News

Barnaby

Twitter: @BarnabyCourtney

Singer

 

Dan Scotty

Twitter: @DanScotty

Bass, keys and Sings a bit

 

Sam Battle

Twitter: @sammybattle

Guitar and Gameboy sings a bit 

Ben

Twitter: @benjamineverest

Drums and sings a bit more! 
 
 

Barnaby, thanks for taking this time out of your busy schedule to chat with us, we appreciate it. Seeing as you’re the first of the group to interview, tell us how Dive Bella Dive got together! 

I met Dan on a show called Orange Unsigned Act [like American idol-esq contest for bands] I remember in the early days, we were staying in our manager's hotel. Dan and I had consumed all the mini boos from the mini bar. About ten minuets later, we were sprawled out in the lobby in a pair of bathrobes and I thought. ‘this is it, this is the guy I need to make music with.’

 

We found Sam on www.buttersocial.com. He was a solo artist at the time. I was aimlessly clicking through and stumbled across his profile. He'd photoshopped himself stroking a Pikachu in his profile pic so I knew he had to be special. When I heard his music I was blown away. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard before. Dan and I literally danced around to his tunes for a full 20 minuets before we had the presence of mind to contact him. 

 

Speaking of Pikachu, we’ve seen you with a Pokemon ball on your neck, what’s that about!?

[My Pokemon necklace] is just another opportunity to be creative. Whenever I see something that I like, I naturally want to decorate myself with it, regardless of whether it matches what I'm wearing. 

 

Well it’s definitely original! So after you figured out you couldn’t make a living as a Pokemon Master, what made you choose music? 

I actually always wanted to be an actor when I was a little kid. I just always loved making a complete fool of myself in front of large groups of people. I was 15 years old when I got into music. I’m still the same nerdy kid, the only difference is everyone has to pretend I’m cool because I’m in a band…well I hope that's the way it works. 

 

What is your greatest talent besides music?

I can move my scalp without touching it *Barnaby impressively shifts his hair up and down*

 

Impressive. So, Dive Bella Dive, what’s in the name?

At first none of us could agree on a name. I wanted to call it ‘Stars and Garters’, which is a pub that Lord Byron killed his cousin in. Another name was That Dragon Thing after that dragon thing from The Never Ending Story [movie]. Eventually we settled on Dive Bella Dive. We just liked the way it sounded aesthetically. Dive Bella (beautiful) Dive.  

How would you describe Dive Bella Dive’s music?

It’s a spectrum from really-Punk Rock like The Clash to really synth-oriented dance music like Lady Gaga.

 

Have you been playing the same genre of music your whole life? No, I use to be into classic rock… like Queen and Guns N Roses. Night At The Opera by Queen is still one of my favourite albums of all time. 

What can people expect to see when DBD puts on live performances?

We want to make it theatrical with sets and performers. I strongly believe that when people go to see a live band, they go to see a physical performance. You can listen to music at home, but you can’t experience being there so I want to put on a show. I hope that when people watch us they will see that we are having fun and we can feed off the crowd's energy and vice versa. 

What instrument do you play?

I'm a singer. I can play a little guitar, piano and harmonica. 

What are your songs about?

Whatever is in our heads at the time. 70's Russian icons, Neal Cassady, cowboys, haha whatever!  

What was your most embarrassing moment?

When I was 16, I went to a party where I was given a wedgie of epic proportions. My boxers were pulled above and beyond my head to the point that I was suspended in the air. At this point several other people joined in and a tug of war ensued. It was a powerful moment for everyone involved.  

What is your wildest story with the group?

Ah! twas the eve of my birth, the band and I were in my manager's hotel room with little to amuse ourselves. Naturally I sought to make a memory of the night and so, like many others before me, I began with alcohol. At the height of inebriation, I relieved myself in a kettle and set it to boil. The result being a steaming hot cup of mine own creation that, in a vain attempt to make my birthday somewhat memorable, I asked Sam to drink. He flatly refused and after much further "encouragement", angrily knocked the potent beverage all over my tender undercarrige. It was then, that we reached the point of no return. Fate had decided that we were to have a full blown boiled piss fight. I quickly fetched the kettle and doused Sam with as much of the foul liquid as I could. Sam retaliated with the remnants of his cup which in turn splashed Dan who, stealing my kettle poured over the both of us. It was not until the end of our battle that we realised we had not only soaked ourselves, but our suitcases too. The three of us walked into our first meeting with Island Records the next day, reeking of the birthday celebration that never was…but mostly piss. 

