The Diversions

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The Diversions were a Washington, D.C. based band that enjoyed regional success from 1980 to 1985. They played a mix of music
including Rockabilly, Surf, Ska, and were influenced by the Ventures, Dick Dale, Gene Vincent, Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
The evolving Ska scene was also important and is evidenced in some purely Ska originals as well as a surf instrumental with a ska beat.
The love for early Rock and Roll was also evident in the music they wrote. They had well over an hour of Surf Instrumentals, and at one
point opened for themselves as "The Surfin' Pharoahs." Also 20 to 25 original Rockabilly songs and spirited renditions of several classics
made for energetic live shows. A lot of the music was pop influenced by the Beatles and Marshall Crenshaw. The Diversions were adept
and capable of moving back and forth between various Genres effortlessly. New York Rocker Magazine called the Diversions "one of the top bands
in the burgeoning Washington, D.C. Rockabilly scene."



The Diversions included Ralph Segal (aka Jimmy Torpedo) on Drums, Brian Villalva (aka Brian Damage) on Guitar and Vocals.
Petr Liska (aka Lee Ska) on Bass and Vocals, and also included John Montgomery (aka John E. Strange) on Guitar and vocals from
1980 to 1983. The earliest incarnation also included Jamie King on Vocals and Halsey on Guitar and vocals. The Diversions received
moderate airplay nationally. The Diversions, Stevie Ray Vaughn concert at the Wax Museum Nightclub in Washington, D.C. was number
29 in Billboard in January 1983 top grossing concerts. The Diversions played Rockabilly, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, Surf, and Ska. Most of the
music was written by Brian Villalva, with several songs written by Ralph Segal, Lee Ska, and John Montgomery. Collaborations
were the norm and a rough draft original contribution could undergo considerable change before completion. "The Diversions" received
positive press in the Washington Post, New Music Express, New York Rocker, and Billboard. In 1982 Washington's premier concert hall held a
Battle of the Bands to promote the new venue with 200 bands entered. The contest was judged by well known music executives with a grand prize
of $10,000.00. The final four bands included Black Market Baby, The Johnny Seaton Band, Evan Johns and the H Bombs, and The Diversions.
The Diversions placed second. The Washington Post article in the Style section headline read "Johnny Seaton narrowly edges The Diversions in Battle of the Bands,

The Diversions broke up in 1985 and have yet to play any reunion shows.

Discography:

1982 Single - Get up / backed w Little Lovin' Baby
1983 Album - Rock 'n' Roll Fever
1985 Album - Here it is
ASCAP / BMI

[edit] References

  • Sasfy, Joe. "Inventive Diversions at Desperados", Washington, D.C.: Washington Post. 
  • "Style", Washington, D.C.: Washington Post. 
  • "Top Grossing Concerts" (1983). Billboard Magazine. 
  • "New Music Express" (1982). 
  • "New York Rocker" (1982).