Divided by Zero
Encyclopedia
Divided by Zero is an American
rock
band formed in 2002 in San Diego, California
, USA.
Best known for fusing elements of melodic hard rock, punk, and reggae to create a highly original sound that combines metal's aggressiveness with classic hooks and melodies, Divided by Zero channel a number of styles into one concrete sound on their ambitious debut album, The Black Sea.
in 2002 from the remains of award-winning band Ghoulspoon, a group which had distinguished itself in the prolific San Diego music scene of the early 1990s that also included bands such as blink-182
, P.O.D.
, Unwritten Law
, Buck-O-Nine
, Sprung Monkey
, Drive Like Jehu
, and Rocket From the Crypt
. Carried over from the original Ghoulspoon lineup was Zachary Goode on vocals
and Jeremy Ronstadt on guitar
. Longtime Ghoulspoon members Rice bass
and Jason Vick drum
s also stayed onboard, while guitarist Jason Cooper left and was replaced with former roadie, James "Spooky" Albers on guitar.
and Soulfly
who produced Divided by Zero's debut album The Black Sea.
"The Black Sea has a poisonous atmosphere that prevents parasites from eating away at ancient shipwrecks; leaving them perfectly preserved on the ocean's floor. Using the shipwrecks as a metaphor for our lives as musicians, I see parallels between that and the music business," says Divided by Zero frontman Zach Goode about the concept behind the album's title. "Thousands of us are waiting to be discovered, trapped in lives of our own making. I began to connect the themes of our songs and explored topics of frustration, disappointment, lost love
, alienation, and ultimately, hope and redemption."
After a haunting introduction, the album begins with the explosive "Ashes of Armies", a fierce meditation on the music industry. Songs like "Chemical" and "The World is not Mine" mix aggressive double bass and incendiary dual guitar
work with melodic hooks and flourishes of sitars and keys. The set's centerpiece is the downtempo stunner "Helicopter" where the lyrics
take a more hopeful turn and the song cycle ends with the nearly acoustic "Shame" which is a reminder not to be threatened by your fears.
Divided by Zero went on indefinite hiatus in 2007.
In 2008 Goode formed a new band with Albers and former members of the band Vocoder called The Secret Seven. Their debut album "Turn Your Back to the Sea" was released on July 24, 2010.
Rice now plays bass in My Elysian.
Ronstadt plays guitar in Authentic Sellout
Vick plays drums in Authentic Sellout
www.myspace.com/authenticsellout
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band formed in 2002 in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, USA.
Best known for fusing elements of melodic hard rock, punk, and reggae to create a highly original sound that combines metal's aggressiveness with classic hooks and melodies, Divided by Zero channel a number of styles into one concrete sound on their ambitious debut album, The Black Sea.
Formation
Divided by Zero formed in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
in 2002 from the remains of award-winning band Ghoulspoon, a group which had distinguished itself in the prolific San Diego music scene of the early 1990s that also included bands such as blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
, P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
, Unwritten Law
Unwritten Law
Unwritten Law is an American rock band formed in 1990 in Poway, California and currently recording for Suburban Noize Records. They have released seven full-length studio albums and have toured internationally, including performances on the Warped Tour...
, Buck-O-Nine
Buck-O-Nine
Buck-O-Nine is an American ska punk band which was formed in San Diego in 1991. The band has toured internationally and released several albums and e.p.'s, as well as appearing on compilations and film soundtracks. During the mid-to-late 1990s, they experienced mainstream success with the release...
, Sprung Monkey
Sprung Monkey
Sprung Monkey is an American band that originated in San Diego, California, USA, initially active from 1991 to 2002, and again since 2005. Sprung Monkey consists of five members, Steve Summers for the vocals, Mike Summers and William Riley for the guitars, Ernie Longoria for the drums, and Tony...
, Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore and alternative rock band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995. Formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis following the breakup of their band Pitchfork, the band's lineup also included bassist Mike Kennedy and...
, and Rocket From the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
. Carried over from the original Ghoulspoon lineup was Zachary Goode on vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
and Jeremy Ronstadt on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. Longtime Ghoulspoon members Rice bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and Jason Vick drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s also stayed onboard, while guitarist Jason Cooper left and was replaced with former roadie, James "Spooky" Albers on guitar.
