Arts & Entertainment Connexions

Question: What do you get when you mix passion, positive reinforcement, solid lyrics, soaring rhythms, heavy rock and neck strain from saying “whoah, I like that”? You get
TRUST DIVIDED. I’m talking about the newest band from Louisville (or Jeffersonville, IN more appropriately.) Before I get to the review of their awesomeness at their live performance where they opened for music legends Nonpoint and Cold let’s get a little inside info on this talented group of rockers, shall we?

TRUST DIVIDED is comprised of a group of experienced and serious minded musicians, two of which met through the U.S. Coast Guard in Louisville. Knowing that it takes hard work and dedication TRUST DIVIDED set a course that has picked up a quick, steady pace that resonates well with the public and seasoned bands such as REV THEORY. So much so, in fact, they quickly scored a gig where they get to open up for them. In just four months they have recorded five songs in a respected, high quality studio, garnered a wealth of positive feedback and easily have booked many concerts.

What is extra cool about Bradford and David is the fact that they are in active duty. “Due to The Military we find ourselfs having to transfer every three to four years, which makes this even more of a challenge for our band,” says David. “Our goal was to come out very professional with a good sound that we hope people enjoy listening to.”

I, personally, find that remarkable and inspiring. I’ve listened to four of their songs and agree that TRUST DIVIDED has a powerful sound with positive lyrics. But to see them in action is a real treat.

What adds even more flair to their dedication is the fact that all of the members are married, getting married, have children, and have children on the way. David says, “When we put a song together we always keep that in mind because we want our children to be able to listen to our music. We dont have as much time as most other bands so we are doing everything we can in the little time that we do have. “

Isn’t it cool to see this kind of heart and determination with talent to boot? I think so. Therefore, I pulled out my unique list of interview questions and had them get to it. Bur first, here’s my review on their live performance at Phoenix Hill Tavern in Louisville, KY where they opened for Nonpoint and cold on 2/25/2010…

Boy, have I got a story to tell you. You might recall my article on Trust Divided, a local band from Jeffersonville, Indiana making some noise in the Ville. These guys are a blast to listen to live. They somehow managed to score an opening gig for National Acts Nonpoint and Cold in probably not even 6 months of dedication to their craft and belief in their talent.
Not only does David hang with the best of entertaining with his sweat inducing drumming, lead singer Bradford pours out emotion and stage presence with lyrics that, if you recall, have powerful messages. Sprinkle deep cutting guitar riffs and sweltering leads by Jamie and Chad and mix it with the rumbling bass skills of Bryan and check your pants when the show is over!!!
Not only could these boys compete and provide a spectacular, much deserved opening for two very well known acts they also offered a very warm, positive feeling with their humble nature as individuals who are very grateful for smiling faces, positive atmosphere and blistering music. If you’ve never been to their site to check out their smokin’ sound head now at myspace.com/TrustDivided.
Thanks guys for living up to your potential, it was an awesome treat!
-Hit Man

Now on to the interview!

TRUST DIVIDED, you’ve been marked.

Hit Man: What made you choose the name Trust Divided?

Trust Divided: Individually, we all have reasons for the name, but as a whole, we selected the name because of how much we base our music on trust. After a few months of playing together, we realized the effort and reliability each individual put towards this band. And trust me; it takes a ton of hard work and dedication when you’re involved in music. Each of us plays a vital role in creating our music, so we chose the name in resemblance of dividing that trust equally amongst each other, our families, and God. None of us can do this on our own. That is why we put a big emphasis on trusting each other, God, and those who support us to give us the strength to pursue not only a career but a dream in playing music.

HM Being part of the Coast Guard is awesome and I want to thank you for serving our country and helping those in need. Is pursuing a musical career something that spawned early on or did it happen during your active duty?

TD For Bradford and David, they both agreed it was an interest of theirs way before they even decided to join the Coast Guard. David describes that since he can remember, he had a passion for music due to the impact his father had on him. Charles Payne was a professional drummer for 50 years and for a few of those years, David was a roadie for him and was inspired from there on. Bradford was always involved in singing in the choir throughout high school, but was never really inspired to pursue a career in music until his senior year when he learned how to play guitar and joined his first band.

HM I totally believe in music as two major identities. One: it is a great way to express feelings whether good, bad, love, hate, etc. Two: Lyrics are often times the most important instrument in a song. You believe in this theory. What ways do you hope your lyrics will influence people?