If you could perform with any artist live who would it be?

Freddy Mercury, Steven Tyler, and Mick Jagger. I would fuse all three artists into one and make the show last six months. 

What do you like to do for fun?

Gigs! This is what I used to do in my spare time! I'm so grateful that I can make a living out of it. 

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I'd buy a little house in Cornwall by the beach and a few surf boards. The rest I'd probably distribute amongst friends and family. Or just donate to the village cat fund. I don't know whatever tickles my fancy at the time.  

What is your favorite color?

Green

 

What is your favorite food?

Salmon 

Fill in the blanks.

 

Without music I would be - A Hobo.

Music is – My life.

Music makes me feel – Aroused.

I write songs because – I’m afraid of what my manager will do to me if I don’t.

I support music because – it’s awesome 
 
 
 
 

Dan 

Hey Dan, thank for spending some time with us today! So, we heard about the origins of the band name Dive Bella Dive from Barnaby earlier. We’re curious, what did you want to call the band?

I own a clothing company called Vices, which is the name that I originally wanted the band to be called.

 

Plain and simple, I dig it. What can we look forward to on this upcoming album?

It’s about a ‘fuck you’ to all the people that put you down in your life and look at me now. Spend the night living. It’s about living in the now. Everyone is writing about girls and we want to write about more existential things.

 

How would you describe Dive Bella Dive’s music?

Dance Punk! It’s a fusion. The mixture between Dance and Punk. It’s something new and hopefully it will bring guitars back onto the radio.

 

When did you know you wanted to pursue a music career?

I stumbled into it when I was 16 years old. I read a poem that I wrote when I was 11 years old and it said in ten years time I will be a rock star. I am 21 years old now so we sill see how this one plays out.

 

Speaking of fortune telling, where do you see yourself in five years?

Surviving the rapture.

 

So, what was the first song you wrote?

It was called Vendetta and it was about having a vendetta with yourself. I wrote a whole album when I was 15 about being sad. I use to be a huge Emo. 

How did you come from being more Emo style to dance punk?

I found the synthesizer and I got exited about life and I wanted to make people dance. 

How do you think the band would best describe you?

Nervous 

What is your favorite genre of music?

Irish Folk Music. I grew up with it when I was a kid. 

Do you have any other talents besides music?

I studied fine arts in college and I love to paint. I illustrated my own book two years ago. It is a semi autobiographical book about my life and the last page I got signed to Island Records. Then a year later I got signed by Island Records.

 

Wow! Multitalented!! So why did you choose a music career?

Freedom! When I was in school that’s what I loved to do (play music).

 

What has been the most bizarre thing that has happened with the group?

Last night Barnaby and I almost kissed. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

My life… my whole life man. 

If you could perform with anyone who would it be and why?

Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes 

What motivates you to put forth your greatest efforts?

The idea of the future is very scary. What I do is fun so I don’t need motivation. 

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to get drunk. I like to sit in my room alone. 

What is a random fact about yourself?

I use to think I was Jesus when I was 10 years old. 

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

I would buy new speakers and go home to my friends and show them off and have a good time. 

Favorite color?

Pink 

Favorite food?

In-N-Out Burger [We agree!] 

Describe your fashion style?

Post Emo/Punk 

If I came to your home and looked in your refrigerator what would I find?

Not much 

What advice do you have for a young upcoming artist?

If you really want to do it, commit your whole life to it, otherwise there is no point. If you really want to do it you will.

 

Fill in the blanks

Without music I would be – a math magician.

