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In an age where radio play is dominated by electronic beats and synthesized grooves, where live music is measured in decibels and distortion rather than dynamics and virtuosity, the pure and raw soul of authentic roots music still lives on with the same evocative power and veracity it had through generations of soul-searching musicians sharing their profound stories of life, love, and loss with their common brethren.
Boss Diablo breathes life into this time-tested genre with a mix of stoic authenticity and contemporary vigor, skillfully blending the elements of urban blues, honky tonk country, roots-infused ballads, and stripped-down rock n' roll. The band re-creates an impressive collection of stylized covers, as well their own repertoire of roots-music originals. The music is best described as a fusion of early Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin’ Wolf.
Boss Diablo was formed by guitarist/vocalist Chuck Beatty and drummer/vocalist Tom Hohn during the winter of 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They soon recruited blues harmonica player Stanley J. Mikolajek and bassist Brian Washington in the following months. The band’s evolution saw the departure of Washington and the addition of guitarist John F. Kerr in late 2006. The band parted with Kerr in the summer of 2008, and Boss Diablo was reborn and revamped into a three-piece roots-music ensemble of Chuck Beatty, Tom Hohn, and Stanley J. Mikolajek.
The band released their debut album entitled "Don't Act Right" in 2005, featuring an impressive collection of roots-music originals, as well as a few stylized covers. Currently Boss Diablo is in the late stages of producing their long-awaited sophomore albulm comprised entirely of originals and featuring a brand-new revamped sound.
Today Boss Diablo performs their earthy, down-home take on roots music in venues across Pennsylvania. Each member of the trio contributes their own unique influence and style to the band’s signature sound. Beatty’s soulful guitar drives the music, alternating between gritty rhythm patterns, earthy leads, crisp acoustics, and haunting open-tuned finger picking. His deep baritone voice is unmistakable, providing an authoritative machismo to the band’s vocals. Hohn’s dynamic drumming style provides a rock-steady backbeat to the music, utilizing the gamut of percussive instruments -- from creatively selecting among sticks, rods and rakes on cocktail drums to laying it down with a full-sized drum kit and a generous selection of Latin percussion instruments. Hohn utilizes his expressive tenor vocals for singing both lead and harmony, providing a well-balanced harmonic arrangement on many of the band’s songs. Stanley J. Mikolajek adds the coup de grace with his raw big-city blues harmonica, playing both amplified and distorted harp, as well as reedy and acoustic country styles.
Boss Diablo is emerging as an intriguing, exotic force in the music scene, so check them out next time they’re playing in your town. Get back in touch with your roots and hear what you’ve been missing in your music. You’re going to like it. That’s a promise.
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