Divided Heaven frontman Jeff Berman is a longtime friend of the site, first working with us on a Stripped Down Session in 2012. Since then, the singer/songwriter has toured through Vegas multiple times, signed to Say-10 Records and later this month, he’s releasing his sophomore album “Youngblood.” The album will be available at the release show at The Dive on March 21 and in anticipation of it, Berman talked to us via email about the record, his love for Vegas, his feelings about the Heart Attack Grill, Punk Rock Bowling, and more, and we have a the world premiere of ‘Youngblood’ track “Ego and Nothing More.”
Hi Jeff! Always a pleasure to talk to you. So if I understand correctly, you were originally based out of Lancaster, PA but are now based out of Los Angeles. Why the change?
Yes. I was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and I actually haven’t lived in PA since 2000. College in DC, four years in New York City and I’ve been in LA for almost six years.
I’ve always been attracted to the West Coast. Moving to LA to play music wasn’t my intention. In 2008 the time felt right to move out West, away from NYC–which is a rather daunting task in itself–and simply relocate to LA.
Additionally, I have family history out here too. In the early 1930’s my grandfather moved here from Chicago and eventually sold some furs (back when this was fashionable and not faux-pas) to a young beautiful up-and-coming actress that would become my grandmother. The building where they met is still on Sunset Blvd. and that piece of my ancestry led me here too.
So many bands skip Vegas completely while on tour, but you always make an extra effort to play here (an effort that is appreciated). And now you have your record release show scheduled in Vegas, March 21 at the Dive. What is it about Vegas that you like so much? What are other artists missing by skipping us? Is it the Heart Attack Grill?
Ha, no. The Heart Attack Grill is all hype, I’ve concluded. Although, sharing that experience with you was really fun. I’ll stick my Double-Doubles, thank you very much.
I used to hate Vegas. Hate it. When I came out here for Punk Rock Bowling in 2011 and saw Fremont St., the old-West feel of downtown, and made some real friends, I made a complete 180 degree turn on Vegas. I learned that Vegas isn’t the “Strip-Vegas,” if you will.
Plus, I like playing shows. I like traveling to cities to play shows just like I’ve done all my life. On the East Coast a four-hour drive will get you far whereas out here…not so much. But I can get to Vegas in four hours so I’ve made it a point to play there 4-5 times a year. And it has become a great spot for me to play. I frequently encourage bands I know to tour through Las Vegas. Why they don’t? I dunno.
You did a tour with Vegas folk/punk artist No Red Alice (Sal Giordano, also of TheCore.) and you’ve got some dates lined up with Bobby Meader, another Vegas folk/punk musician. How was the tour with Sal and what makes you look to Vegas for tour buddies? Any musicians out here you’d like to tour with that you haven’t yet?
Sal is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. So naturally I wanted to tour with him. He is a great and helpful friend. I find myself going to him for advice regularly. Bobby is a sweetheart determined to tour hard and maintain longevity which are traits I carry as well. We are touring together in May and I’m excited.
I end up touring with Vegas musicians because they’re great and dedicated. Jesse Pino, Mercy Music, TheCore….I hope to share the road with them as well soon.
I see you have another date scheduled in Vegas pretty close to Punk Rock Bowling. Are you planning on staying for PRB again this year? What bands and club shows are you stoked on?
I am planning on attending PRB this year, it’s my favorite weekend of the year and my favorite music festival (shhhhh, don’t tell Tony from The FEST I said that).
Very much looking forward to ALL, Anti-Nowhere League and the almighty Cock Sparrer.
Back to the new album, when I think of the term Youngblood the first thing that comes to my mind is that Rob Liefield comic from the 90s because… I’m a huge nerd. But I doubt you were inspired by the big guns and misplaced muscles of that series, so what does the name evoke for you?
Youngblood is me. It’s my understanding of where I am in my life. It’s the 32-year-old man looking in the mirror and seeing the 17-year-old kid staring back and feeling comfortable and justified. It’s me wrestling… with death and mourning, with my perceptions of success, with expectations of others, with love and love lost.
I named the record Youngblood because this Divided Heaven experience is an endeavor. It is the drive to continue doing this that keeps me young and inspired.
I’m used to Divided Heaven being just you, from the live show. Why the decision to go full band on the record? Who are your bandmates and will you be touring with a full band for this record?
It was a natural evolution to the full-band, I always wanted to do it. My producer Charlie Stavish and I wanted to make a dynamic record that–most importantly–would be very different from A Rival City (the first DH album) and also serve as a tactful transition from solo singer-songwriter to front-man kicking ass with a band. There are tons of people who really love solo singer-songwriters and aren’t as into them when they branch out into full-band territory. I was sensitive to that fact. We wanted to exceed listener’s expectations of what to expect from a Divided Heaven record without going too far.
My bandmates are a roster of wonderful folks from all over the US and Canada, some were on the record, others have already completed tours with me. It will be a revolving collection of them while we tour in support of Youngblood over the next couple of years. Most of the time it will be my LA crew of Ben Rauscher and Nic Morreale. Other DH players include Brian Forst and Kyle MacDougal (from Protagonist), Barty Breton and Chris Accursi (from the SNIPS), Nick Nobel (Teen Agers) and so on.
Acoustic-based punk has been a big thing the last few years – Chuck Ragan, Sundowner, Tim Barry and all. Were you influenced by these guys when starting Divided Heaven? What are some of your non-punk influences?
Yes I was influenced by them and others but not necessarily because they picked up an acoustic and started singing. Tim Barry and Avail changed my life. I saw Avail at the ripe age of 13 and it was a pivotal moment. Still to this day the best live band I’ve ever seen…and I miss them. Tim influenced me by his songwriting and his touring regiment. Even now as a solo artist he’s a road-warrior.
I am touring as much as possible because I believe in what I’m singing about, I need to share these songs with people, I have to see how far this takes me, not for fame or glory or Twitter followers or hype but because simply… this is me. I’m drawn to artists that are themselves. I am influenced by their work and their accomplishments. Their hard work and years of navigation isn’t lost on me, it’s recognized, and in turn I work hard and make the most of Divided Heaven.
I saw that Stephen Egerton of Descendents and ALL played drums, bass and guitars on “Melissa Militia.” How did that come about and what was it like working with a legend like Egerton? (and does this mean you can hook me up with a Descendents Stripped Down Session haha)
Stephen recorded Protagonist and produced their States EP. My manager suggested I record with him when I toured through Oklahoma and put us in touch. He and I recorded three songs together in Tulsa. He was really fun to work with and craft songs with. He is very nice and a class act that brought out the best in me and was my backing band for a few days. I hope to record with him again soon. Technically, he was my first Divided Heaven band member, haha. Let’s see if that finds its way to Wikipedia.
I see that you studied broadcast journalism while spending time in Protagonist, The Boils and VPR. Can we expect the Jeff Berman news hour anytime soon? Seriously, though, how has your education helped with your music career? Do you feel more in tune with the music press you work with or does it make you more prone to nitpick issues you see with the many music sites? What music sites are on your “check at least once daily” list? And do you plan on focusing more on journalism at some point?
That is a great question. I absolutely feel like my education helped with my music career. I graduated from a great college (American University) and I am proud of that. My education and experience there broadened my horizons intellectually, politically and socially which in turn influenced my songwriting.
Although, like most college graduates, I did not follow through into the workforce with my degree directly. News culture generally displeases me and I find it unhelpful at times, disorienting at other times and often to be the puppetry of public relations firms spinning the truth to fit a story. Therefore, I opted out of journalism and into the world of cheese (long story) and music. Chances are my journalism days are behind me.
But because I am a glutton for punishment, I do follow the news. In the music world I am a news junkie and can’t live without my daily dose of PunkNews.org, AbsolutePunk.net, Property of Zack, Dying Scene, New Noise Magazine etc. but that serves the purpose of entertainment for me. I like to see what my friends and favorite bands are up to and what’s new. I use these sites strictly in a supportive manner. The pseudo-intellectual commentary that accompanies them (we all know what I’m referring to) is pathetic and offers no value.
You also have a band HeartRacers. What’s going on with that project? How do you decide what songs go to that project and what songs stay with Divided Heaven?
Generally, I try to avoid crossover between Divided Heaven and HeartRacers songs. Inevitably there has been some. My manager really wanted me to record the HeartRacers song “Gin” for the new DH album and I am glad he pushed for it because it really hits home with the themes of the record and me personally. I think it is the best song I’ve ever written.
I try and keep it simple: If a song has a driving energy that carries a certain momentum it ends up in the HeartRacers column, otherwise it goes to the Divided Heaven column.
HeartRacers is recording a new album now, we’re taking our time and it will be out in summer. We are excited for it. Right now, the focus is on Divided Heaven.
Thanks, Jeff! Divided Heaven’s Youngblood will be available on March 25 via Say-10 Records, and you can preorder it here. If you’re in Vegas, pick it up a few days early at the March 21 release show at The Dive with Joey Briggs, Jack Evan Johnson, Alex and His Meal Ticket and Bobby Meader Music. You can get more info on that show here.
Divided Heaven photos by Emily Matview and Tyler Newon
One Comment