On the train this morning I had my iPod on shuffle.
Then a song started. It was Diesel. I turned it up loud. I actually wanted everyone in the carriage to hear it.
I was automatically transported to my 14 year old self and could remember the exactly moment when Hep Fidelity was released. Mum actually went to Northland before work to be there when Brashes opened so I was the first person in Northland to even have the CD. I was always very proud of this fact!
In my 20 years of Diesel fandom so many memories are tied up with his music. I remember first finding out about him through his band ‘Johnny Diesel and the Injectors’ and of course, him playing guitar with Jimmy Barnes. This reached fever pitch when he released the song ‘Come to Me’ in 1992… I was smitten!
I remember being on school holidays going to Brashes on Swanston Street and asking if I could please have their huge instore promotional poster for Hep Fidelity. I got it (and the yards of fishing wire that had held it from the ceiling) and it was on my wall for years… so long that I had very decent oily blutac residue marks in each corner.
The best morning ever was some time in about 1996 when Kelloggs were giving away CD singles in their cornflakes boxes and I got the Diesel one. He was doing a duet cover with Chris Wilson of ‘I can’t stand the rain’. Such a good cover!
I remember when I first started at Vaucluse they had a parent and daughter information session. We were able to wear casual clothes so I proudly wore my Hep Fidelity t-shirt. A fellow classmate then came up and said “So you like Diesel hey? So do I!” Her name was Francesca and we have been friends ever since!
Then there was the opening of the Melbourne Hard Rock Cafe back in 1995. Matthew was only 12 – so I dragged him along with my group of friends – Frannie, Kelly and Meghan and we were all there front row to see Deez, The Badloves and ho-hum… Boz Scaggs. I remember us getting there so early and it went for so long but that it was awesome. I remember giving the camera film to mum the next day and saying “Make sure you tell them I need the photos processed FAST!” Ahhhh old school film development!
I was there when my buddy Harlan was converted to the goodness of Deez when we went along to what would end up being the last ever ‘real show’ of Midnight Oil and Diesel was the support. He has been basking in Diesel fandom ever since.
Then there was another Diesel gig we went to. This time it was Diesel with Strings! Harlan and I went to this show at the Espy where after getting there very early he didn’t come on until very late. That was a drainer… but then it was also the perfect gig too.
Then there are the MANY times that the aforementioned Frannie and I stood, front of the stage at the Northcote Social Club right at the feet of Ritchie the Bass Player and giggled and sang all night… and then the night when Diesel basically put his guitar on top of her head while he was playing.
So this morning, when I got off the train I quickly texted her that I was just listening to Diesel and hopefully we can see him together in September. Then, surprise surprise, she had just seen James Reyne play and also met him. Was I jealous?! YES, TOTALLY!
I miss our crazy nights and music chats so much and one thing I will always be thankful to her for – insisting I go to the Foo Fighters concert with her in 2008. It was one of the best concerts ever! Here we are before the show –
Random fact – Diesel was one of the lucky few to have his music featured in Beverly Hills 90210. It is always a blast when that episode is shown on SoapNet.
Masterplan is my personal favourite –
Then there is One more time and whoa.. check out the solo work-
I love his acoustic of All Come Together –