Albums
In 2003 the band released "The Separation ep", which was quickly nominated for Hard Rock Album of the year at The San Diego Music Awards. It established their sound of inventive, melodic hard rock and metal, alongside reggae undertones and moved away from Ghoulspoon's quirky rap sensibilities. Songs such as "Drowning not Waving," "Heavy Metal Parking Lot," and "Protection" would become favorites with local fans and would eventually be re-recorded for the band's full-length debut. The EP attracted the attention of Sik World Records, who signed the band to a recording contract and put them in the studio in December 2005 with Mikey Doling, former guitarist in SnotSnot (band)
Snot was an American rock band from Santa Barbara, California. Formed in 1995, the band released their debut studio album Get Some with founding vocalist Lynn Strait in 1997 and disbanded after his death in 1998. In 2008, the lineup of guitarists Mike Doling and Sonny Mayo, bassist John Fahnestock...
and Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
who produced Divided by Zero's debut album The Black Sea.
"The Black Sea has a poisonous atmosphere that prevents parasites from eating away at ancient shipwrecks; leaving them perfectly preserved on the ocean's floor. Using the shipwrecks as a metaphor for our lives as musicians, I see parallels between that and the music business," says Divided by Zero frontman Zach Goode about the concept behind the album's title. "Thousands of us are waiting to be discovered, trapped in lives of our own making. I began to connect the themes of our songs and explored topics of frustration, disappointment, lost love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
, alienation, and ultimately, hope and redemption."
After a haunting introduction, the album begins with the explosive "Ashes of Armies", a fierce meditation on the music industry. Songs like "Chemical" and "The World is not Mine" mix aggressive double bass and incendiary dual guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
work with melodic hooks and flourishes of sitars and keys. The set's centerpiece is the downtempo stunner "Helicopter" where the lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
take a more hopeful turn and the song cycle ends with the nearly acoustic "Shame" which is a reminder not to be threatened by your fears.
Recent activity
After "The Black Sea" was released on June 6, 2006 to critical acclaim, the band spent much of the Summer on the "Sik World Rock n Roll Circus Tour" alongside Hell on Heels Burlesque Dance Troupe and Murrugun the Mystic, a sword swallower and illusionist. In September 2006, The album and band were nominated for the San Diego Music Awards and Divided by Zero returned to San Diego for several theme shows, including "Sik World's Dirty Pirate's Ball" and "Sik World's Zombie Prom".Divided by Zero went on indefinite hiatus in 2007.
In 2008 Goode formed a new band with Albers and former members of the band Vocoder called The Secret Seven. Their debut album "Turn Your Back to the Sea" was released on July 24, 2010.
Rice now plays bass in My Elysian.
Ronstadt plays guitar in Authentic Sellout
Vick plays drums in Authentic Sellout
www.myspace.com/authenticsellout
Trivia
- Guitarist Jeremy Ronstadt is the first cousin of singer Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
.
- Singer Zachary Goode attended Saint Ann's performing art school in Brooklyn with future Academy Award Winner Jennifer ConnellyJennifer ConnellyJennifer Lynn Connelly is an American film actress, who began her career as a child model. She appeared in magazine, newspaper and television advertising, before making her motion picture debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America...
.
- The cover art for "The Black Sea" is taken from the painting "We Are The People" by renowned artist Sas Christian.
- The music video for "Chemical" was shot by Mark Racco who also directed "Lithium" for NirvanaNirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, "Don't Cry" for Guns N' RosesGuns N' RosesGuns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
and "Faith" for Limp BizkitLimp BizkitLimp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
.
Band members
- Zachary Goode - Lead vocals, Acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
- Jeremy Ronstadt - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals - James "Spooky" Albers - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals - RiceRiceRice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Jason Vick - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Albums
| Year | Title | Album | Other information | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 2003 in music -January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested... |
The Separation EP | Insomniac Records | CD | Recorded with Drummer Steven Moran. | Out of Print. |
| 2006 2006 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band.... |
The Black Sea | Sik World Records | CD | ||
External links
- http://www.dividedbyzero.tv
- http://www.myspace.com/dividedbyzero
- http://www.sikworld.com
Album reviews
- http://www.sikworld.com/store/DBZ/DBZ_MetalEdgeReview.jpg
- http://www.sikworld.com/store/DBZ/Outburn-review.jpg
- http://www.sikworld.com/store/DBZ/MetalHammer-DBZ-web.jpg