Diegrinder
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DIEGRINDERIS ONE MOTHERFUCKIN' WORD!
Why can't people get it right? Apathy, stupidity, laziness and possibly more! "Detroit Rock City" has become an oxymoron over the last three decades and has produced downright embarrassing music. The path blazed from John Lee Hooker thru the Stooges, MC5 and Alice Cooper was extinguished by years (hell, decades!) of trend jumping and cliquishness in a city that desperately wishes it was cool but so often comes up short. Diegrinder refuses to play the ass-kissing game to make friends in this city, instead looking to those from their city that have inspired them with the tenacity to follow their own hearts. Comparing themselves to their influences is insulting to those that came before them who created the blueprint of musical greatness, therefore they reference the spirit of the music that influenced them and the approach of those who did it for the right reasons. Diegrinder is a Detroit band that is smart enough to know that the city yearns to be the musical hotbed it once was but spectacularly fails under the weight of its own pretentiousness.
Diegrinder was officially birthed in January 1997. Earlier starts were stalled by lineup changes and the typical insanity. Settled with the line-up of Adam Till on guitar & vocals, John Lehl on drums and Hank Pardike on bass, Diegrinder were ready to steamroll ahead. Influenced by the classic rock & metal they grew up with along with trailblazers Helmet, Quicksand, Monster Magnet and Soundgarden the next few years saw Diegrinder play numerous shows throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois and the recording of a self-tited demo and also debut album The Past To Rest. The shows and album saw much favorable press with a particularly glowing review from the always critical Metal Maniacs.
By 2002 Diegrinder had thrown down their follow up EP Goin' Down which again garnered many great reviews. The new disc showed much more of a sludgy side to the band while still maintaining their rock roots. By this time Diegrinder had played well over a hundred shows, even without extensive touring, and shared the stage with a diverse group of bands including Electric Wizard, Monster Magnet, Disengage, Backyard Babies and the Bad Brains to name just a few. By the end of the year they decided to add a second guitar player to the mix and Steve Kapo was hauled on board. With influences such as Kiss, Alice Cooper & Black Sabbath, Diegrinder had found a kindred spirit who did not alter the bands diverse sound but instead added a crushing depth to the overall mix. He was also a great fucking guitar player. Tons of new songs were worked up and by the spring of 2003 Diegrinder went into the studio to record what would become Detroit On Fire!.
Detroit On Fire! truly showcases the Diegrinder mantra of "Gibsons, Marshalls & feedback". Great production, great playing & great songs along with a stripped down approach truly produced their finest work to date. However, in November of 2003 everything came to a stop with the sudden and tragic death of Steve at the tender age of 30. With heavy hearts, Diegrinder pondered a future with some down time and a few sporadic shows as a three piece. In September 2004 Mike Elgert was approached to join to the fold on guitar. Mike was a close friend of Steves' since childhood and knew all the songs from Detroit On Fire! like the back of his hand. He officially joined in November and gave Diegrinder the confidence and determination to move forward. Steve's spirit is still in the band, and Mike plays Steve's Les Paul at every gig. Diegrinder will not let him be forgotten.
With Detroit On Fire! finally mastered and in the can, and prospects for a release in the very near future, Diegrinder is poised to up the ante of real rock in Detroit. Detroit On Fire! is a call to arms against a city obsessed with nu-metal, rap, techno and garage "rock". Diegrinder has always followed their own path and only answer to themselves. They may not be universally loved in their hometown, but they also don't really fucking care. Diegrinder doesn't settle for the mediocrity this town shoves down everyones throats and neither should you. Join them in calling the trendsetters and tastemakers in Detroit on their shit with the exclamation Detroit On Fire!
