Albany pop-punk trio Young and Divine have weathered enough ups and downs during their two-year career to trade war stories with bands three times their age. But JP Clark, 23 (vocals/bass), Jake Mai, 23 (guitar/vocals) and Joe Bortscheller, 22 (drums) channeled every drop of experience into their irresistible, melodically stellar, upbeat self-titled RCA debut, which is set for release in 2010, and the album is a welcome blast of positive energy and amped-up rock that isn't afraid to get serious, too.

Young and Divine independently recorded their self-titled debut release with Kenneth Mount and Zack Odom (Cartel) at Atlanta's Tree Sound Studios, where the trio became acquainted with the pleasures of a 24-hour beer keg and jam-packed 12-hour workdays. But most importantly, their super-charged choruses, powerful guitar lines and ear-grabbing melodies got hammered into the final 13 songs for the album.

"’Shake That Bubble’ is about going to a club and it's your spot, you've got the hook up," Clark says of the group's dancey first single, where synths and a bouncy beat complement a barrage of guitars. "And it's also about what girls do at clubs – or what we're hoping they do."

The album's head-nodding opener is called "Bonus Track" and the tune usually leads off shows, too because it gives Mai a perfect opportunity to spin kick and oozes positive vibes.

"That's all I want to be around now. I was tired of the old ways and hanging around negative people," Clark explains. "Strangers by Day" is what the trio call their hook-up song about "people you want to keep on the down low," and "Nicole Deserved It" is the true tale of a girl who quit her job as a camp counselor to hang out with Clark after a show one summer. "She ended up being a crappy person, so I decided she deserved what she got," he says.

With Young and Divine due later this year, the trio are itching to get back on the road and show off some of their new tricks. "I've been practicing an idea for a drum solo now that everybody's going to be involved in," Bortscheller says. "A lot of bands forget they're entertainers," adds Mai. "Our sets are dynamic but we stick to our roots: we're a rock band."

PCM's Kristyn got a chance to catch up with Young & Divine for a phone chat! Click below to hear about how the band formed, fun stories from the "Shake That Bubble" video shoot, and more!