PAVASSE - Loud, United, Urgent ! (France - Street-Punk/Punk-Rock - Interview with Dom, Alex, Aurex & Bill's).

Hello ! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you—how you discovered this musical world, what drew you in, what fascinated you, and what made you want to make music?
Dom (vocals): Hi, back in the early ’90s, some friends and I stole some cassettes from our summer camp counselor. We discovered Ludwig Von 88 and the whole alternative rock scene, and just like that, I dove right in and discovered punk rock and all its facets. Five years later (in 1997), when I was 20, we founded our concert association (Les Graillouteurs), and a few years later, in 2003, I started singing in a ska-punk band (Les Skorsoners). What fascinated me was the raw energy, the intimacy, the commitment—the substance and the style, basically!!
Alex (guitar): Hi, back in the mid-’90s, our older cousin Aurex and I would swap cassettes of stuff he liked, and he got us into punk and hardcore. We discovered Bad Brains, Madball, Rancid, Sick of It All, and tons of other awesome stuff. We’ve always loved it, and we’ve always talked about starting bands with Aurex. We formed Bunkum in 1998—a hardcore band that’s still around today—
Aurex (bass): Alex said it all!!
Bill’s (drums): It all started in my room with my brother, listening to a local radio show called “Planète Barge” that aired every week!! That’s how I got hooked on the world of punk rock ’n’ roll!!

What if I told you that you had to leave for a deserted island in 5 minutes—you’d have no choice… except to take three albums with you… which ones, and why? Would you say these were game-changers at some point in your life?
Dom: "London Calling" by THE CLASH – Les Garçons Bouchers “Tome 1” – NEGU GORRIAK “Borreroak baditu milaka Aurpegi”.
Alex: Not easy—okay, I’ll give it a shot, but in two seconds I’ll have changed my mind: SICK OF IT ALL “Call to Arms” —a shout-out to singer Lou Koller (R.I.P.)— AGNOSTIC FRONT “Last Warning”— great live album and the kind of hardcore I love — BURNING HEADS “Be One with the Flames” — nothing but hits from the masters.
Aurex: Definitely a RANCID album—it’s hard to pick just one, but I’d say the album "Racnid"; it’s insane. Otherwise, Motörhead’s "Ace of Spades" and the Fonky Family’s debut album "Si Dieu veut…”
Bill’s: Rancid too, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, Burning Heads (Opposite), and there are plenty of others!!

Tell me about the band… How did you meet? The current lineup? Past experiences? And most importantly—WHY did you feel the need to form THIS band?
Dom: We met at the bar of the Emeraude venue during a concert; the idea was to form a new street-punk-style band with French lyrics out of the ashes of the punk rock’n’roll trio Woodcutters. PAVASSE lineup is Ptit Bill on drums (ex-Woodcutters), Alex on guitar (Bunkum, ex-Woodcutters, ex-Penalty) Aurex on bass (Bunkum, ex-Woodcutters, ex-Penalty, Viktims) Dom (ex-Skorsoners)
Alex: Not much else to add—we’ll talk about that in 2017. We’d known each other for a long time and had some shared influences but different backgrounds, so it was bound to be interesting to create our own sound.
Bill’s: My first experience was with Woodcutters, but it was way too fast!!!! My arms couldn’t keep up!!! Pavasse: They still can’t keep up, but we’re not giving up!!!!!

Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all costs?
Dom: Our sound is a mix of raw, contemporary punk sounds with hints of ’80s French punk (in the vocals) and more modern musical touches leaning toward American or British punk rock like Rancid or The Business. Why listen to PAVASSE? To let off steam, scream your head off, and drink with friends while raising your fist!
Alex: Well, you just have to listen—that’s it! We’re ordering you to!

Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences? How important are lyrics to you? Are there specific messages or ideas you’re trying to convey and share through your lyrics?
Dom: My inspirations come from French-language punk from the ’80s and ’90s—Banlieue Rouge, Caméra Silens. Lyrics seem important to me for expressing my anger at society’s failings, the desire to rebel, and the importance of human relationships. There’s no specific message, but rather a critical look at our society, an awareness of the excesses of security measures and the trend toward isolationism.

