Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
KEY:
R – Reggie (Vocalist/Rhythm Guitarist)
B – Ben (Bassist)
J – Joe (Lead Guitarist)
G – George (Drummer)
PD: What type of artist are you?
R: We’re whatever we wanna be, and whatever you want us to be really. No need to think into it too much. A rock band.
PD: Tell us the brief history of yourself.
R: Well, I started as a solo artist, but wanted to bring my music to live on stage, so I recruited George and Joe to join me, and we started scheming. Our original bassist left, but Joe knew Ben, so that’s how we ended up with him. My solo music isn’t really played much live now, because we just write so much new content that sounds better.
PD: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
R: Well, Oasis got me into playing guitar, but Mac DeMarco got me into songwriting. I’m a big Ty Segall fan though nowadays, which is probably heard in some of our tunes. Not sure about non-musical, maybe Jurgen Klopp – YNWA.
J: Thought I do love Santana, Nina Simone and MF Doom, I thank my parents, my mates and the Smoothie for pushing me off my arse to keep shredding in this band.
B: Musically I couldn’t even pinpoint where I’d start as I love parts of artists and genres I listen to, but if I like something I’ll try and incorporate it.
G: Most recently Jeff Buckley, Rodriguez, Happy Mondays.
PD: What are your dreams and goals?
B: To live comfortably and play good music to anyone who will listen to us.
J: To play in the states, go on a world tour.
R: What Ben and Joe said.
G: To get under people’s skin.
R: And also what George said.
PD: Who writes your songs, what are they about?
R: We all chip in and write a lot of the music. Ben seems to be the master of writing songs that are too complicated for us to play. If the songs in A, D or C then I probably wrote it.
J: I just shred over whatever they give me.
G: I play chords and they just tell me to get behind the drum kit.
PD: How do you promote your band and shows?
R: Social media and all that. Word of mouth. Not much else you can do really. Josh from The Circus Birds makes us posters some times too. He’s a legend.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online?
R: Legally or illegally? DM us on Instagram for a physical that don’t exist yet.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
B: Those Thieving Birds by Silverchair.
J: Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry.
G: I Want You by Marvin Gaye.
R: Dancing Queen by ABBA.
PD: What are some of your pet peeves?
B: People that walk in line too slow and when I hit a wrong note and Reggie gives me a death stare over a minute accident.
J: People that eat with their mouth open and people who have Jagerbombs during their gig.
G: Bassists that don’t turn their amp down.
R: Musicians and people who think they’re musicians.
PD: What is your proudest moment in music?
R: When Ben started hitting the right notes in my songs. Not sure what’ll top that.
J: When I first heard my music on Spotify.
G: Hearing a song I’ve had an input in writing come together in the recording studio.
PD: So what are you working on at the moment?
R: Our first album. Just need the funds to record it all. It’s pretty much written, and we’re already working on a second.
PD: What music have you available online and where can we buy it from?
R: At the moment we’ve just got two singles out on all streaming platforms and digital stores. They’re called ‘Warn You’ and ‘Red World’, but our new single ‘Pretty Face’ drops on the 28th, so keep an eye out. It’s always a fan-favourite when we play it live.
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