Diamonds and Guns

"Diamonds and Guns" is the debut single by American punk rock/hip hop band Transplants, released on October 15, 2002, as the lead single from their debut studio album. It was recorded at Tim's Basement in Los Angeles, California, produced by Tim Armstrong and Dave Carlock, and released via Hellcat Records. The track, "Diamonds and Guns", was written and performed by the Transplants (Robert "Skinhead Rob" Aston, Tim Armstrong, Travis Barker) and Jason "Son Doobie" Vasquez of Funkdoobiest. The single peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States and No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart. All four performers appeared in the music video for "Diamonds and Guns".

The instrumental version of "Diamonds and Guns" was played as background music in Garnier Fructis commercials for several years. Considering the song's themes of heroin use and murder, the decision by Garnier to use it in hair care commercials has been considered one of the most inappropriate uses of a song in advertising history. The song is edited minorly, toning down the guitar distortion. The song is also used in the series Smallville in the second-season episode 'Visitor'. This song was also featured in an episode of the short-lived series Fastlane. Also included in Bulletproof Monk when the character Kar is introduced. The B-side, "Tall Cans In the Air," was also used in the film.

Track listing
Adapted from Discogs Note
 * †Music video for "Diamonds and Guns" also featured in some versions of the single.

Personnel

 * "Diamonds and Guns"
 * Tim Armstrong - vocals, guitar, bass, loops, lyrics, mixing, producer
 * Rob "Skinhead Rob" Aston - vocals, lyrics, scratches
 * Travis Barker - drums
 * Jason "Son Doobie" Vasquez - vocals, lyrics
 * Dave Carlock - backing vocals, piano, mixing, producer
 * Gene Grimaldi - mastering


 * "Tall Cans in the Air"
 * Tim Armstrong - vocals, guitar, loops, lyrics, mixing, producer
 * Rob "Skinhead Rob" Aston - vocals, lyrics
 * Travis Barker - drums
 * Dave Carlock - synthesizer, mixing, producer
 * Brody Dalle - backing vocals
 * Matt Freeman - bass
 * Victor Ruggiero - Hammond B-3 organ
 * Gene Grimaldi - mastering