Ryan Piecowye and Dean Scott, two former Drumheller residents, recently competed in a Battle of the Bands. They faced off with six other bands on May 18 in Red Deer.
Their band, Diesel May, won a spot to perform at the Boonstock Music Festival in Gibbons, Alberta on June 29.
“It’s always been a dream of ours to play music,” said Ryan Piecowye, bass player for Diesel May.
Piecowye was born and raised here in Drumheller and Scott moved to town when he was four years old. The two met at a young age and grew up together in the Midland area. Scott moved away at age 11, while Piecowye graduated from Drumheller Composite High School. He went on to Red Deer to attend college.
It was after moving to Red Deer that the two got back in touch.
“It had been like 15 years since I’d seen Dean and he called me up out of the blue,” said Piecowye.
This was how Piecowye came to be the bass player for Diesel May.
“As kids we had wanted to be like rockstars. Growing up I had always had an interest in music. When I got the choice between playing hockey or doing something with music, I chose music,” said Piecowye.
The band is currently writing material for their second album, and will be releasing a short three-song “teaser” within a month and a half. They have been played on the radio in Red Deer, where the band is based, and have had radio play as far away as the U.K. Diesel May is also hoping to set up a show in Drumheller in the near future.
“It’s always fun to play in the hometown,” said Piecowye.
For more information about Diesel May, check them out on Facebook and their music is available for download on iTunes.
