Interviews: Divine Regale

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band, Divine Regale, from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.    Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it or just come out like that?

Chris: I'm pretty sure I came up with the name somewhere around 1989. How or what it means, I don't remember. I think it was just, hey, that sounds cool, let's go with it!

Gary: I remember thinking it was a nice combination of the songs Anarchy Divine(FATES WARNING) and Neue Regel (QUEENSRYCHE).

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Many common influences. Growing up listening to bands like FATES WARNING, QUEENSRYCHE, and then DREAM THEATER, MARILLION. Bands that are expressive, challenging, interesting in arrangement/instrumentation, and less predictable. Then there’s the odd timing, intricate transitions, and not-so-ordinary workings of progressive music. It inspired us to try and put our own spin on the progressive genre.

3.    Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Chris: Gary and I met in 3rd grade. He had an OZZY hat, and I had a KISS lunchbox. That was the starting point. We met Dwight at one of our first shows and hit it off immediately; we had a lot in common musically. We knew Jay from school, and adding keyboards took us to another level. Frank joined the band shortly after the release of our EP Horizons. James filled in for bass with us when we opened for DREAM THEATER in 1993 and has been with us since 2015.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Chris: KISS. I heard them when I was 5, and then I saw what they looked like. Rock ‘n Roll superheroes. I was hooked.

Gary: KISS will always be my favorite band because they were my first.

Dwight: Hard to give a favorite. How about favorites at the moment? LEPROUS, BIG WRECK, CITY AND COLOR, FATES WARNING are always there. Anything DUG PINNICK or COREY GLOVER is doing. There are a lot of great bands out there from different genres, but they all tend to have singers that I really enjoy listening to and singing along with.

Jay: I can’t say that I have a favorite band. There are a lot of albums I love, but I feel like to call a band your “favorite” you need to have an in-depth knowledge of their catalog/story, be ready to buy the next album the day it comes out, go see them on tour, etc. I can’t really think of one single band that ticks all those boxes for me.

Frank: RUSH

James: KINGS X

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Chris: Usually it's an idea. It may be a riff that Gary comes up with, or something Jay has. Sometimes, Dwight has a lyric or a concept. Once there is a seed, that becomes the spark, and from there it's like trying to solve a puzzle.

Gary: I love sitting in a room with the other guys and working together on a new idea. It’s very exciting to start with nothing and end up with a new song idea by the end of a practice.

Dwight: Lyrically, personal experiences and interactions get me writing. I’m not very good at inventing scenarios.

Jay: For general inspiration, it’s sitting at the keyboard, seeing what happens to come out, and where I can take it from there. From a band perspective, I enjoy the challenge of trying to work off other parts and finding something that creates a cohesive whole.

Frank: In the context of DR, I tend to be inspired most by my bandmates. We’re a six piece, so there’s always keys, one or two (or more) guitar parts, one or two vocal parts, etc., happening at any given time, so I try my best to asses whoever’s instrument is the focal point in a particular section of a song and do whatever I can to support that in the best way possible, to the extent I’m capable. Sometimes that means playing really sparsely down low, way underneath everything. Other times, it may make the most sense to double the guitars. If Jay’s left hand is playing down in the bass register (keys), I may need to double it, or maybe even find an interesting melody that is pitched above it that outlines the chords and ties in with Chris’s kick at the same time. Sometimes there may be a vocal part that I want to respond to (like an echo) if there’s space for it. As long as it makes the song better, I try to be open to anything, really.

James: Life experiences and my kids.

6. Where was your last gig?

Last gig it has been quite some time ago. We prefer to focus on quality over quantity and ideally get on a bill with a well-known headliner in a similar genre. Our last DR shows were opening for EVERGREY in Manchester, NH, and FATES WARNING just outside of Boston, MA, in 2017.

7. Where would you like to perform?

When Ocean Mind came out, we were disappointed that we never made it to Europe, where the album was doing the best. We’d love to play a bigger festival like Wacken or Prog Power here in the States. Ultimately, we’re psyched to perform wherever we can best bring our music to fans/potential new fans.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Any band in a similar genre.

9. Whom not?

At this point, we need to make smart decisions on what to do and not do in a live setting. We all have careers and families that are our first priority.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Chris: I actually do, which is odd, seeing that I have been playing on stage most of my life. For me, I have found it's all in the preparation. Good night sleep, less caffeine helps, no alcohol, and then I spend time in prayer. That's what has worked for me these days.

Gary: I am always a little nervous before playing a show, but I believe that’s normal. I think that being a little nervous helps me concentrate and hopefully play better.

Dwight: One of the first gigs I ever had as a teen. We were just about to go on, and I was panicking inside. I could have fled right there. But I talked myself out of it. Told myself to get out there, took a deep breath, and jumped in. I think the nervousness is always there to start, but it’s just because you want to do well for your band and the audience.

Jay: Many times, I have been nervous before playing. My first piano teacher always said: Being nervous is normal and it’s not a bad thing. That’s why you practice, so you can still get up there and perform.

Frank: I haven’t personally had a problem with it, and I’m thankful for that. 

James: Never really had/have stage fright.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Chris: Oh man, the list is long. The big ones? KISS, BEATLES, QUEENSRYCHE, FATES WARNING, DREAM THEATER, MARILLION.

Gary: OZZY (with RANDY RHOADS), KISS, FATES WARNING, QUEENSRYCHE, DREAM THEATER.

Dwight: This is almost like a favorite band. Different bands and genres inspire in different ways. But vocally: DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE, and FATES WARNING definitely provided me some good direction.

Jay: For bands that inspired my playing in DR: DREAM THEATER, FATES WARNING, KANSAS, YES, FAITH NO MORE, QUEENSRYCHE.

Frank: RUSH, PINK FLOYD, KANSAS, YES, KING CRIMSON, MARILLION, QUEENSRYCHE, FATES WARNING.

James: BEATLES, VAN HALEN, KINGS X, QUEENSRYCHE

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

An autograph. It still surprises us that someone would like us enough to want one. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

They’re awesome! After being out of the picture for as long as we have, we really appreciate that people are still excited about the band and hearing our music.

14. What do you think of our site?

Excited to work with you!

15. Something to add?

We are excited to start this new partnership with M-Theory Audio and have an outlet to release music again. We can’t wait for people to hear the new album, Ghost In Every Room, coming out soon!