Countdown to Battle #3: Beau Diamond and the Collective Dream Band

Beau Diamond has been performing publicly for only three years, but he's left an impressive trail of work in that short time.

Beau Diamond and the Collective Dream Band, which Diamond formed last summer, just finished recording its debut full-length album, Keepin' Busy. When it's released later this summer, it will join a Diamond discography sprinkled all over the Internet -- including a full-length as a solo and an EP with the Collective Dream Band.

The High Ridge native formed his first band, Space Wolf Infinity, in 2013 as a vehicle for his quirky folk-punk tunes. But it wasn't long before the charismatic frontman began feeling crowded. "Eventually it became more of a communal effort," he said, "and that's when things went sour."

Diamond left the band to pursue a solo career. He reunited with Space Wolf Infinity drummer CJ Wagner last summer, and the duo decided to become a band again. Soon after, the Collective Dream Band was rounded out with bassist Aaron Buchanan and lead guitarist Conor Schulte.

Diamond credits Conor Oberst, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty as his songwriting models and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse for inspiring his vocal style. But it all started with his love of punk, Diamond said, with "Green Day being the gateway to that world. Billie Joe Armstrong's solid lyrics, simple yet powerful playing style and electrifying performance is what made me want to get on stage in the first place."

"I'd say that I'm a singer-songwriter who does a lot with what I have," Diamond said. "I don't have a stellar voice nor exceptional guitar skills. But I'm confident in my writing, and people have told me I have excellent stage presence. I want my music to be explosive. I don't want people to just see some guys playing a set -- I want to provide them with something truly entertaining."

You can try to keep up with Diamond on Twitter. Bandcamp hosts his solo album, Day In & Day Out, as well as a Collective Dream Band single, Generation A.D.D. The band's EP, BDCBD, can be found at Bandcamp.com and on Spotify. The band has a YouTube channel that includes this video: