The Story: ASHES dIVIDE
An Interview with ASHES dIVIDE's Island Records Label Rep

Describe the band: Who are the band members/what do they each play What is their individual musical background?

ASHES dIVIDE is the brain child of one Billy Howerdel, guitarist, songwriter and founder of A PERFECT CIRCLE. ASHES is Billy's band through and through. He played all the instruments except for drums which were played by fellow APC alumni Josh Freese. On the last song of the album "Sword" Maynard, the singer for APC and Tool's, Son plays Cello. Billy is currently putting together his band for a tour in early May.

When did you first hear ASHES dIVIDE music? How did it make it to your hands? Did the internet play a roll?

I first heard about Billy from Arthur Spivak his manager. Arthur managed Tori Amos when I was at Atlantic Records.We had a blast breaking her and became good friends. Arthur called me last summer and asked me to listen to a four song demo from Billy. I FLIPPED OUT! I loved the songs, the melodies the entire feel of the music. It was not generic rock, yet it had amazing power.

What interested/excited you most about ASHES dIVIDE?

I've spent my entire career in the music business working with rock music. It is what I feel I know best. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the best and unfortunately some of the worst. Billy is extraordinary on all levels. He is a great songwriter and a true Artist. Yet he has incredible technical skill as a musician, producer and performer. It is rare to find all of these qualities in one Artist. Most times you're lucky if you have it in a band, yet alone one individual.

Buy ASHES dIVIDE's Debut CD, Keep Telling Myself It's Alright on iTunes
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What about ASHES dIVIDE has you passionate about working with them?

I think for many of the reasons I stated before, I'm personally excited and passionate about ASHES because I see how large a net we can cast with someone of Billy's talents. Rock music gets a bum rap for not being innovative, ground breaking or original anymore. Billy has the potential of breaking that stigma and being a future rock icon, someone that kids and adults can find inspiring. Someone who can bring back rock music that moves you emotionally beyond the boundaries of generic rock.

What artist would you say ASHES dIVIDE reminds you most of?

ASHES dIVIDE's music is timeless to me. Timeless rock has the greatest longevity. Personally, AD reminds me of bands like Pink Floyd, Smashing Pumpkins, Flaming Lips, NIN and The Cure but with a more pronounced rock back beat.

What track on the new album was the most difficult/fun/interesting/etc to record? Is there an interesting story related to the recording or writing of the track?

Billy self produced and recorded his record at his home in LA. I was not part of that process. He mixed the record via a ISDN like technology with Alan Moulder (Killers, Pumpkins fame) in England. What I always find interesting about getting music as the process unfolds is how the "single" sometimes doesn't show up til the very end. That was the case with ASHES. I had probably heard eight of the eleven songs on the album before I heard "The Stone". In the early stages, I had my heart set on "Enemies", another great track from the album. However, when Billy delivered "The Stone" it proved to really embody everything that was ASHES dIVIDE in one song.

Buy ASHES dIVIDE's Debut CD, Keep Telling Myself It's Alright on iTunes
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Who would you like to get ASHES dIVIDE in the studio with / do you have any interesting collaborations on the new album?

Billy was a guitar tech for a number of years when he was first getting into music. As a result of that, he has friendships with lots of established Artist's and has worked with many of them in a songwriting and studio performance capacity. On the album he worked some with Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde. He is also working with his good friend Danny Iohner, from NIN to create some potential remixes for the album. I think collaborations are a big part of who Billy is. Billy possesses that chameleon like quality similar to a David Bowie. I'm sure some of that will come out in the future with ASHES dIVIDE.

Describe ASHES dIVIDE in 10 words or less…

Passion that rocks with Eyes to see the future.

What can the world expect from ASHES dIVIDE?

With ASHES dIVIDE the music is only part of the picture. Billy has an extensive background in visual art design. He was a lighting director and has worked extensively in live music production. ASHES dIVIDE is going to be a performance piece as much as its going to be about the music. As ASHES popularity grows so will the levels at which Billy will dazzle audiences both musically and visually.

Buy ASHES dIVIDE's Debut CD, Keep Telling Myself It's Alright on iTunes