About the band’s discography... Imagine someone who doesn’t know your band at all but wants to check them out. Which album would you recommend they start with, and why?
Dom: We’re releasing our second album in late November 2026, so in the meantime, I recommend the first one!! And above all, I recommend coming to see us live—that’s where it all happens!
Alex: I couldn’t agree more with Dom!

About your latest album?
Dom: So, our second album, “Coup Dur, Coup d’massue,” is out in November 2026: 8 tracks recorded at Fabich Nomad Audio (85) over 2 sessions (2026 and 2023) + 1 bonus track recorded by Hug in Bressuire, available on cream-colored vinyl LP. Cover and insert artwork by Alex (guitar), available through our partner labels:
Abracadaboum for Brittany, Rudy’s Back for Angers, Kick Your Asso for Bordeaux, KC Prod for the Vosges, Guérilla Vinyle for Limoges, Amor Y Rabia for Strasbourg, and Punk Ska Oi! for Germany. The content focuses on fate, death, violence, and the harshness of life—but also on beer and friendship!
Alex: We’re pretty happy with the album—it really sounds like Pavasse. Those who know us will recognize the Pavasse sound, lyrics, and vibe. For everyone else, well, give it a listen!

What are your plans?
Dom: Play shows to promote our new album and head back abroad (anywhere?)!
Alex: Getting Dom to change the setlist—he wants us to play 42 songs.
Bill’s: Keep playing shows and recording! Most of all, partying with the guys!!!

What’s your wildest dream for the band?
Dom: Never stopping!
Alex: To meet Liane Foly?
Bill’s: For this to last as long as possible!!!
Aurex: It’s already a great dream to make albums and play great shows with my friends!!

Your BEST & WORST concert—as a band—and why?
Dom: Best, our two tours in Germany—what an adventure! Worst: ?
Alex: The worst—and at the same time the best—was having to play on an electronic drum kit at the last minute during our tour in Khel (Germany). We were really stressed out about not having a drum set (the band that had the set had broken down), but someone helped us out with an electronic kit and in the end we nailed the show. Nothing can stop us! We tell this story in a comic book if you’re interested—it’s available at our shows and digitally.
Bill’s: Our first show in Germany (Kehl)—no drum set when we arrived, and in the end I ended up playing an electronic one!!!
Aurex: Both tours were really great, and there’s nothing worse—we’re not divas!!

Upcoming live shows?
Dom: November 28 in Bressuire (at home for the album release), February 5 in Bordeaux, February 20 in Sélestat....
Alex: On November 28, we’re playing with Inner Terrestrials at our place, and on February 20, we’re playing with Lion’s Law.

A few words about your local scene—which bands are your friends that you’d like to mention?
Dom: The Bressuire scene is still very active; our closest friends are: BUNKUM (hardcore), BLACK MANTRA (hardcore punk), FURIEUX MAIS SAGE (alternative punk)
Alex: Alright, some other friends: CROVERCOPS (crust), HEADS UP (melodic punk), ABRASIF (street-punk).

What’s the question you’d love to answer but have never been asked? Heads up—I’m also waiting for the answer that goes with it…
Dom: Why? Because!
Alex: What do you think of the band’s rhythm section? Well, they’re some hell of some musicians, I’m telling you. (I’ll take this opportunity—they haven’t answered the questions yet)
Aurex: Is there a leader in the band? No comment!!
Bill’s: Why are you guys such big shots? Because we go to Basic Frite!! (“Basic Frite” is a French pun on the gym chain Basic-Fit, swapping ‘Fit’ for “Frite” (fries). It’s a popular meme used to humorously contrast gym culture with fast food and laziness! Ed.)

Well, the interview is coming to an end… Would you like to add anything? Anything I didn’t think of? Something important, funny, silly… Whatever!
Dom: We do this for fun and to let off steam! No profit! Stay rude, rebel, and free!
Alex: Thanks for reaching out to us with these questions! Hello and thanks to our friends!  Oi!
Aurex: Thanks for taking the time to help people discover our band!! Long live ROUGH TIMES!!!
Bill’s: Don’t overthink it!!! And let’s rock!!!!! Oi!!!