Band: Divided Youth
From: Sacramento, California
Their formation story:
(Tommy, vocals): "Divided Youth was started by our guitarist Nicky Vaughan during his freshman year of high school. He had been looking for band members for a little under a year when he met our drummer Layne Perkins, the story is interesting on its own. Nicky was walking down the hallway of his school when he saw this kid (Layne) wearing a punk jacket with a big Op Ivy patch on the back with drumsticks sticking out of his backpack.
"Nicky approached Layne and they started jamming shortly after. Nicky shortly after met the original bass player at a skatepark, where they then began writing songs and eventually playing house shows and any gig they could find.
"Around that time, I had just returned home from a year of travel and had started playing in Xclaim (an SSD cover band), which was only supposed to be for one tiny house show for guitarist Charles Albright's birthday party... Which turned into a handful of rad shows. Nicky heard the Xclaim recording (which you can find on Bandcamp) and asked if I would want to come try out for his band, and I was all game.
"We had a solid 2 practices before we got asked last minute if we could hop on a bill for a band that dropped. Us being excited with the opportunity to be on a bigger bill and were beyond stoked to say yes, that's when it hit me.. I still don't know all the words. So I ran over to Kinkos the day of the show and printed all the lyrics out.
"The show ended up being awesome, which started a string of shows for us. Some notable shows for us were playing this library up in Nevada City, Chico, of course, the Sacramento shows. Playing with bands like Stalag 13, The Avengers, Dwarves, Claimed Choice, and Destiny Bond. We are very grateful and appreciative of all the rad people we've met and the connections made along the way."
Their sound in their own words:
"I would describe our style as Zero Boys meets Youth of Today. Trying to make our sound as true to the '80s as possible. We have our own influences though. 7Seconds, DK, The Nerve Agents, Gorilla Biscuits, Tales of Terror, Uniform Choice, and The Flatliners to name a few."
Latest release info:
"Our newest release, Use It Up, is a 5-song EP of back-to-back fast classic hardcore punk. The EP consists re-recorded tracks 'Divided Youth' and 'Granite Goons' which also appear on our demo that was released mid-2024 on our label, Pure Pressure Records.
"100 CDs were made of the demo along with limited tapes by the Sacramento tape label Trash Tapes. Our new EP also features the new song 'You Lose' along with a surprise cover at the end. Available wherever you stream your tunes."
Future plans:
"Currently the band is on a hiatus, as I'm relocating to upstate New York. There are plans for a physical release of the Use It Up EP so keep your eyes peeled.
"We are also appearing on a comp called Secret Futures on Strange Club Records releasing June of 2025, featuring bands such as TSOL, Bloodstains, Big Boys, The Government, and many others."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
"Some bands that you should check out from Northern California include Whoreifed, girl punk from Sac. Their new demo, Slutty and Scared, is a must-listen. Holehog, from Sacramento, is another great band to check out.
Standtall, Bay Area straight edge is another band to look out for, I believe they are going in to record again soon. Ante, from Chico, featuring members of Sedition, the Witless, and Slugger is another band to check out."
Divided Youth on social media: Instagram
Tagged: divided youth
