The Black Diamonds
The Black Diamonds
Bad Breaker Records

The Black Diamonds have graduated to the big room at the Beachland. This Friday, March 16th, they headline a show in the Ballroom with Mr Gnome and Record Low. Think about that for a second. How many young Cleveland bands can fill that space on the strength of their debut?

While you're still thinking about that one, let's consider how these four east-siders managed to capture the attention of area rockers, young and old. Local accolades like 2006 Song of the Year for "Cold, Cold Heart," and a Best Hard Rock Band award earlier this year (both from the area alt-weeklies) certainly didn't hurt. However, for The Black Diamonds, it has always been about the music. By drawing heavy inspiration from classic blues, and Seventies rock monsters like Zeppelin and Sabbath, and combining that with the reckless abandon of a young Replacements, The Black Diamonds managed to craft a sound that's positively Cleveland and one that seems near perfect for our times.

It's something I like to refer to as rust belt rock. There are no costumes and no gimmicks – just bass, drums, and guitars unleashing one riff bigger than the last. Their music is not trendy, and it may not get high marks in Rolling Stone or Pitchfork, but they have something that so many are lacking these days: honesty, grit, and determination. It's the sound of a poor, hard working city. It's the sound of perseverance. It's the soundtrack for fighting through the work week, and doing your damnedest to get by so you have something, anything to show for your toil.

You can hear rust belt rock in the opening drum solo on "Let It Go," right before the boys launch into full rock and roll attack mode. Guitarist Dylan Francis has an endless supply of big, bluesy guitar riffs, and not just for the two-and-half minutes of the opening track. Check out "Cold, Cold Heart," "Trigger," or "Sugar Show" and they're all filled that stuff of guitar dreams. The rhythm section of Kevin Naugton and Mike Vargas do their best to keep up with Francis. Trust me, this is no easy task over the course of an album, or on the night of a show. They have no choice but to always be on their game. Not to be forgotten is the contribution of vocalist Chad VanGils – the bark to Francis' bite. He's got that raspy, howl and a scowl, of a delivery that Paul Westerberg of The Replacements perfected in broken down bar rooms years ago. It's a no nonsense voice for a no nonsense band.

The simple packaging of The Black Diamonds debut disc comes with one short quote from John Updike in the liner notes: "Perfectionism is the enemy of creation." It's a line that a lot of bands could learn from these days. In the quest for making the next great rock record, a lesson as simple as creating real, honest music can get lost. Consequently, it should come as no surprise, that when a band like The Black Diamonds come along, and leave it all on the stage every night they come to play, that they would resonate so loudly with the audience.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Bill Lipold irockclevelandATgmail.com

Bill Lipold writes the music blog I Rock Cleveland which can be found at http://irockcleveland.blogspot.com.

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