & Strawberries &
Debbie Diamond
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Debbie Diamond is a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/musician. I first met her in like 1987 or so when she fronted the all female hard rock band, FELINE. She was also a member of The PANDORAS - Gwynne Kahn's version, not Paula Pierce's version of the band. In the late Eighties Debbie recorded a version of "White Rabbit" with a sort of avant-garde pop band called Duritti Column, continuing to prove that she can sing any type of music.
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| copyright John Perry |
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The Januaries is the name of her new band. They've just released a way-cool self-titled CD that will put a smile on your face and a swivel in your hips. (Check the REVIEWS page for more info.) With this new band, Debbie Diamond keeps upping the ante with her vocal power. I got back in touch with Debbie in the last half of 2000. Here is our long overdue chat.
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What made you choose the style of music you're doing these days?
DD: While living in NY and hanging out in go go clubs I got into a lot of French and Brazilian music from the '60s and '70s. One day on a caffeine high I decided I wanted to put together a band with all males plus me and make a modern version of what I was listening to. Well, it just so happened that it really suited my voice and I feel the most comfortable I have ever felt, singing this way.
Is there a big underground scene that is way into this sort of loungey, swanky music you're doing?
DD: Yes. Bands like Goldfrapp, Broadcast, Movietone, Doves, Piano Magic. More popular bands are Air, Alpha, StereoLab.
How much have The Januaries recorded so far?
DD: We only have this album out. (But we also have a 3-song EP. You can download our version of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" at Napster. [Then again, maybe not! As I edit this interview the Napster case is still being heard in court sessions!!!]
Which are your favorite tracks on this album?
DD: "Black Transmission", "Love Met The Devil", and "Chocolate & Strawberries". |
I know you play guitar. Are you playing on the record?
DD: I played guitar on "All Systems A Go Go", and some keys. Also on "U & Me". I don't play live anymore cuz my amp is too heavy to get back up the stairs alone....
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How easily do song ideas and/or words come to you? Like, do you set time aside to do your writing, or do ideas come while you're, I don't know, at the supermarket...
DD: It all depends. Not to brag but ideas come very easily to me. I mostly like to write lyrics in the bathtub. I used to like to write more on guitar but now I like it better when we all write together. It seems more interesting to me.
Are you writing music as well as lyrics?
DD: All the songs are written differently. Sometimes I'll bring in a song that I wrote on guitar, and then they work on it. Sometimes Rick comes up with music. Or, the whole band just writes. I write all the lyrics.
What are the pros and what are the cons of collaborating?
DD: The pros, I think it can be more magical to write with others. Ideas that you would never have thought of...it's easier. Sometimes. The cons...egos. And sometimes the idea isn't what you like, and you bum. And you don't want to offend anyone...
Your guitar player co-produced this album, but what do look for in an outside producer?
DD: I look for someone that can play all of the instruments. Must have a decent personality, and be super smart. Knows how to speak the language of the artist.
What's next for The Jans?
DD: We are going on tour up North - Oregon, Washington, etc. Then we will go to the East Coast for a couple weeks and tour there.
Is it hard to get a gig outside California?
DD: It's hard to find good booking agents for new bands.
By the way, tell me who's in the band...
DD: Rick Boston, guitar. John Nau, keyboards. Mitch Maker, trumpet. Danny Dunlap, bass. Dan Potruch, drums.
...and how long have y'all been together?
DD: Three years. But the 'Dans' are new to us - only 7 months in the band. Our ex-drummer was an alcoholic nightmare. And the bassist in the photograph was only in the band for a couple of months - he didn't even play on the album! Rick played all the bass on the album. The bassist in the photo joined the band long enough to get himself in our photo and get his name on the album, then he bailed to Sweden. Weirdo.
Do you hang out with your bandsmates a lot?
DD: I hang out with them but not all the time. They are like brothers to me. My brother is pretty fucked up, so the guys make up for that lost relationship.
So, you didn't pull a Bruce Springsteen and, like, marry one of the members...
DD: I'm not married to anyone. In fact, I don't even have a boyfriend or any potential boyfriend. It's a bummer. |
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I've heard horror stories from big names and smaller names about band disputes with managers. In your experience, do you think bands are better off without a manager?
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| copyright John Perry |
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DD: I like having a manager. We don't have one right now, so I have to do everything. I say, better off with one. Artists shouldn't have to do all of the business. Labels don't take artists as seriously sometimes without a manager. Though, I do have to say, when we were managed by Ron Stone he sure pissed a lot of labels off. So...it depends on the manager.
What types of things are you hearing from the major record industry weenies?
DD: Oh, some of them claim to have wanted to sign us. And, how they've always admired my "talent". Our label - Food Chain Records - is pretty cool. We're really lucky. They don't want an overnight success. They want us to build.
You mentioned The Januaries can be found on Napster...any place else people can find your music online?
DD: amazon.com, raveworld.com - it has our Thievery Corporation re-mix. We also have a Flash animation video at musicbeyondradio.com (www.musicbeyondradio.com/download_den.html)
What do you think about the Internet?
DD: Oh, I think it's great. But, I think Napster should only be allowed two to three songs per band. Not whole albums. Downloading whole albums is so evil. I love message boards and fan websites. I'm always checking them out.
Do you have any favorite local bands you wanna plug?
DD: I like to see the Warlocks when I've had a couple drinks. Not to say that I need to be drunk to enjoy them, but their music is good with alcohol...
Is L.A. still the place to be if a band wants recognition?
