Diesel

Seven Axes

Liberation Music is proud to announce the imminent release of a very special EP from Australia's pre-eminent axe-man, Diesel. Over the years this multi ARIA award winner has explored many string instruments, even co-designing the 'diesel mini' for Maton Guitars, and through these numerous explorations the inspiration for many of Diesel's works have emerged.

'7 Axes' is Diesel paying homage to the artists who have made him one of Australia's most loved rock and soul artists of the past two decades. It's Diesel picking an eclectic range of songs from the musicians that have inspired him and making them his own. Long regarded as one of Australia's finest guitarists, Diesel has chosen tracks by his favourite players ranging from the psychedelia of Jimi Hendrix to the ragged genius of Neil Young and the subtle expressiveness of Steve Cropper.

"It all stemmed from my live shows" he says. "I was doing some shows in Sydney and Melbourne called "Under the Influence" just for fun. Armed with his extensive collection of guitars, Diesel shone a spotlight on the origins of both the songs and the instruments and the unique role each has played in the making of his own music.

"One night it would be people like Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and Al Green and the another night I'd do the three Kings – Albert, Freddie and BB" says Diesel. "Liberation heard about it and said, 'you've got to make a record like that'. So we have!"

So with little luxury of time, Diesel and his band slammed down 18 songs live in the studio in 8 days, a selection of which have found their way on to the '7 Axes' EP, including those from Jimi Hendrix ("Stone Free"), Otis Redding ("Satisfaction") and Neil Young ("Cinnamon Girl"). The '7 Axes' EP also features tracks by the Sonics ("Have Love Will Travel"), Albert King ("Cross Cut Saw") and Stevie Ray Vaughan ("Come On"). The guitar is front and centre, but the record as a whole is impossible to fit into any one category.

"I really just chose songs that I liked," says Diesel. "We all know that Hendrix was an amazing guitarist but people forget that he was also a great songwriter. I couldn't be intimidated by his legend and I just had to make the song my own. That was true of all the songs. The Sonics are an obscure Detroit garage rock band from the 60s that I really love. And I really wanted to pay tribute to Steve Cropper and the work he did with Otis Redding. It's subtle but he's carrying the whole song. I like their version of the song better than the Stones in some ways."

Since he stormed onto the scene with Johnny Diesel and the Injectors in the late '80s. through the smooth R&B of Hepfidelity and a dozen platinum and gold discs, Diesel has forged a reputation for his innovative approach to both rock and soul music. '7 Axes' is no different.

To coincide with the release of the '7 Axes' project, Diesel will be special guest of Joe Cocker and George Thorogood on their A Day On the Green dates in February 2011.

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