Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

A: Joe Turner/Vocals, Phil Zimny/Lead Guitar, Randy Krouse/Bass, Jake Wilson/Guitar, Mike Russell/Drums

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Divided We Stand? How long has the band been around?

A: Randy was in a few bands. Mortal Addict and Still Breathing. Jake was in Reign Like Rain, Prezzence, and Nuclear Symphony. Joe did a lot of busking and had a project called Average Joe. Phil was in Dead Sun Theory. We formed in 2010. It started with Mike and Phil writing some songs. They added some members and started to grow as a group. We went through a few guitar players. As you start to tour it really tries a person and you can tell who is dedicated pretty quick.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

A: When we were still in the beginning phases of building our band we had so many ideas for what we wanted our name to be and our sound. Someone said that we was divided and it just made sense, Divided We Stand on a lot of issues and it became our name

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

A: We are all capable writers and sometimes its hard to pick a direction or sound we are willing to pursue. Some of our songs have a poignant message and some have an obscure message. We always want unmitigated truth in our message and we want our songs to have deep emotions that the listener can feel without trying.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

A: We listen to bands to a wide range of music but we try not to take directly from any other artist. We try to stay completely original and base our music on deep emotions. Emotion is the key to great music.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

A: Jake had seen our band as his first concert and felt inspired to start a project. Recently he got the chance to join the very band that inspired him. Randy grew up around his fathers music and had always played in some kind of project. Phil and Mike had played for their church which taught them a lot about music. Joe started busking while in the military as he traveled and inspired him to do more with his talents later on.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

A: When we first get to a town we like to roam around and get some local food. Second, we grab some beers and meet some of the people. Third, we do some stretches and warm ups on our guitars. Lastly, we grab some more beers for the stage and write out our set list based on what the other bands sounded like and what the crowd looks like.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

A: Getting to open for amazing bands like Papa Roach, Nonpoint, Three Days Grace, and Hoobastank to name a few. Getting to record at award winning studios like Lake Side Studios which produces Dolly Parton and POD. Spider Studios which produces Chimera and Machine Gun Kelly. We Also won an Akademia award for best metal song in 2016

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

A: I think touring with legend bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin would have been amazing and such an honor. As far as current musicians i would say Killswitch Engage or Disturbed would be so awesome to tour with. I would think it would be a grand learning experience based on their talent level. Plus playing in an arena would be so intense. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We want to thank Kill The Music for this opportunity and congratulate them on having such a wonderful tool for unsigned artists. This kind of publication is what drives unknown artists further than they can imagine by giving them all a voice.