While Toronto-based fivesome The Diableros have only had a solid line up since mid-September, they're already in the process of recording what could turn out to be a full-length album. Jeff Sebanc caught up with a few members of the band.

What exactly is a Diablero?

"I picked it out of a Carlos Castaneda book," says singer/guitarist Pete Carmichael. "The name basically means a person who can change themselves into an animal or something like that, it's a Mexican thing."

In addition to Carmichael, the band is made up of organist Tara Huk, bassist Tyson Asher, drummer Phoebe Lee, and guitarist Paul Watling.

"I've known Tara and Phoebe for a long time, five years," says Carmichael.

The three formed the band in April of this year, adding members and losing a guitar player before settling on their current line-up in September.

"We lost a guitar player and got Paul. Originally it was just me and Tara and Phoebe."

They began recording their yet-to-be-named album October 21st.

"The way things are going I think we might have a full record done by the end of November," says Carmichael.

"I'm not sure [if it will be a full-length]. We did four songs last night so we're going to go back in a couple weeks and if we have the time and the money, maybe we'll make a full-length."

It will be released independently.

They describe their writing process modestly: "Generally just lying in bed late at night I'll have a tune in my head before I go to sleep," says Carmichael. "I just try to write it all down before I fall asleep."

"I find that Pete will have an idea of a tune, a melody, and the lyrics will come an hour later," says Huk. "We all have our own thing, but we still contribute ideas to [each other]."

Apart from Lee's odd fascination with dogs humping, and Watling's influence on himself, Carmichael says he's influenced by troopers.

"You know," he says, "the ones who come in to work no matter how sick they are. It's like desperate professionalism."

Huk is somewhat of a photography junkie.

"My spare time is spent browsing online photo albums and portfolios. Some time is spent actually taking the photographs," she says. "Musically; sixties bands outweigh any others. I sing the harmonies while driving - alone! Specifically the Zombies, the Hollies... Ultimately [I'm influenced by] self-sufficient individuals - famous and not."

In addition to The Diableros, Carmichael and Asher are in two other bands, Another Blue Door and The Airfields, respectively.

BY JEFF SEBANC