Dive is one of those rock bands that has always been thisclose to shooting straight to the top from the start. The New Jersey based quartet consisting of Jonny Dive (vocals/guitar), Will Lewis (guitar), Will Ferguson (drums) and Joey Tone (bass) are literally on the verge of turning themselves into a household name as their single “Fall Away” from their latest release Picture Perfect is starting to gain traction with fans and with a national tour with fellow East Coast rockers Blameshift kicking off this week, it appears that this young band’s best years are still to come.
RockRevolt™ caught up with front man Jonny Dive to find out how the band got to where they are today, as well as the lowdown on what went into their latest recording, what influences play into their high-energy melodic modern hard rock sound and what fuels the band as it moves forward.
Interview with Jonny Dive:
Rick/RR: Jonny, thank you for checking in with RockRevolt™ Magazine.
Jonny/Dive: Not a problem! Thanks so much for having me!
Rick/RR: Let’s get to it……..how did Dive first come together?
Jonny/Dive: I started Dive over eight years ago just writing and recording songs in my basement. It started to grow from there and I soon left my basement to play local shows in the area.
Rick/RR: You are currently supporting your latest album; Picture Perfect, a 12-song collection of great melodic guitar driven rock songs. There are so many guilty pleasures here to name them all, but songs like; “Was It Worth It”, “Fall Away” and “Last Call Romance” are hard rocking numbers filled with big time hooks, riffs and mesmerizing choruses that are so infectious they get stuck in your head for days.
Jonny/Dive: Well thank you! We recorded Picture Perfect at 4th Street Recording in Santa Monica, CA. It was really an amazing experience for us. Just being in that environment was a huge motivation for us and really helped us with the writing process.
Rick/RR: You worked with producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, No Doubt, Live) on the project. How did this collaboration come about and what did he bring to the table in terms of the final results found on Picture Perfect?
Jonny/Dive: We actually just dropped Jim an email and he replied within 10 minutes saying he would love to do the album. He really thinks outside the box and he is just a great guy all around!
Rick/RR: How much does knowing you will be playing the songs live, factor into the song writing process?
Jonny/Dive: It does factor in, but not much in the beginning. I write for myself and to help me get through things in my life. If the end result can draw people in and have them relate then that is a huge bonus.
Rick/RR: Who are some of the band’s main musical influences that played a role in the band’s overall musical direction?
Jonny/Dive: That is a tough one. We all listen to different music. Growing up I was a huge Zeppelin fan. I also grew up on everything from Billy Joel to Guns N Roses.
Rick/RR: When did you first start to sing yourself? Do you remember when you decided that was what you wanted to pursue?
Jonny/Dive: I started singing when I was about four. I performed in a bunch of musicals and took it from there. I put that on the back-burner to play drums. I was a drummer for 15 years until I realized I would much rather step out in front and sing. It was the best choice I have ever made!
Rick/RR: You are getting set to play these songs nationally as you prepare for the “Fortune and Flames Tour” with Blameshift starting this month. Talk about the tour and what fans can expect.
Jonny/Dive: This is going to be a killer tour. Blameshift is an amazing band and they have become some of our closest friends. Their music is amazing and their personalities show on stage. I honestly cannot wait for this tour and I really hope the fans are just as excited as we are to be doing this. It kicks off October 25th at Gunners Run in Philadelphia!
Rick/RR: Fans might not realize, but you’ve played with some pretty well known artists in some historic venues already.
Jonny/Dive: We have. We have really been lucky with some of the shows we have gotten to play. We were the first band to open the new Metlife Stadium in New Jersey with Bon Jovi and Train. We have also performed with Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Three Days Grace, Fuel, Halestorm, Trapt, My Darkest Days, Sum 41, Skillet, Cold, Trust Company, Hinder, Creed, Saving Abel and many more.
Rick/RR: When do you expect to get back in the studio again?
Jonny/Dive: We are recording new demos as we get ready for this tour. Hopefully we will start recording the new album early 2013. We are planning to release a new single in the next few months. I think everyone is really going to dig the new music. We are really pumped with how it is coming out!
Rick/RR: Jonny, thank you for your time today. What is the best way for fans to get in contact with you and pick up your music?
Jonny/Dive: Our website, Facebook and following us on Twitter is the best way to keep up to date with everything Dive! Our music is just about everywhere that sells music online, but iTunes has the whole Dive discography for sure. Thank you again for talking with me!
Story & Interview by Rick Lindner, Journalist – RockRevolt™Magazine
Watch the official DIVE lyric video for “Was It Worth It”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FheXtnaFtU4&feature=youtu.be]
