Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (https://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
P: We are an Extreme Metal band; we blend different styles into our sound, and incorporate non conventional themes, imagery, and lyrics into our music. In doing so, we kind of reside in the uncanny 
valley of most people’s minds: they encounter the band, and initially recognize it as Brutal Death, but soon realize it’s something LIKE BDM, but something very different.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
P: We’re all from Southern California.
I was raised on a lot of music. Luckily, Rock and Metal was part of that upbringing. When I was 15 I got my first bass, and it was all downhill from there.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
P: Musically, Oingo Boingo, Suffocation, Joy Division, just a weird mix of bands act as influences for our stuff.
Human suffering and mental illness drive our lyrics and imagery.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
P: To write music we enjoy. We all maintain that this band is a serious hobby, it’s not a lifestyle or holy union, it’s just making music for fun.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
P: Honestly, working with Trevor Strnad. That guy was my vocal idol as a teenager, to work with him, it was like everything coming full circle.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
P: We’re just one of the bands, haha. Sometimes, we’re recognized for our efforts, usually, we’re not.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
P: We just wait for offers at this point. We used to sniff out leads, message bookers – we just wait for offers, now.
We’re going to be playing our last show for a while June 9, out in Victorville.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
P: Listen to us, I don’t care by what means, just do it. I don’t have any issues with people downloading our stuff.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
P: A Return to Innocence by Enigma. I’d shove it down everyone’s throats.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
P: It’s run by thieves and manipulators. It’d be cool to see a bands worth estimated on skill and not judged on how lucrative their look is, if I was gonna change anything.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
P: Our 5th album, and the handful of EPS we have coming up.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
P: Linktr.ee/paroxysmal
Thanks!
Paroxysmal links:
Band/Artist location – North County, California
Facebook – You Tube – Bandcamp – Merch – Reverbnation –
Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Last Fm –
Check our page for Paroxysmal
