Australia is really starting to show the world that they can produce bands of an amazing calibre, many of them could stand toe to toe with the big boys and give them a run for their money. We feel that Diamond Eye is one of those bands. As they’ve coined their music ‘Stadium Rock at its finest…’ and with a live show that brings every element from every rock band you’ve ever loved back to the stage, these boys from Perth have been slaying the live scene in WA and here’s hoping they can one day do that around the rest of the country if not the world.
On the eve of releasing their new EP ‘Sound Of The Guns’ we thought we’d catch up with Diamond Eye and show you why they really are one of the Best Things You’ve Never Heard…
Let’s start with the basics first – how long has the band been together and what is the inspiration behind the band name?
Formed in July 2006 in Perth after Will and Greg re-located back from east coast ventures. The band name come about from some drunken discussions and narrowing down of cool names. Diamonds are the world’s hardest and most precious stone and our music hits you right between the eyes!
Can you introduce each member of the band and give us a rock ‘n’ roll fact or myth about each?
Will Kelly – Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar – Adopted at birth, believes that Paul Stanley is his real father
Greg Fawcett – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals – Although naturally left handed, plays right handed guitar
Chase Cameron – Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals – Has a rock n roll cemetery tattooed on his chest
Danny Torre – Drums – Does the best Michael Jackson impersonation ever witnessed
You have twenty seconds in an elevator to try and convince someone to listen to your new EP ‘Sound Of The Guns’, what do you tell them without resorting to physical violence?
You really have to check out the debut studio EP from Diamond Eye! It’s a killer sounding, sonic assault on the senses, with enough firepower to hit you straight between the eyes.
Every song has the muscle to stand on its own as a single release and collectively, it’s a monster of modern edged, stadium rock, and no one does it better than Diamond Eye.
Big songs and big guns, tell all your friends so we won’t have to kick your ass. 
In terms of the EP, with an array of songs written over your years together, how did you choose the songs that would eventually end up on ‘Sound Of The Guns’?
We went in to pre-production with 10 tracks and with our producer Matt Gio, we picked the 5 tracks for this EP that we felt best captured the band.
What do you consider to be the most important ingredients that need to feature in one of your songs?
Punch, melody and hooks
Is this just the beginning? Can we expect an album soon from Diamond Eye?
We are planning on going into pre-production in early 2012 and recording our first full length album mid year. We are writing some killer new tracks that are taking our sound further than it has ever gone before. It’s very exciting.
You’re heading to Sydney next week for the release of the new EP, what can people expect if they come and see a Diamond Eye show?
We pride ourselves on delivering a performance at every show. When you come to a Diamond Eye gig we can guarantee that you will be entertained and it will be a night you’ll never forget.
Tell us more about your live show and what you guys do to try and stand out above the rest.
Diamond Eye doesn’t consist of one frontman, we have four. Each member’s unique style and stage presence compliments the other, so that collectively the show remains strong from any angle, and never lets up. When the venue permits, we bring in extra production, lighting and pyrotechnics to enhance the stadium rock performance we want to provide. We feel that everything we do in our live shows sets us apart from many bands in that it is a sensory overload. That’s why we decided to release our live cd/dvd “Alive and Kicking”, as we feel it is a really cool look at what the band can do onstage.
As far as influences go, who would you sight as the bands that made you want to do what you’re doing now?
Our influences have always been bands that put on a great show aswell as having great music, being Kiss, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns n Roses, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi. Individually, Will, Greg and Danny are all Kiss freaks, and for Chase it has always been about Cliff Burton.
Does being from Perth act as a blessing or a hindrance in terms of being a live band?
Perth has a really healthy hard rock and metal scene. There’s some great bands over here and a lot of talented musicians. But being based in Perth can certainly be a hindrance when it comes to touring. Being so far away makes it difficult to do quick interstate runs, and all tours can be a costly and timely exercise. That being said, we can’t wait to hit Sydney this week!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of doing what you do with Diamond Eye?
I guess there are many things that we love about playing in Diamond Eye. Creating and refining our songs to their final product is very rewarding. We love working with each other and are the best of friends. And now Danny is back in the band, the original gang is back together. We love being onstage and interacting with our fans and I guess at the end of the day, we are very fortunate to be able to follow our dreams in this crazy and sometimes sideways vehicle we call Diamond Eye.
So if you had to pick one song to cover at a live show, what would it be and why?
We’ve played a few covers over the years and we do Def Leppard’s Hysteria and AC/DC Hell Ain’t A Bad Place in our acoustic set that are a lot of fun. Will has been pestering to do Kiss’ Uh All Nite from day one, but we won’t let him as we know he will want to do the whole film clip including the police hat and trenchcoat, no way man! But one day we may surprise you…
What is missing in music today that Diamond Eye can give us?
Guitar solos for a start! We spend a lot of time in our songwriting and crafting catchy riffs, big choruses and memorable melodies as the key elements. Great songs are very powerful entities and we are confident that our songs are strong. Rock and Roll is primal and we just do our best to harness those forces to create great music.
Here’s a chance to gaze into your crystal ball. In the next year, Diamond Eye will:
1. Release a full length album.
2.Tour nationally and internationally.
3.Try not to be too drunk when we give our Grammy speech.
Essential Information
From: Western Australia
Sounds like: Stadium Rock at it’s finest…
Band members: Will Kelly – Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Greg Fawcett – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals, Chase Cameron – Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals, Danny Torre – Drums
Website: www.diamondeyeofficial.com
Latest release: Sound Of The Guns EP (2011)
Check out our review of ‘Sound Of The Guns’ here…
Catch Diamond Eye with our friends and also Best Thing You’ve Never Heard, Sunset Riot in Sydney before they head back to Perth.