Music is – everything

Music makes me feel – everything

I write the songs because – I can’t help it

Support music because – it’s rad 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

LA is amazing and it is our first time here and I wanna come back! A message to my fans... “I miss you.” 

Sammy 

Morning Sam, thanks for spending time with us today! 

Why did you choose a music career?

Like any guy choosing music, to get girls! They never spoke to me before because I would meow at them and try and lick them, now they love it! Ha. 

What instruments can you play??

I can’t play any one instrument really well, I like to think I can play guitar quite well! But that’s why I put a keyboard in it, cus if I do 2 instruments badly and a gameboy I cant really go wrong right?

 

How long have you been playing all of these instruments?

Played guitar since I was 14 and been on my gameboy since I nicked one off a little kid whilst I was at uni.

 

What was the first song that you learned how to play?

“Come as You Are” by Nirvana on the guitar.

 

What other name suggestions did you give besides the your current name?

First of all I liked the name Dive Bella Dive the most out of the group. Because if you squint your eyes it says dead little kids, I can’t remember another name that I suggested because we went through soo many.

 

If you had to categorize your music what genre would it best fit?

Modern Punk and pop put in Katie Prices baby bearing panties.

 

If you had to describe your music in a few words how would you describe it?

I don’t know. Period.

 

How would you compare your music to other artists?

If The Strokes and The Damned come to meet RedOne and have a monogamous sexual relationship.

 

What makes your music unique from other artists?

We all copy each other, so nothing really its all noise.

 

What are your songs about?

Theres with no meanings, and some about prostitutes, I try to make them obvious, if they don’t make sense I pretend they have hidden meanings haha.

 

What can people expect to see at your live performances?

FURBIES, GAMEBOYS, TELETUBBIES, WIRES, and 4 sexually repressed guys.

 

Will we hear any of the 8-bit on the album?

I hope so. I have really been trying to push for it. I think theres going to be 2 songs. 

What has been the most difficult task the group has had to face?

The marriage period (the group getting to know one another). And dealing with The managers sexual needs (that’s a joke).

 

Who influences you?

Queen, Electronics and Conway Twitty.

 

Do you have any other talents besides music?

This is a tough one! Cus blowing your own trumpet is douchy, but just for today! I think I can make anything if I put my hands to it just like anyone, I guess motivation is one of my main downfalls though like everyone! 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

First of all I sleep walk sometimes. So with that being said my first night staying with the group I slept walked over to Barnaby and thought he was my girlfriend and started frosting him. Barnaby and Dan waited till the morning to interrogate me. I have also threatened dan in his sleep in numerous occasions, they don’t want to sleep in the same room as me anymore. 

What has been the most bizarre thing that has happened with the group?

Getting this record deal. It is amazing. 

If you could perform with anyone who would it be?

Nikolai Tesla – he’s got some balls on him. Haha get it tesla balls?..... Aah forget it 

How would the other band members describe you?

They think I’m gay. I hope they like me. Cus whenever they look at me I can see disgust in their eyes 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully still alive. Hopefully a happy man still doing this. And my MEOW franchise to take over smurf town!

 

What do you do for fun?

I like to wind up Barnaby, he has so many little things that annoy him, and I love playing up on it. 

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Buy a big warehouse, where I can have gigs, build planes, build a death ray, take over the world…… 

What is your favorite color?

You need a favorite two colors. Mine are pink and blue at the minute. 

Favorite food?

Kebab, I had one this morning actually, that completely ruined my day ha. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Is it lame to say I sit and write! I love it. 

Describe your fashion?

It’s all of my insecurities put together into a mixture of shit then slapped onto my body. 

If I looked into your refrigerator what would I find?

Nothing, maybe a bit of mold? Barnaby eats everything 

Fill in the blanks.

Without music I would be – lonely

Music is – my favorite thing but my most hated thing as well. It’s an addiction.

My music makes me feel – taking all my clothes off infront of grandma scotty.

I write the songs because – something tells me to in my head “stop sitting around making matchstick men”.

Support music because – its all made up so why not!. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Not really, in the words of Robbie Williams “shabba” (what the hell was he thinking.”)