AHEAD of a show at Saltdean Lido this weekend, Brighton country-rockers The Diablos talk about ten years together and their new album One Degree Of Separation.

“About 15 years ago Chris Nieto [lead vocals and acoustic guitar] and Geoff Ansell [drummer] were part of a Brighton country band with Adrian Marshall [lead/slide guitar] called The Coral Reefers. When the band broke up in 2005 we formed The Diablos with Danny and Terry O’Loughlin [guitar and bass]. Adrian rejoined the band last year following the departure of our steel player Francois Deville.

“We are a country band but we like to rock. Our music crosses over into Americana, pop, folk and even blues but through all that it’s harmony and melody driven. A reviewer once described the band as “the Eagles having a few beers with The Mavericks whilst listening to Johnny Cash on the juke box” – we liked that!

“We started writing songs right from the off. We didn’t want this to be another covers band. Our first album Welcome To The Club was released in 2007.

“The fact that a UK country act like The Shires broke into the top ten albums chart is very significant. And, who’d have thought a folky band like Mumford & Sons would achieve such worldwide success? The people who are opening their minds and their ears to folk and country music are discovering how great some of that music is.

“Some of the country festivals we play are big. The Americana in Nottingham is probably the biggest and we had a headline spot in that a few years ago. In 2014 we also had a spot in the Country To Country festival at London’s O2. Sometimes though the best fun you can have is in a little hometown bar with a lively and enthusiastic crowd!

“One Degree Of Separation came together slowly. It took about a year from start to finish. We recorded it at a studio in France which was a really nice change – everything we’ve done before has been recorded in Brighton. The first single Aint So Bad is out now.”

The Diablos play Saltdean Lido on Saturday, May 16 from 8.30pm. Tickets cost £4 on the door.

Find out more:
• www.thediablos.com
• www.facebook.com/TheDiablosCountry
• info@thediablos.com