Oceans Divide

Chris McCoy - Vocals
Silas McQuain - Drums
John Goodman - Guitar and vocals
Eric Varnell - Guitar
Dan Goodman - Bass and vocals

“Every breath is mine to take/I wont slip away/After all Iʼve seen/Theres so much more to
believe” - “Barley Alive”

Like their name, Oceans Divide are a culmination of active rock energy and aggression and
modern alternative hooks, both melodic and heavy, their songs of personal struggle, love, life,
and hope are anthems for a new generation looking for something more than the promise of
becoming the beneficiary of their parents mistakes.

Their self titled debut record, was produced by RED songwriter/guitarist Jason Rauch and was
mixed by Brian Virtue (Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, My Chemical Romance, Cavo). The album
is a refreshing blast of melodic hard/alternative rock, drawing deep from the bandʼs personal
experiences. With the song, “See What I See,” lifting off from an infectious guitar riff into a
blistering song with emotional lyrics in which lead vocalist/front man Chris McCoy belts, “Watch
the world with bloodshot eyes/maybe then ill see what you see/A cold embrace that sucks you
dry/leaving you so sick and empty.” Just one listen is all it takes to realize that this band is the
real deal. “Lyrically I came at this with my uncle in mind” States McCoy. “He passed away
several years ago.  The family watched him slowly kill himself through alcohol and it was a hard
truth to deal with because he didnʼt want to be helped.”

Take the aggressive riffs of active rock, add it to the story-telling of a modern day poet and the
hooks and melody of what makes a song so infectious it stays stuck in your head for days and
you begin to understand Oceans Divide.

Oceans Divide was founded by McCoy and guitarist Eric Varnell in Spokane, WA. The music
scene in Spokane was predominantly metal and dirty rock, and the yearning to form a band that
sonically differentiated and creatively stood out from the local scene was a passion shared
between the two when discussed after their former bands played a show together. Seeing the
opportunity after their consensus, they started the search to find the missing links to the
equation that is currently known as Oceans Divide.

Their hunt started with finding a drummer who had the skill and technique to fill the spot, but that
also had the same drive and desire to push the envelope creatively. There were many
possibilities but only one fit the profile; Silas McQuain. When discussed with the prospect of
forming a new band, McQuain united with McCoy and Varnell and the ideas that had initially
been discussed started to become a reality.

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After the recruitment of McQuain, the band began the final search for another guitar player and
bass player. At the time of their search, Dan (bass) and John (guitar) Goodman, of a popular
Spokane band, were in a similar rut that McCoy and Varnell had initially discussed before the
bands inception. They wanted a new sound that differed from their usual heavy metal twin lead
solos, literally. When word caught wind that the Goodman brothers musical direction had
changed to that of McCoy, Varnell, and McQuain, they were approached by the trio with the
same passion, creativity, and drive which has now been translated into the music of Oceans
Divide.

“My influences are far and wide” confesses guitarist John Goodman. “I love all music and it is
the one thing that I really care about. Without it I am lost. I grew up with a lot of country, jazz,
blues, rock, classical, funk, etc… You name it, I listen to it and if I can take it and use it in my
band I will.”

Equally at home in the studio as on the stage, Oceans Divide has a commitment and passion to
the music they create that simply canʼt be fabricated. In a very short time, Oceans Divide has
gained an allegiance of die-hard fans that usually takes years to accomplish, by embracing the
new technology of social networking and taking the old school, yet admiral approach of playing
live shows and winning fans over one by one. “I love live performance” states McQuain. “I have
always spoke the best words I can behind a drum kit.  I just hope that friends/fans see a live
show and have a great time.  If they think we killed it, then that is a bonus too.” “Live shows are
extremely important to me” adds Varnell. “It’s when a listener really gets to connect to the
person theyʼre listening to. It’s one thing to listen to an album in your car but, it’s a whole other
to have that person right in your face. I think an amazing live show can ultimately decide what
makes a good band truly great.”

“The great thing about this group is everyone writes, so it’s a rare thing when someone doesn’t
have an idea” states Varnell who cities his main goal in songwriting is to leave the same
impression on the listener that his influences left on him. “We all have Pro Tools rigs, so typically
someone will come in with an idea and we’ll just build on it and see where it goes. When I’m in
the process of writing a song, typically it’ll begin with something I’ve hummed to myself or from
something I’ve heard that has inspired me. Figuring out what kind of song and the mood I
wanna set is where I’ll start and then I’ll figure out a melody that seems to best capture that
mood.” “I keep on hearing people say that the best songs they have ever written came from this
illusive thing called ʻin the moment inspirationʼ adds guitarist Goodman. “Writing isnʼt about
waiting for something to come to you, itʼs about you going to ʻitʼ. ʻItʼ is the thing that makes a
song an undeniably great track. ʻItʼ is what gives the listeners that mental stimulation that leaves
them wanting more. ʻItʼ is what every song should have. Once you understand what the ʻitʼ factor
means, you can understand how to write something that will have an impact.”

“Although weʼre a young band, weʼve all known each other for years” says McCoy. The
chemistry is great and we all have the same goals musically. This band just feels right.”

With their debut record dropping in spring 2011, Oceans Divide bring the goods.

UNION ENTERTAINMENT GROUP: 209 10th Avenue S. Suite 144 Nashville, TN 37203 (615)465-3751