15 years of Queens of Steel: Brian Tatler

-We Queens of Steel have been annoying people for 15 years now. During these years a lot of albums have been released. What albums do you specially remember or are your favourites of these last 15 years? Those you have pretty much worn.
Muse – The Resistance. AC/DC – Black Ice. The Wildhearts – Chutzpah! Tedeschi Trucks Band- Revelator. David Gilmour – Rattle That Lock.

-Even some new bands have born. Which ones are your favourites?
I am a big fan of Muse, I also like Biffy Clyro, The Amazons, Monster Truck, Halestorm and Royal Blood.

-And the split up you regret the most?
It was really sad that Chris Cornell passed away so no more Soundgarden. You could not replace him.

-All of us tend to attend gigs, festivals… During 15 years we’ve spent a lot of time in airports, trains, cars. What is the show or festival you recall with special affection?
Sweden Rock in 2016 was great. Diamond Head had a good time slot and everything went smoothly. It was a great crowd and it was filmed for posterity. Its a very well run festival, we always enjoy it. I have done around 1500 gigs so far in my career, sometimes its hard to remember idividual ones, many times they all blend together. Wacken in 2019 was awesome and Leyendes Del Rock in Spain 2018.

-They are a lot of years if you think about it. Which would be your most memorable moment(s)? A milestone or achievement, on a personal and/or musical level.
Diamond Head have made four albums in the last fifteen years. I always get agreat sense of achievement when I hold the finished product in my hands. After months of effort and problem solving to know that its all complete and now readily available to the public is a special feeling that I think will never go away. The fact that band is still going after over forty years is amazing to me. The fact that the band that I started with some school friends has been all over the world and inspired the biggest metal band of all time is incredible to me.

-Everything evolves (involutes sometimes) with time, so does the Metal «community». What do you believe has been the biggest change the Metal scene has experience or is experiencing during this time? For the better or for the worse. Because if we stop and think about it, not even Spotify existed 15 years ago!
The growth, its become a worldwide phenomena with festivals springing up all over the planet. We have all come to realise that Metal will be around forever. Nothing and no-one can stop it.

-Looking to the future, what would be the best possible scenario for you if you think about the next 15 years?
Thats a tough one. I dont suppose Diamond Head will still be going in 15 years (I turned sixty in April) I have always tried to protect the name and legacy. I still enjoy making music and playing live, especially when its in countries or cities that the band has never visited before, that always adds a dollop of extra excitement. I just hope to keep playing as long as my health holds out. I am still trying to climb that Rock ‘n’ Roll ladder and expand Diamond Head’s possiblities. It sure is a long road to the top.
Brian Tatler