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Diplomanics • /pronounced ”dip-luh-man-iks”/ •noun

1 : A word-play on "Diplomats", meaning one who uses skill and tact in dealing with others, and "Manic", meaning characterizing, denoting, or affected by mania.

2 : A Central New-Jersey based American acoustic modern rock/indie rock live performance ensemble.

Jon Mitzner – Acoustic Guitars, Vocals

Rk Scott – Acoustic and Fretless Basses

Kat Viksne – Electric Violin, Vocals

Mike Wilder – Drums and Percussion

Diplomanics (formerly known as "Back-Alley Diplomats", “B.A.D.” or “The Diplomats”) came into existence in the spring of 2008 when singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Mitzner, had been playing with long-time friend Mike Wilder in Mike’s band the Mike Wilder trio, and had been attending informal jam session hosted by drummer Paul Falcone (of TnT Blues) at his East Brunswick home.  These jams were often attended by a wide variety of other local musicians including the likes of singer/guitarist Mike Jasper, bassist Rk Scott, violinist/keyboardist/vocalist Kat Viksne, and a wide range of other local talent.  In fact, around that time, Rk, Kat, Paul and a handful of others who attended these jams had created the classic rock collective called Pauly’s Basement Jams, and were playing occasional live shows at local venues where Jon had seen them performing.  Since the Mike Wilder Trio had been on hiatus, Jon had been doing some solo performance gigs, but wanted to put together a new ensemble.  So he approached Rk, Mike Jasper, and Mike Wilder with the idea and they agreed that it would be a fantastic idea.  The Jon Mitzner Group was formed, and began playing a series of local venue and private acoustic dates. 

The band’s repertoire focused on an interesting combination of classic rock covers from artists like Cat Stephens , Neal Young, Crosby Stills and Nash, and The Allman Brothers along with a healthy dose of newer pieces from artists like Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band, David Gray and Donovan Frankenreiter, just to name a few.  As the band began to play out more, Jon came up with the idea to integrate new tonal textures into the band’s sound and approached violinist Kat Viksne, who was also playing with a healthy schedule of local acts including Pauly’s Basement Jams and the Dave Matthews Band tribute group Atypical Situation (where Rk played bass as well).  Kat agreed to join the ensemble after listening to live show audio from some of their recent gigs.  With the second guitar/backing vocal guitar seat alternating between Mike Jasper and bassist/guitarist Ken Ramos, from the New Jersey band Blue Highways, the group began to book more regular shows and develop a following in the New Brunswick area. 

Over the past couple of years, the band’s sound has really begun to solidify into a unique, smooth, laid back, groovy style which audiences have grown to enjoy.  Because the philosophy of the band was to allow each member to express his or her own individual playing style in interpreting cover material, it was decided amongst the members to make it more of a collective mentality.  At that point, the permanent second guitar seat was swapped in lieu of violin, and the band changed the name from the Jon Mitzner Group to Back-Alley Diplomats.  They’ve been operating under this moniker until February of 2011, when they changed their name once again to Diplomanics.

Currently, Diplomanics have been and are playing regular live shows in the New Brunswick area.  Their shows are characterized by their laid-back and fun loving/humor filled interaction with audiences and their propensity to feature special guest local musician talent, who often sit in during later sets.  So it’s a fun mystery for audiences to see who will come and play at the B.A.D. shows.  For more information, or to be placed on the band’s Email list for live show information, or to contact the band to book shows, please contact the band via these sources:

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