HIPReplacement - Diesel Park West The Guardian - October 30th, 1998 Emerging in the mid-eighties as Leicester's answer to Buffalo Springfield, Diesel Park West were one the many Next Big Things who never quite happened. Which means, according to the Gods of musical taste, they have no right to be The Next Big Thing again now, no way, no matter how good their ringing, rough and tumble psychedelia has become in the meantime. Aging and cynical, they've filled HIPRelpacement with enormous, lighter-waving choruses, Roger Mcguinn's old Rickenbackers and a thriving disrespect for the music industry, and done for the Midlands what Tom Petty used to do for the Midwest. Englands best American record of 1998.

Diesel Park West, HIP Replacement, Thunderbird Records (Import) The River Reporter - by Bob Cianci, November 5, 1998 You may recall this writer went absolutely gaga earlier this year over British roots rockers Diesel Park West (DPW), who were pegged for superstardom in the 80's, and never achieved that goal because of mismanagement, bad breaks, and other unfortunate mishaps. But now, DPW, who are practically unknown in this country, have come charging back with a new album of angry diatribes levelled straight at the music business, cloaked in 60's psychedelia, brimming with piss and vinegar, and wrapped up in a sound that brings to mind their influences - American 60's icons like Moby Grape, The Byrds, and Buffalo Springfield, plus The Who, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. Needless to say, this is powerful music by a great rock 'n roll band. HIP Replacement may or may not break Diesel Park West big time either in England or in the U.S.A, but it's obvious this band will keep on trying untill they do. More power to them and an "A" for determination and resilience, not to mention outstanding music. Of course, you can help by purchasing this disc directly from Thunderbird Records. Contact them at 9 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HH, England. Earliest issues of HIP Replacement include a bonus second disc containing the band's earliest demos for their debut album, Shakespeare Alabama, so act quickly!

HIPReplacement - Diesel Park West Maxim The Steve Stills revival starts here! The Diesel's desire to recreate West coast psychedelic pop is understandable, seeing as they hail from deepest Leicester. Lacking crashing surf and presumably, shedloads of hallucinogenics, their tight harmony and twangy guitar isn't a bad second best to wearing flowers in your hair, which, lets face it, never looks right down Filbert Street anyway. Sadly, re-working "Love The One You're With" and recreating that shimmery Byrds sound on your 12 string isn't enough.

Had they come along a few years later, this bunch might just have pulled off the Oasis trick. The Diesel's brand of sixties-influenced no-nonsense melodic rock has earned them a legion of dedicated fans - but not, as yet fame and fortune. They still 'aint trendy - but don't let this put you off. Their latest album, released on the Oxford-based Thunderbird label, illustrates the bands boundless energy and the raw vocal power of founder member John Butler. Catch them live at The Bullingdon Arms tomorrow night.