Interview / Diamond Plate

Chicago band Diamond Plate is one of hottest emerging bands in the metal scene nowadays. The band was formed in 2004 and released their full length album “Generation Why?” in August of 2011 through Earache Records. They just concluded their first ever tour outside North America playing 6 shows in the UK.

I had an exclusive interview with the band and talked about their debut album and their musical inspiration.

(Left to Right) Jim Nicademus, Mario Cianci, Konrad Kupiec, Jon Macak

Where do you draw your inspiration from as a band?

Jim – In this band we all inspire each other. We all take our emotions out on our instruments and we feel that when write and play together. Personally I get most of my inspiration from the things that happen in my life positive or negative.

What does the near future hold for Diamond Plate? More touring? A new album?

Konrad – Our main focus will be touring new places around the world to spread our music. We’ve got a good amount of songs written for the second album that we’ll start debuting sometime this year at shows, and once we feel like the second album is done, we’ll hit the studio once again.

How easy or difficult was it to find a record company that was willing to sign you?

Konrad – We had a few offers over the past few years, but we turned them down because we were still in high school and unable to tour full time. About two months after we graduated, Earache offered us a contract and we decided to take it. It might seem easy, but this was after years of hard work building our name in Chicago.

How much studio time did it take Diamond Plate to record Generation Why?

Konrad – The album was recorded in exactly 10 days. It was an insanely little amount of time, but working with a producer like Neil Kernon was the reason the album sounds as great as it does. He brought so much experience to the recording of the album, that we were able to accomplish a lot in the limited time we had.

Metal music has historically tackled various political and social issues. Does Diamond Plate believe and/or fight for certain causes?

Konrad – I definitely wouldn’t ever call us a political band. With “Generation Why?” we just wanted to describe the world around us, and let people take their own stand on certain issues. As artists, all we can do is entertain with our music and present the world as it is to people.

If each member was allowed to listen to one album only for the rest of his life, what would it be?

Konrad – John Coltrane “A Love Supreme”

Mario – Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli – “Djangology”

Jim – That’s not easy and to be honest I don’t think I could even come close to picking one album. That being said my 1# album would have to be The Black Album by Metallica. The song writing is amazing and the production was way ahead of its time.

Jon – Metallica “Black Album”

Artistic expression comes in many forms, what grabs the attention of each member outside the world of music (literature, paintings, cinema, etc.)?

Konrad – Music consumes all that I do, but my playing is influenced by collecting records, any form of art, photography, cinema, Eastern philosophy and metaphysics

Mario – Film , cinema, painting, martial arts

Jim– I don’t really focus on anything outside of playing drums and guitar. The whole process of writing, playing, and touring is enough to keep anyone very busy. I am into surreal art and tattoos; I have a sleeve on my right arm as well as a sleeve started on my leg.

Jon – Sports

Which band had the greatest influence on each member?

Konrad – Metallica

Mario – Metallica

Jim – Metallica Is the reason I started Playing music like this. They are THE band to me.

Jon – Metallica

What was the first riff played by Konrad and Mario when they first started playing the guitar? What about Jon on the bass? And of course what was Jim’s first beat?

Konrad – The main riff in Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law”

Mario – The Doors’ “Love Me Two Times”

Jim – Well ya know, your basic 1 2 3 4 kick snare kick snare, haha. But I learned a good chunk of the “Black Album” / “Ride the Lightning” first.

Jon – Main riff from Black Sabbath “Iron Man”