DD: The trick is to be from somewhere else, and only come out here to visit and play. It's more alluring to the labels. When I was in NY they would fly me back and forth, and get me cars, and feed me. They didn't even know I was from L.A.! They were so into me being from NY. So, when I was in NY I would tell them I was from L.A. It worked!
What's the L.A. music scene like these days? I mean, becuz it used to be such the happenin' place for rock and roll, y'know?
DD: The scene isn't what it used to be. There's a Brian Jonestown Massacre/Warlocks/Beachwood Sparks scene, but it isn't as fun as it can be in L.A....
Are you originally from southern California?
DD: I grew up in L.A., and some in Denmark. My parents are from Denmark, so I would spend some summers there.
Who was the first rockstar that really impressed you and made you want to follow in those footsteps?
DD: I guess the first rockstars I was exposed to were Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdink. Also, Bowie and Morrison. The Stones, Beatles. And, I loved the Beach Boys. My parents were adding on to our house and we had this big platform outside in the back, and me and my friends would put on albums and pretend to be whatever band was playing. We used tennis rackets, and a vacuum cleaner as a mic. So, it wasn't just one rockstar. I just loved the places music could take me in mind and spirit. Rockstars seemed like super humans, and I wanted to be super human too.
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So, what do you remember about the whole original punk rock/new wave explosion in L.A.? Did it interest you at the time?
DD: Oh, I jumped into punk rock so fast! I knew I wasn't like all of those jocks at my school - even though I myself was a tennis player, #1 Varsity. I loved the post punk era more. L.A. underground was a dark garden that I needed to explore. The music led me to it's even darker corners. It was a way to meet people that thought differently, like I did. I loved the people I met through the punk scene because in those days to be a punk rocker was such a statement. You really had to be brave to do it. Not like now. It's so common.
Is the music business any different today than it was a decade or so ago?
DD: The sad thing about music these days is all this fake bullshit. The labels lost a lot of money on the Inde rock bands - you know how they're always trying to find other bands that are the same style as a band that is selling albums - and they lost money that way. So, now they sign stuff like Mandy Moore and Britney. You know, the Solid Gold type music. They can really push that crap and make money. The average American has shitty taste, let's face it. I guess there has always been that music but there used to be a healthier balance. Musicians don't make much money if they're not in that genre of music. And, a lot of great bands fall to the wayside.
Were the Eighties really as sexist as I remember?
DD: The only sexist problems I ever had to deal with were from promoters. They were always trying to not pay us after the shows. I remember once when I was in Gwynne's Pandoras, some jerk wouldn't pay us so Gwynne pulled a knife on him. It was great! Another time we played with Guns & Roses. It was some party that we threw. Guns & Roses just wanted to play cuz they wanted to help us make some money. Well, the guy tried to not pay us and Axl, Slash, and Duff threatened to kick his ass. So, he gave us the money.
The Eighties...seems like yesterday. Do you miss vinyl albums?
DD: I don't really miss them. I'm friends with Henry Rollins, and when CDs first came out he sold all of his vinyl. Now he's buying vinyl again. He says it sounds better.
Name three bands/artists in your record collection that will tell us what Debbie Diamond is all about...
DD: Astrud Gilberto, Debbie Harry, Bowie.
What do you love best about your favorite vocalists?
DD: Astrud Gilberto, Chet Baker, Jeff Buckley - I love their gentle approach and the smoothness. Chrissie Hynde, Fiona Apple - tone and emotion. Bjork, Bowie - creative style.
What's your favorite song to do at the Karaoke bar?
DD: "To Sir, With Love" But I prefer to watch. And I really enjoy when someone gets up there and sings off key. The more off key the better.
What other forms of art are you into?
DD: I've done some acting. I like to paint or make things. I did more creative things when I lived in NY. The girls there are way more crafty. Sometimes we would have craft parties.
What art form do you think you might do someday instead of music?
DD: I like the idea of photography. Or, writing books. Something more peaceful, where you don't have to rely on others. |
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Are you a film buff at all?
DD: I love old '60s movies - La Dolce Vida or Casino Royale. I buy a lot of movies. I've been on this Tom Cruise kick lately. I've come to believe that he is one of the best actors out there right now. I was never into him, and then I happened to see a slew of his movies on HBO...He also bums me out, to think of how great his life must be except for the bullshit tabloids. Oh, and he's not gay. I refuse to believe that. Plus, I have my sources and they say - very straight, loyal, and hard working. Just call me crazy...
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| copyright John Perry |
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I've always wanted to ask you something. Someone with your good looks can't go unnoticed for long living in L.A. Did you ever do any modeling?
DD: I was on that show MV3 when I was a teen. And I did a Rolling Stones video, "No More Tears". I had dyed red hair in that. Did a Virgin Mega Store commercial, and a Diana King video. I never modeled, but have been in some magazines. I don't like people putting make-up on me, and treating me like a body for hire...
Do you hate it when people talk about your looks? Y'know, sometimes, good looking women get angry if you talk about their beauty...
DD: I don't get angry. There was a time in my life when I tried to look, well, not pretty - in the normal aesthetic way. And then I went back to being a blonde, and was told I was beautiful. When you hear it a lot it feels like nothing. Then one day people stop saying it to you. And then you wish people would say that stuff to you again. Go figure.
Last question: What did you think of the whole Lilith Fair tour? And would you be interested in participating in something like that?
DD: I'm ignorant to the whole Lilith thing. Don't even know who was on the tour...I don't know if we're a Lilith-type band. I'd rather tour with Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion or The Rolling Stones. Who wouldn't!
For more info on The Januaries: www.thejanuaries.com
Leave a message for Debbie Diamond and the boys at:
www.foodchainrecords.com/januarysboard//index.html |
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