Diamond Lane
Diamond Lane in the Media Tent after the interview
If there is one thing I never forget from this interview, it will be the impressive loudness of guitarist Jarret Reis. Nothing came out of his mouth under 97 decibels, which would have hurt the ears if he wasn’t so damn funny.
Due to the unfortunately crazy weather at Rocklahoma this year, I was unable to make it to Diamond Lane’s show, since they played after the headliner, in one of the last slots of the night, and I had a plane to catch. The constant rain had turned the entire festival grounds into a giant mud pit, and cars had to be towed out of their parking spots. Luckily, Diamond Lane is an LA-based band, so I’ll get to see them when they head home.
I can imagine that with the energy exuding from Reis and DL’s other members, vocalist Brandon Baumann, bassist Ray Zhang, guitarist Ian McClaron, and drummer Dave Vandigitty, their live shows must be top notch. My hypothesis is further supported by their intelligently funny remarks and evident companionship.
Reis was particularly excited to be playing Rocklahoma because Halestorm was playing. “I heard Lzzy has thing for me,” Reis gushes. “I can’t wait to give her a kiss on the lips.”
Due to the unfortunately crazy weather at Rocklahoma this year, I was unable to make it to Diamond Lane’s show, since they played after the headliner, in one of the last slots of the night, and I had a plane to catch. The constant rain had turned the entire festival grounds into a giant mud pit, and cars had to be towed out of their parking spots. Luckily, Diamond Lane is an LA-based band, so I’ll get to see them when they head home.
I can imagine that with the energy exuding from Reis and DL’s other members, vocalist Brandon Baumann, bassist Ray Zhang, guitarist Ian McClaron, and drummer Dave Vandigitty, their live shows must be top notch. My hypothesis is further supported by their intelligently funny remarks and evident companionship.
Reis was particularly excited to be playing Rocklahoma because Halestorm was playing. “I heard Lzzy has thing for me,” Reis gushes. “I can’t wait to give her a kiss on the lips.”
Diamond Lane + Me in the Media Tent. We look badass, right?
If you look up DL on Facebook, you will find the second guitarist listed as Frankie Lindia, but when Lindia left the band last minute, McClaron stepped in to save the day. “He learned a truckload of material,” said Reis. “He and I went into a room for three days straight, and even on the bus we were running it and running it, to make sure people get the experience they deserve.”
They’ve been touring for about three and a half weeks, with only two or three nights off due to bus problems. “That’s rock ‘n’ roll; you’ve got to be ready to roll with the variables,” explained Reis jocosely.
DL claims that touring is the best part of being in the band, but it still brings its challenges. Zhang elaborated, saying, “You see people at home eating steak, and you’ve got this peanut butter and jelly sandwich, [and] you’re like, ‘Man, this is not the life!’ But then when we hit the stage, it’s worth it.”
DL has been touring with their LA buddies Delta Rose, and they support each other every step of the way.
“It’s a black-and-blue type of situation,” Reis described. “It’s awesome because we’re covering every end of the spectrum for anyone who loves rock.”
When the tour ends, Diamond Lane is prepared to hit the studio (after sleeping for a few days) with their demo tracks to begin the construction of their next album. Reis excitedly announced, “We’re raising the bar for ourselves to deliver something more spectacular for the fans.”
Baumann adds, “It’s a wrestling match, but on stage. If wrestlers played music, this is what it would sound like.”
Zhang recalled one of his favorite times with the band, back when he had first joined. He was in his trailer, at the wheel, after (possibly) having drunk, and proclaimed to Reis that Baumann was, “in for the times of his life!” Zhang began to drive with reckless turns and at crazy speeds, bouncing and throwing Baumann all over the back of the van. “Those were the Hollywood days,” Zhang said wistfully.
Be sure to check out Diamond Lane’s music! Here’s their music video for their hard-hitting but groovy song “The Enemy.”
They’ve been touring for about three and a half weeks, with only two or three nights off due to bus problems. “That’s rock ‘n’ roll; you’ve got to be ready to roll with the variables,” explained Reis jocosely.
DL claims that touring is the best part of being in the band, but it still brings its challenges. Zhang elaborated, saying, “You see people at home eating steak, and you’ve got this peanut butter and jelly sandwich, [and] you’re like, ‘Man, this is not the life!’ But then when we hit the stage, it’s worth it.”
DL has been touring with their LA buddies Delta Rose, and they support each other every step of the way.
“It’s a black-and-blue type of situation,” Reis described. “It’s awesome because we’re covering every end of the spectrum for anyone who loves rock.”
When the tour ends, Diamond Lane is prepared to hit the studio (after sleeping for a few days) with their demo tracks to begin the construction of their next album. Reis excitedly announced, “We’re raising the bar for ourselves to deliver something more spectacular for the fans.”
Baumann adds, “It’s a wrestling match, but on stage. If wrestlers played music, this is what it would sound like.”
Zhang recalled one of his favorite times with the band, back when he had first joined. He was in his trailer, at the wheel, after (possibly) having drunk, and proclaimed to Reis that Baumann was, “in for the times of his life!” Zhang began to drive with reckless turns and at crazy speeds, bouncing and throwing Baumann all over the back of the van. “Those were the Hollywood days,” Zhang said wistfully.
Be sure to check out Diamond Lane’s music! Here’s their music video for their hard-hitting but groovy song “The Enemy.”
 | Zoe Adler is a music journalist from Long Beach, California. Besides her website, which is her pride and joy, she works with the GRAMMY Foundation and the Long Beach Independent. Additionally, Ms. Adler is a musician, spending half of her time playing the flute, piccolo, trombone, and marching baritone. She has been with TeenView Music since the very start and hopes to make something of it in the future. |
RSS Feed
