Normally our inbox is full of fabulous new music and the announcement of tours and other exciting events relating to the Northern Irish music scene; sadly this afternoon we got some bad news. Local rockers Trucker Diablo have gone on hiatus.
Often highlighted as one of the real success stories in recent years, the band had both a European and American label behind them, appeared at many festivals including Download, Tennent’s Vital, Hard Rock Hell, not to mention a whole host of amazing support slots with Black Stone Cherry, Terrorvision and our own Thin Lizzy.
Only recently they confirmed that Simon Haddock would be leaving the band for family reasons and were looking for an able replacement. Unfortunately front man and founder of the band Tom Harte has taken the difficult decision to step away, also citing the importance of spending time with his family. While we are so very disappointed with the news, it is a brave decision and we truly respect Tom for putting his family first.
The band have always been very supportive of our own endeavors at Chordblossom which was always greatly appreciated. Rather randomly I even make a brief cameo in their video for The Rebel. From all of here at CB we would like to wish them well for the future. We genuinely hope they will pop up again for a few shows in the not too distant future.
Keep on truckin’
Here is Tom’s full statement:
“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to put the brakes on TRUCKER DIABLO for the foreseeable future. I had a sit down with my partner Cheryl yesterday who has been suffering with an illness that affects her mobility for some time now and has gradually been getting worse over the last few months, which has resulted in Cheryl and my son Caleb suffering from me commiting time to my duties in the band. I have to prioritise Cheryl and Caleb over the band and that’s really the bottom line. I started, named and have wrote majoirty of the music in Trucker Diablo so its hard for me to let go, but for the sake of my family I have to. The decision has been made easier by Simon leaving to be honest and puts things in perspective when you have a family to support and a dream to fulfill, but sometimes fate rolls the dice and they cannot mutually exist.
The music industry has always been an industry of ups and downs. There is so much cost and sacrifice to try and rise above the noise and leave a dent, I am just so proud that so many people liked the music. I remember sitting for the best part of six months writing Songs of Iron in my wee rock shed and after being really excited to get the album out, so many firsts, writing Drink Beer Destroy drunk and writing Maybe You’re The One and not considering it for the album, supporting Foo Fighters, Black Stone Cherry, Dee Snider rockin out side of the stage at Download festival, Ricky Warwick for agreeing to be on on the 1st album and being a constant supporter of us and the band. Thanks to Simon, Glenn, Terry and their partners for their support and my partner Cheryl who has been with me from the start. Also want to thank Darren Seaton and Baz for helping to guide the Big Truck, it was a blast and not to forget the Diamond Rock Club for being the epicentre of rock and support. To all our friends, promoters, fan and bands thank you all
but getting on board the Big Truck. I am proud of what we acheived as a band. I like to think of a lot of the fans as friends and want to extend my gratitude for supporting me and the guys down the years. I’m sure Terry and Glenn will release their thoughts at some point too.
Songwriting is in my blood and in my heart and all I ever wanted to do was to make the best music that moves people in some kind of way. I will continue to write songs for myself and for others so its not completely the end, I may even release an album , who knows lol….Baby steps for now.
So with a tear in my eye and hope in my heart I will say farewell but not goodbye.
XOXO, Tom”
