190 Proof: Devilskin Bassist Paul Martin Talks Boozing

Thankfully, the music industry, and life in general, has largely returned back to a state of normalcy, but that’s not to trivialize the raw deal that a lot of musicians got as a result of this global pandemic.

Devilskin were ready to take the globe by storm with the release of their fourth album, RED, in April of 2020, but as a result of lockdowns, closures, and cancellations, the record never really got the attention it deserved, and the band were never able to tour behind it. Despite these obstacles, Red still topped the charts in the alternative metal group’s native New Zealand.

Slowly but surely, Devilskin has begun to reemerge, with a spring tour that took place through Australia. It’s nice to have the band back, and in commemoration of that, we connected with bassist Paul Martin for a 190 Proof interview, in which we discussed drinking, bars, and boozing.

Describe your worst hangover, ever.

Paul Martin: “Waking up in the police cells after a huge session in Wellington, they shoved a greasy breakfast plate into my cell and I nearly threw up in the dock.”

How long can you hold a keg stand?

“Not sure, but I can run quite quickly with a full keg.”

Kill, fuck or marry: Captain Morgan, Admiral Nelson, or Sailor Jerry?

“Kill them all. Fuck rum, see question one.”

Favourite drinking game?

“Mexican.”

Do you like to write music with some drink in you? If yes, what?

“Not usually, I’ve seen some of my drunken ramblings and it was a bit scary (laughs). I’d rather write sober!”

Devilskin bassist Paul Martin with Dimebag

If you had to name your band after an alcohol/specific drink brand, what would you call yourselves? You can combine names/mix & match if you want!

“The Morning Tequila Christmas Club, some of us do enjoy a good tequila, taken the right way!”

Preferred drink, if you had to put it down on a rider for the whole band!

“Mexican Christmas! A lick of cinnamon, a shot of gold tequila, and an orange wedge. Heaven.”

Which city has your best drunken memory… and what is it?

“Copenhagen was pretty crazy, I ended up drinking shots with King Diamond’s head of security until 6:30 am, only just made the bus in time. We were drinking evil European beer and Fisherman’s Friend shots.”

Do you like your beer with a lot of foam or are you more of a trim-the-foam kind of guy/gal?

“Us New Zealanders are quite particular about our beer, needs to be strong, cold, and not fluffy!”

What’s the worst (or best) dive bar you’ve ever gone drinking to?

“Six Foot Under, a metal bar that I used to run here in Hamilton, New Zealand.”

If the world was coming to an end, what would be your drink of choice to watch it all burn?

“A Caesar cocktail, I think it’s a Canadian thing, delicious! (Thank you Sumo Cyco!)”

What was your drink of choice when starting out, and what is it now?

“Stone’s Green Ginger Wine was my thing for ages, then cheap whiskey, Waikato Draught beer and now it’s tequila! Ole!”

Best drink to travel with?

“That would be tequila!”

Best drink to get you obliterated?

“That would also be tequila!”

Artwork for the album ‘RED’ by Devilskin

How long does it take you to detox when coming off the road?

“A week or so, usually the jet lag is the worst bit. It’s a long flight from anywhere to New Zealand!”

A fan asks to buy you a drink in a bar, what do you choose?

“1800 Tequila.”

Do you remember your first drunken experience, what happened?

“I was nine and my cousin fed me some Chivas Regal, I remember really enjoying it, then nothing. I spewed all over his garden.”

What do you think about kids soaking tampons in alcohol and then inserting them up their asses to get drunk?

“I think they should light them first.”

What’s your worst/best puke story?

“Nothing beats the spew scene from Team America! That is epic.”

When was the first time you ever drank, what happened?

“I had a big pull on a bottle of 100 Pipers scotch when I was about  6 or 7… didn’t like it at all!”

Where is the most embarrassing place you have barfed?

“In someone’s hard hat at a festival once, I was sober too…”

Ever puked on a fan?

“Not yet!! (Bucket list.)”

Where’s the most embarrassing/strangest place you’ve passed out when drunk?

“A bus tunnel!”

What’s your favourite “guilty pleasure” drink? (ex: pina Coladas)

“Hard to beat the sophistication of drinking Port from port sippers!”