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primer
step into the divided sky
DIVIDED SKY is a quartet of entities who feel it necessary to abandon the stagnating confines of traditional rock and create a fresh and exciting vibrant hybrid of sonic pleasures. They have summoned a style of music that most have attempted to classify as heavy divergent rock. What is that, you ask? It is a potent recipe for an aural stew of intelligent rock, jazz, pop and classical influences that makes for an undeniably tasty listening experience.
The band began in 1999 in a basement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as an experiment in progressive rock and quickly grew into a full fledged obsession. The music became an escape from sterile, clone-like mainstream trends that plagued the airwaves.
Divided Sky pierces your helpless mind with potent, prophetic lyrics seamlessly woven into a backdrop of vastly dynamic music ranging from serene beauty to total chaos. The band dares to challenge the sensibilities of the listener and assault their ears with unpredictable, often unconventional arrangements and approaches. Heavy, melodic, intricate and often just plain bizarre, Divided Sky represents forward-thinking music at its finest.
Absorb.
Accept.
Embrace.
story
The concept of Divided Sky began as an embryonic waif in the twisted mind of Crisden, who was fed up listening to the filtered, rehashed refuse that permeated the airwaves and minds of innocent listeners everywhere. It was indeed time to share his infectious insanity, which he used to recruit Scott Radway to pound on helpless percussion instruments, Kevin Collins to aid in guitar butchering duties, and Franco Fiorini to grab a hold of the low end. Together they made sweet musical love, and Divided Sky was birthed into the world in January of 1999.
The fruits of the original lineup were harvested in the form of the eponymous Divided Sky demo, which hit circulation by the fall of '99. However, differences in musical direction caused the departure of Collins and the reforging of the band. They were joined in this new incarnation by Kevin Hightower, who quickly worked his knuckles into the fretboard.
The seething mass of music ravaged the Philadelphia area for most of 2000 and 2001, garnering critical acclaim and building a loyal fan base. Not content to simply punish the live music scene, the unit entered the studio in May of 2001 to begin recording the debut full length album "Spectral". However, in June the band hit a pothole with their bladders full when differences in music and opinion forced the departure of Hightower, who subsequently joined forces with local band Noosphere. Fiorini also meandered away, no longer able to resist the pull of local powerhouses Ploy.
All was not lost, however, as guitarist Rich Banister saw the light of opportunity and worked his way into the unit in September. And after many years of futile resistance, Jeff Pedraz - a jazz fiend and longtime friend to Radway - filled the bass slot in November of 2001. With the new lineup in place, the finishing touches were put on "Spectral", which was at last released in September 2002.
Although Pedraz's uncompromising technique was quite complimentary to the Divided Sky sound, the jazz world would not let him go and he was at last wrenched from the grasp of the band. There was only one option for Divided Sky: enlist many-tentacled bass monster Art Franklin. With the addition of Franklin, Divided Sky was one step closer to the ultimate goal of owning and subsequently corrupting all the best musical talent in Philadelphia.
Again potent and vital, Divided Sky began to chronicle new paths to sonic fulfillment. Following the DIY philosophy, the band decided to record the follow-up to Spectral on their own. Taking residence in their own Hidden Creek Studios in mid 2004, the boys hunkered down and began recording their sophomore monstrosity. Strong attention was given to evolving the Divided Sky sound while writing their most powerful, relevant and mind-bendingly accessible music yet.
However, much like that sinister recurrent case of galactic herpes, disaster struck Divided Sky repeatedly on the buttocks. All manner of equipment failures, rampant perfectionism, and giant squid attacks extended the schedule longer than anyone wants to think about. The band eventually completely the arduous recording process, but not without casualties - Radway amicably split with the band to puruse his own rather stirring solo material.
With a complete album and incomplete lineup, Divided Sky feared the worst - that no one would be able to fill Radway's zippy shoes. The band, then, was as surprised as anyone when famed lovable rapscallion Jonny "Chops" Henrich showed up at their door and proceeded to pound out their music. With some fancy talkin' the band convinced Jonny to enlist and the reinvigorated collective swarmed the live scene in early 2006, leaving only bare fields and dropped jaws in their wake.
Now in their most deadly incarnation yet, Divided Sky is poised to release their second album, aptly titled the subtle art of failure, like genetic spores through the atmosphere. But will they finally succeed and take their rightful places as rulers of this earth, or will they meet with embarrassing defeat at the hands of those insufferable Joes? Soon we will know... and knowing is half the battle.
members
Sean Crisden Is a founding member of Divided Sky that walks the line of genius and insanity. Well, its more like a slight up-tempo trot. And the line is more like an eight lane divided highway. And he aint' on the genius side.
Rich Banister aint founded shit. But he did put together a list of his best hair-care and maintenance tips for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
Jonny Chops found a great deal on a bridge, and is currently on his way to New York to pick it up.
Kevin McLaughlin is from NJ, likes Weird Al and peels cheese off of pizza, easily claiming the throne of "Mostest Normalestest in Divided Sky".
quotes
"These guys are not just musicians, they are artists, in every sense of the meaning."
-Mike Brennen, Origivation Magazine
"the group ... uses textural playing, unfaltering rhythmic drive and
sharp dynamics to create mood and interest... an intriguing aural experience"
-Guitar9.com
"[Divided Sky] is [the best band ever]"
-Abraham Lincoln
electronic press kit
Click here for the Divided Sky SonicBids Electronic Press Kit.
press
The Subtle Art of Failure
DPRP, December 2006 [archive] - "...really pushing the boundaries of progressive metal into a distinctive and ground-breaking new territory."
Chaos Realm, August 2006 [archive] - "Guitars sharpened like cardiologists' scalpels carve out razor riffs that at once amaze and still find a way to rock"
Progressive Ears, August 2006 [archive] - "Man, these guys are good."
Sea of Tranquility, August 2006 [archive] - "This band writes their songs with immense control and definition, and "Failure" is one of the best songs I've heard all year."
PeaceDogMan, July 2006 [archive] - "This ensemble should be on a record label for their next disc, but from the quality of this package I’m wondering if they need one."
Ytsejam.com, May 2006 [archive] - "Heavy, grinding, and melodic ... Divided Sky prove that this record is anything but a failure."
Spectral
Plug In Music, December 2003 [archive] - "Divided Sky might appear a heavy metal or hard rock band, but at closer inspection you see there is much more there"
SoundNova.com, December 2003 [archive] - "I'm diggin' it"
Aversion Online, November 2003 [archive] - "This is one of those rare bands that has a massive wealth of potential"
Prog4You, October 2003 [archive] - "This is music for the future... but we have it today!"
DPRP, 2003 [archive] - "discovering Divided Sky has for me, been a little like a mole discovering there really is light at the end of the tunnel"
Music Morsels, August 2003 [archive] - "great, inventive new heavy rock"
Progressivebr.com, July 2003 (scroll to the bottom of the page) [archive] - "Excellent and indispensable work"
RikksRevues.com, July 2003 [archive] - "...would make Carlos Santana take notice"
Progressive World, June 2003 [archive] - "Divided Sky are musical militants who aren’t interested in perpetuating timeworn functions and forms"
Gods of Music, May 2003 (Grasp) [archive] - "deserves repeated listening"
George Wacker, Backyard Buzz 5 March 2003. [archive] - "Each song is divergent, ambient, and hard-hitting."
Origivation Magazine, January 2003 [archive] - "What the hell?"
Guitar9.com, October 2002 [archive] - "an intriguing aural experience"
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