The Divide

An anomaly in the New York City rock scene, The Divide found themselves surrounded by a curiously devoted and respectful audience. Alex Theoret, vocalist and guitarist for the band remarks, "Whether to attempt to follow suit of a current scene or to try something more natural and quote end-quote, original, is a decision all bands have to make". A choice for The Divide, where the latter of the two paths was taken...

The Divide was formed in 2003 by childhood friends Alex Theoret and Jon Spanos (drums) in the bowels of New York City's lower east side, understood as the city's major musical breeding ground for rock. With the help of bassist friend Eric C, they quickly were cutting their way through the musically saturated city. It wasn't long before the boys came across fellow musical deviant Bart Lucas (formerly of Saint Azimuth). With Eric handing the bass off to Bart, the three piece was complete and ready to hit the road to nurture their buzz and build their regional fan-base.

The assault was on the northeastern US, which eagerly adapted to the musical dynamic of the band. Beautifully mesmerizing melodies, a signature of the band, lay atop a thick and intricate belly of music keeping the audience thoroughly entranced. "I hope we create something strange" murmurs Alex, followed by a number of the most passionately distorted chordal hits until... silence.

Absolute silence.

"Rarely has a room such as a packed CBGB's been dead silent after a band finishes a set", spurts NYC street-team leader Dave Leftwich, "And this happens every time they play- until of course, the crowd catches a breathe for the cheer".

The foundation of the music is formed by Jon's timing and odd hit combinations, reminiscent of a postmodern Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins) and Neil Peart (Rush) bastard child. Jon's hits are wrangled by Bart's bass stack spewing a "groovy" yet driven rock sound, making sense of an undulating rhythmic beast. Grit and mass is then added with Alex's homemade SG cranked through a stack driven by two frankenstein modified Marshall and Ampeg amplifiers.

In mid 2005 The Divide built an analogue studio and recorded their debut entitled Beautiful Disaster, released January 2006. This seven song EP is highly regarded by fans and industry professionals alike. The professional production captures an intensity of the band which is rarely accomplished by independent recordings. The Divide doesn't rely on the EP to communicate their message however. Every show performed by the group is a spectacle and an emotional journey unique to any other show, keeping the audience watching, wanting and coming for more.