Albany pop-punk trio Young and Divine have weathered enough ups and downs during their two-year career to trade war stories with bands three times their age. But JP Clark, 23 (vocals/bass), Jake Mai, 23 (guitar/vocals) and Joe Bortscheller, 22 (drums) channeled every drop of experience into their irresistible, melodically stellar, upbeat self-titled RCA debut, which is set for release in late 2009, and the album is a welcome blast of positive energy and amped-up rock that isn't afraid to get serious, too.
The band got its start when Clark grabbed the drummer he befriended in a college psychology class - the one with the bleached-blond five-inch mohawk, Bortscheller - to play on the songs he'd been working up by ear (he doesn't read music). The group took off quickly as a four-piece, but Clark and Bortscheller soon found themselves in the market for a new bandmember to complete what was now going to be a trio. They found their missing piece in a literal digital haystack: MySpace.
"I was living in Texas where I'm from, and I got a random friend request from these jokers," laughs guitarist Jake Mai. Their energetic, catchy sound had him hooked and Mai quit his job and flew to Albany to join the band, giving Young and Divine their distinctive harmonies in the process.
After just two weeks of rehearsals all three could tell the chemistry was perfect, and the crew bonded over their childhood musical loves. As a kid, Clark ditched his piano lessons when he discovered Blink-182 and Nirvana, Mai learned dirty Adam Sandler songs on the acoustic guitar before finding Third Eye Blind and Aerosmith, and Bortscheller was convinced to pick up the drums for a Metallica cover band that never materialized. All three cite Green Day as a powerful influence.
Young and Divine's first few tours saw the trio grappling with busted transmissions, stubborn germs, and shady characters eyeing their gear. But their shows were making an impact and a fast following of loyal fans started trucking to every show within driving distance.
Young and Divine independently recorded their self-titled debut release with Kenneth Mount and Zack Odom (Cartel) at Atlanta's Tree Sound Studios, where the trio became acquainted with working in the studio and jam-packed 12-hour workdays. But most importantly, their super-charged choruses, powerful guitar lines and ear-grabbing melodies got hammered into the final 13 songs for the album.
"'Shake That Bubble' is about going to a club and it's your spot, you've got the hook up," Clark says of the group's dancey first single, where synths and a bouncy beat complement a barrage of guitars. "And it's also about what girls do at clubs - or what we're hoping they do."
The album's head-nodding opener is called "Bonus Track" and the tune usually leads off shows, too because it gives Mai a perfect opportunity to spin kick and oozes positive vibes. "That's all I want to be around now. I was tired of the old ways and hanging around negative people," Clark explains. "Strangers by Day" is what the trio call their hook-up song about "people you want to keep on the down low," and "Nicole Deserved It" is the true tale of a girl who quit her job as a camp counselor to hang out with Clark after a show one summer. "She ended up being a crappy person, so I decided she deserved what she got," he says.
With Young and Divine due later this year, the trio are itching to get back on the road and show off some of their new tricks. "I've been practicing an idea for a drum solo now that everybody's going to be involved in," Bortscheller says. "A lot of bands forget they're entertainers," adds Mai. "Our sets are dynamic but we stick to our roots: we're a rock band."
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Josh Campbell
said:
hey everyone looking at this ! my debut EP "The Sirens" is now up for FREE download ! more songs vairrrrr soon !! www.purevolume.com/joshcampbell 3 weeks ago
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Neal Brooks
said:
i am the epitome of scum I feel so low. FOLK ROCK REVOLUTION! myspace.com/thestraightwhitelines myspace.com/thestraightwhitelines myspace.com/thestraightwhitelines myspace.com/thestraightwhitelines myspace.com/thestraightwhitelines myspace.com/thestraightwhitelines 3 weeks ago
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Casey
said:
hey if you want to hear some sweet rock/pop music Check out Paradise Fears ---> www.purevolume.com/paradisefears they're from a small town in the So. Dak. but they've got a big sound. 3 weeks ago
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Mar-g
said:
whoo I saw them live (at the plano centre ;) 3 weeks ago
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Breanna Thompson
said:
Sweet sound! also check me out,im still working alot on finding my sound. but i have covers up on my site. PUREVOLUME.COM/BreannaThompson i'll love you :) BECOME A FAN!! 3 weeks ago
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Breanna Thompson
said:
Sweet sound! also check me out,im still working alot on finding my sound. but i have covers up on my site. PUREVOLUME.COM/BreannaThompson i'll love you :) BECOME A FAN!! 3 weeks ago
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Breanna Thompson
said:
Sweet sound! also check me out,im still working alot on finding my sound. but i have covers up on my site. PUREVOLUME.COM/BreannaThompson i'll love you :) BECOME A FAN!! 3 weeks ago
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Josh Campbell
said:
hey everyone looking at this ! my debut EP "The Sirens" is now up for FREE download ! more songs vairrrrr soon !! www.purevolume.com/joshcampbell 3 weeks ago
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x.thais!falconi.x
said:
i like so! VERY good! :) 3 weeks ago
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Tayzia
said:
I LOVE 'SHOW ME YOU'RE ALIVE'. IT KINDA REMINDS ME OF GARRETT PERALES (if you know who he is). 3 weeks ago
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Evan Tyler
said:
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Josh Campbell
said:
hey everyone looking at this ! my debut EP "The Sirens" is now up for FREE download ! more songs vairrrrr soon !! www.purevolume.com/joshcampbell Nov 25
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†®å√¡∫
said:
4 new songs up for free DL!! if ur lookin for some new tunes, come and take a listen or just say hi :) www.purevolume.com/travisedwards Nov 24
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soundtrack of my suicide
said:
yew guys sound awesome :D Nov 24
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willshellz
said:
like Young and Divine? how do my mashups compare? (Owl City Destruction and Fall Out Boy remix now up!!!) purevolume.com/sandboxczar Nov 24
Young and Divine
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United States
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United States
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