A couple weeks ago I stumbled upon an article in the Globe spotlighting a pre-teen rock band from Haverhill named the Black Diamonds.
Clearly, these dudes were cool and since The Feeve is all about focusing on what is cool in this city – I just had to find out more.
The band at the beach
HF: Who is in the band and just how old are you guys?
AJ: Henry McIntire on our lead guitar (10), Nick Calnan on drums (12), Wolfgang Burger on Bass (8), and I sing lead vocals (12).
HF: How did you guys get started? What’s the story behind the band?
Wolfgang: Nancy ran into Henry at the school, he was leaving his sister’s dance class. Henry was the first who wanted to do the band. Nick was already taking lessons on drums for a couple of months and he wanted in. We found AJ at the school Christmas party – his sister was performing on guitar and he jumped up to the mic in between acts – I (Nancy) said he is the one, rock school frontman. We could not find a bass player, so we got our son, who just turned 7 a bass and in 2 months the band started.
HF: Who are some of your musical influences?
AJ: Um… I try to be my own person with my own voice, but if it’s an acoustical version of another artist’s song I have to mimic the way the sing it, it’s their song.
Henry: The Who (mostly Pete Townsend) and John Denver.
Wolfgang: Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Guns n’ Roses.
Nick: Disturbed, Ozzy, and Metallica.
HF: Tell us the truth – you’re just in it for the girls, aren’t you?
AJ: No, actually I have always loved to sing and I’ve always wanted to go somewhere with it, so joining this band was no argument at all.
Henry: No, no way.
Wolfgang: Also, noooooo.
Nick: No. I just like to play.
Black Diamonds
HF: What message would you have for other kids that just want to rock out but might get frustrated that their instrument is too hard to learn?
AJ: Make sure the instrument is for you, in 4th grade I played the flute, but It just wasn’t my thing (probably because I couldn’t sing to it). Now I’m learning to play piano and keyboard. If it’s not your thing, figure out how much breath control an instrument takes, and if you really like and instrument that takes more than you’ve got, train yourself to be that level.
Henry: Just practice and learn music that you like. Keep the instrument in their hands.
Wolfgang: A good teacher makes all the difference, make sure you learn the basics but tell them what you like so they keep it fun
Nick: It’s not easy, you just have to keep on trying and eventually it starts to come together.
HF: What type of songs do you guys play? Do you guys play only originals? Only covers?
AJ: I’m writing songs every other day now so we’re deciding no more covers (with the exception of like 3) and to start off with our many originals. But currently we have 10 covers and 1 original in our playlist
HF: Who would win in a fight – Zack or Cody?
Henry: Zack
Nick: Cody
Wolfgang: Zack
AJ: It depends on the argument. I like to see both sides through the person’s eyes first and try to find out why they would want this rather than what someone else wants, but I have friends who are twins and they fight a lot.
Which one is Zack?
HF: What are some of your favorite places in Haverhill to go?
AJ: DeAngelis School of Music and Arts tops my list and I’m sure food stores are in there somewhere – but there are so many awesome places in Haverhill that would tie for second – I just can’t choose.
Henry: Kidsfests to play at.
Wolfgang: Chunky’s.
Nick: The stadium.
HF: Do you guys get to practice and jam more now that school is out?
Wolfgang: Lots going on in the summer, we leave for Berlin, Germany in just over 3 weeks, everyone has camping and vacations planned too so maybe even less practicing.
HF: What are your hopes for the future? Sold out stadiums? Platinum albums?
AJ: Just to have Bagel, watch TV, and sing a ton until my next gig. I’m still your normal, humble, average pre-teen until I hit the stage
Henry: Both, making music and performing. I just want to play guitar, get better at it and have FUN!!!
Wolfgang: Doing the shows is fun, keep going as long as it stays that way. Being famous and making money wouldn’t be so bad :).
Nick: Both. I would like to be as famous as my influences.
The rock star lifestyle
I was so inspired by these young rockers that I’m sitting here listening to Hatebreed instead of my usual Gordon Lightfoot and Hall & Oates.
Be sure to ‘like’ the Black Diamonds on Facebook and be on the lookout for upcoming concert dates. And if you happen to be in Germany – you’re in luck! – the crew is heading out there later this summer for some shows.