TD We definitely believe that lyrics play a key role in each song, but we don’t believe they make a song. Everyone in this band agreed that in order to create/write great music each instrument is equally important, because each instrument compliments one another. However, we believe that lyrics can be the deciding factor on whether that person is drawn to our music or pushed away, which leads right into answering the second question. There’s a hope that lyrics will give people a since of good and pride about themselves, an inspiration if you will. We base our lyrics on biblical principles, and by doing that, we want to provide to those listening a sense that there is hope in this world. A hope that encourages and gives them faith to believe they have a purpose-driven life. We want to be that spark that lifts people up and inspires them to live a Godly life.

HM Have you ever actually tried to divide trust?

TD Basically, with this question you have divided us all, so now you’ve been marked …haha. We’re just kidding, but seriously, yes, in the past we have, and for each of us it never turned out good.

HM What’s one thing you would never trust?

TD Well, we each of us had our own, so we figured we would write down a few: Temptations of this world, public restrooms, rotten tomatoes, Satan, and a flat tire because it won’t fill up with air.

HM What is one of the coolest experiences you’ve had so far in life with music?

TD This differs for all of us, so I will list them individually.

David: Being able to see his father play with a variety of professional acts and the opportunity to play with Rev Theory.

Jamie: Gaining support from his loving wife, getting lessons from his mentor Jeff Guernsey, and meeting Joe Satriani.

Bryan: Cherishes every chance he gets to play.

Bradford: Meeting Ben Burnley from Breaking Benjamin, Jon Sumrall from Kutless, and basically just having the opportunity to perform on stage and influence others with music..

HM Your success is happening faster than anyone I’ve met so far in the local scene. Do you think this has something to do with having no interest in the women, drugs, alcohol, etc.? What I mean is, looking at music as fun is number one but having a mental focus directed towards business instead of mostly pleasure seems to a better idea. Am I close to right?

TD Yes, as we mentioned before, we all are married or going to be married and have families. This has a big impact on how we live our lives and how we present ourselves as musicians. We place God and family first before everything else and we don’t want anything to hinder that relationship with either one. Don’t get me wrong, we love to have fun and some of us do drink, but we all have seen or been apart of bands where the drugs and alcohol ruin the music. All we can say is, it is awesome to know that each member has his priorities straight and is willing to put time in the business side of things. The more dedicated we are, the more it will be worth it in the end.

HM As fast as possible, list a few things that rhymes with trust.

TD bust, crust, must, lust

HM Now do the same for divided.

TD provided, delighted, collided, misguided, confided

HM Was that odd or what?

TD Well, for some of us it was, but for others it was very entertaining.

HM What song in your repertoire means the most to you and why?

TD This question also is different amongst us.

Bryan – Loves all of them…. lame.
Jamie – Autumn Falls – The passion this song puts forward in all aspects of the music and the lyrics, of course, I wrote this song while my wife was with me and that had a huge impact on me for this tune as well.

David – Autumn Falls because he knows that if that was his wife he would be willing to give up his life just to see her again.

Bradford – Cleansed because this relates to how miserable our lives can be when we try to handle everything ourselves whether it be struggles, temptations, etc. It is a song that is really about finding the Savior who gives us that hope and encourages us to lead a great life even though we struggle day to day.

HM What are some of your biggest influences as far as bands, singers, etc.?

TD There are a variety of influences, so here we go: Danny Carey, Jeff Guernsey, Charles Payne, Neil Peart, Zakk Wylde, Kirk Hammett, Jim Morrison, Dimebag Darrel, Creed, Breaking Benjamin, Demon Hunter, Rob Zombie, Chevelle, Brandon Boyd, Alter Bridge

HM Which band would you like to slap someone for saying you sounded like?

TD Slipknot, Chris Daughtery and Foreigner

HM Ok, here’s where I let people know where to go to get more information on Trust Divided and where they can hear your music. Plug away!

TD Our music can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/trustdividedmusic,
our facebook page

here,
and at
www.ilike.com and search for Trust Divided.

HM Now, final question. If a boat was sinking while you were playing and there was no way you could get out, what song would you play of your own or someone else’s and do you think you would miss soft drinks as a spirit?

TD The Doors – Riders on the Storm or Cleansed so hopefully God will lift the boat high above the water. Yes, would definitely miss soft drinks….gotta have my Dew!

HM Thanks alot guys! I almost broke wind laughing so hard at some of the answers. It was fun and a pleasure. I look forward to all the noise you make in Louisville until the government pulls you away! Now readers, treat yourself to one of their awesome youtube videos.

AUTUMN FALLS