From Left To Right: Eric, Sweetleaf, Adrian, Mike, Gerard

   

Gritty, Hard-Hitting Rock N’ Roll…that's the jam that NYC hard rock quintet Diablo Royale kicks out. The band's music aims to encompass "real-life" experiences and situations that can range anywhere from sexual innuendos to political satire, Choy explains: "We write about anything, nothing is off limits because there is so much that happens everyday. Be it the girlfriend, boss, parents, government or stupid stuff like getting too drunk or having a horrible day at work…those are all experiences that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives."

Diablo Royale came into being when drummer Mike Sankari along with guitarists Eric Choy and Gerard Steixner got together from the ashes of their previous bands, to create a group that would encompass their idea of what rock n' roll should sound like. They began writing and auditioning musicians for over a year when they finally met singer Adrian Barrios and bassist Jason "Sweet Leaf" through an ad posted on the internet. With the lineup complete the five hunkered down in a basement studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (appropriately named "The Sweatshop") and crafted their first ten songs until they were ready for wax on their self-titled debut, released in February 2007. Taking their influences from the heavier bands ranging from Alice in Chains to Zeppelin, the final result can be best described as a bombastic sonic assault on the ears that is sure to knock you into next week!

In a short amount of time the band has managed to cut their teeth in the local clubs of New York City and has extended their reach as far as the Midwest. Bassist Jason Leaf sums it up perfectly, "We're looking to infect the masses with our brand of rock n' roll!"


Genesis - The Forming of The Trio: Broken and weary from the ashes of a previous band, Sankari & Choy searched the earth for new brothers-in-arms. Along their journey they happed upon fellow experienced traveler & gunslinger...Steixner. Steix hailing from the mystical far-away land of Westchester & having done battle with the two on previous adventures, decided to join along to see what trouble the three could stir up. For the next nine months The Trio would train together meticulously and quickly established a bond and foundation upon which their skills improved dramatically, so they decided to search for others to join their clan. Our heroes would do battle with many-a warrior over the course of those nine months, but none could measure up to their might until one day...when the swashbuckling buccaneer Adrian, crossed their paths.


The Family Grows - The Becoming of the Gang-of-Four: The four engaged in an exchange that to this day has never been equaled by any mortal. Adrian's howl blew over trees and toppled houses while The Trio's razor sharp riffs and thundering beats split mountains and put ablaze anything in their path. Each member stood their ground and realized that their styles matched perfectly (as if the Gods on Mount Craigslist had somehow redetermined their chance meeting) so they knew the brotherhood had now grown to four. Adrian's vocal fortitude proved to strengthen the group's power and the now Gang-of-Four was only missing one piece...an earth shaker.


The Wizard's Might - Completion: Our heroes in the Gang-of-Four continued their search for several months and over that time their training had brought the brotherhood's skill to a new level, but they knew they were still missing one vital piece. Many moons passed until one fateful night when a shadowy figure emerged suddenly. Standing alone on a hill in the lush fields of Central Park, the wizard Leaf pounded his mighty bass and challenged the The Gang to face off. Leaf and the Gang-of-Four proceeded to engage in what would become one of the fiercest battles in history. The earth shook, the winds howled, forests burned, and the oceans tossed as the five exchanged blows that would have taken out an entire army. Our fighters had never seen such intense bass playing as the wizard's power was clearly evident to them. Several days passed with no winner declared, the warriors decided to call a truce as they all realized that they were fighting on the same level. The Gang knew they had stumbled upon their final member...the earth shaker.


Epilogue - Diablo Royale: It was at this point that our heroes became a family of five. The brothers sat down in a circle and took shots of Jack in praise of the Gods of Craigslist for bestowing upon them each other's presence. They would travel across the lands and fight in many battles together, and their tales of heroics and bravery would span the highest mountains and the deepest valleys. To all that hear of their mighty tales they are known as "Diablo Royale."