XS ROCK: Tell me about the latest band news. Any new projects coming out, live shows, or announcements?
Paul-Yes indeed. Today we release our 5th offering. A 6-track EP called Surfacing and we follow it up with a 12-date NZ tour at the end of this month.
XS ROCK: So how long has the band been together?
Paul-We formed in late 2010 and released our debut album in 2014
XS ROCK: What was your main motivation for originally starting or being in a band?-
Paul-Just fun initially. Then it became an all-consuming passion and lifestyle!
XS ROCK: What is your music background?
Paul-I studied music in school and played trumpet from and early age. I picked up bass, then guitar and I play bass in one of my bands and lead in another.
XS ROCK: What image do you think your music conveys?
Paul– I think the imagery around a band is very important, especially with hard rock/metal music as the lyrics tend to be a bit deeper than in pop music. We always try to convey a sense of hope, justice, love, and understanding with our songs. We want our audience to feel empowered.
XS ROCK: What are your current music career goals?
Paul-To keep writing, recording, and touring! I’d love to get back to the US for a decent tour.
XS ROCK: Which do you prefer? Writing new songs and recording or playing for a live audience?
Paul-Both processes are extremely satisfying but the buzz from a loud live audience is pretty hard to beat! The energy we get back from the audience is our reward!
XS ROCK: What are your songs’ lyrics about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Paul-We write about a lot of different things that mean something to us. For example, when Jennie’s house was robbed she wrote the lyrics for Violation. When we, as a band, were first on the scene at a terrible road accident when we were on a writing retreat, the song The Victor came from that dark day. Animal is about women feeling empowered and confident. Unborn, our latest single was written from the perspective of a baby in the womb. The Whale Song is about mans folly destroying the earth.
XS ROCK: What is the single most important thing to you as a musician?
Paul-Making my family proud.
XS ROCK: Do you have any outrageous tour stories from the road? If so, please fill us in.
Paul-One time in Dusseldorf we drove off and left Nail stranded at the hotel with no phone or wallet. He really wasn’t impressed. He’s still dark. It never gets old.
XS ROCK: What’s the strangest request that you’ve ever received from one of your fans?
Paul-Signing their unmentionables!
XS ROCK: Are your friends and family supportive of your choice to play in a rock band?
Paul-Very much so. My wife does our merch, my son plays the drums and my sister-in-law is our singer.
XS ROCK: What advice do you have for new bands trying to get started?
Paul-Practice, practice, practice! Stick to your guns and follow your gut feelings.
XS ROCK: What are your favorite tracks to play live?
Paul-Burning Tree is a standout song to play live as it’s quite haunting and when the crowd lights up their cellphones it looks spectacular!
Nic Martin – Spark Arena – supporting Disturbed – our 2nd album BE LIKE THE RIVER had entered the NZ album chart at NUMBER 1 on the day of this gig !
XS ROCK: Which band or artist inspired you to perform? Why?
Paul-I think Sid Vicious was a big influence on me when I was young. I loved the Pistols, Ramones, Dead Boys, etc. I had a cool pic of Sid playing live covered in blood. I guess the attitude and passion really stuck out to me.
XS ROCK: If you could design a dream tour for your band, who would be on the bill?
Paul-Sumo Cyco, Testament, Spiritbox, Sevendust, Rammstein, Rob Zombie.
XS ROCK: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
Paul-Our five releases We Rise, Be Like The River, Live At The Powerstation, Red, and Surfacing.
XS ROCK: If you weren’t performing in a band what kind of career do you think you would have?
Paul-I’d be a biker. Or a zookeeper.
XS ROCK: What type of equipment do you use for live shows?
Paul-I play a Dean Edge Pro4 bass through 2x Marshall JCM2000s into 2x 600w 4×12 cabs.
XS ROCK: What do you think of the current music scene?
Paul-Its an ever-evolving circus!
XS ROCK: For anyone who doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?
Paul-I’m licensed to be in charge of radioactive material.
XS ROCK: Is there anything that you’d like to promote or say to your fans out there?
Paul- Check us out on FB, Instagram, and YouTube, we have some pretty rad videos. We love to hear from our fans so come say hi
XS ROCK: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us at XS ROCK!
Paul-THANK YOU!!!!!
Devilskin is:
Jennie Skulander – Vocals
Nail – Guitar
Paul Martin – Bass
Nic Martin – Drums
Website – https://devilskin.co.nz
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/devilskinnz/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/devilskinnz/
