Ones To Watch: Trucker Diablo
The ninth band we’re excited to shout about in our weekly Ones To Watch feature are formidable Northern Irish rockers Trucker Diablo.
Trucker Diablo are Tom Harte (vocals, guitar), Simon Haddock (guitars, vocals), Jim McGurk (bass), Terry Crawford (drums)
Formed nine years ago in Armagh, over the course of their past three studio albums Trucker Diablo have showcased their versatility by embracing a variety of rock styles with aplomb - from the slow-building, powerful rock ballad ‘Maybe You’re The One’ to the stomping party anthem ‘Drink Beer, Destroy’ and the unadulterated rock and roll of ‘Drive’, Trucker Diablo nail it every time.
A potent live force, their career so far has seen them play major events including Download Festival, Ramblin’ Man Fair and Steelhouse Festival and open for a smorgasbord of prestigious rock acts including Black Stone Cherry, Thin Lizzy, Airbourne and Black Label Society. The band will close 2017 playing Planet Rockstock next month and they have already lined up a headline spot at Rockwich festival in August 2018 and also as yet unannounced European shows.
Such is their musical prowess, it’s no surprise that the quartet have picked up glowing endorsements from luminaries and kindred spirits including Black Star Riders’ Damon Johnson and Ricky Warwick (who describes himself as a “big, big fan”), Def Leppard and Planet Rock’s Joe Elliott, The Answer’s Cormac Neeson and Ginger Wildheart.
Unleashed as a digital download to Pledgers in September and released physically on Friday 15th November via Bad Reputation, Trucker Diablo’s aptly titled fourth album ‘Fighting for Everything’ is the sound of a band firing on all cylinders. Explaining the ethos behind the album title, Tom says: “Three members of Trucker are indirectly affected by disability with their partners or kids, it makes the band stronger and appreciate it even more. So it's hard being a part of the music industry even without dealing with what we have to - so we are literally Fighting For Everything.”
Standout album track ‘Let’s Just Ride’ could well be the song that rightfully propels Trucker Diablo into the rock world’s psyche – a behemoth of a tune, it melds stadium-consuming riffs with instantly catchy choruses and life-affirming lyrics to incredible effect. Watch the newly premiered video here:
You can catch Trucker Diablo at the following shows:
DECEMBER 2017
Carlisle Embers – Fri 1st
Planet Rockstock, Tecco Bay – Sat 2nd – SOLD OUT
Rock n Roll Circus Xmas Bash, The Dolls House, Arbertillery – Sat 9th
Find out more about Trucker Diablo at their official website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.