Pets, Paws & Metal: Devolver’s dogs choose TV over music

Paws, Pets & Metal is Metal Insider’s ongoing column on bands with pets, discovering who watches them on the road, and more. Get to know more about these metal furbabies. Fresh off unleashing their sophomore album, Non Compos Mentis, Grande Prairie, Alberta’s Devolver have joined us for the latest installment. The record, self-released on August 22nd and produced by Mark Lewis (Trivium, DevilDriver, The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel), delivers a blend of Gothenburg-inspired melodic death metal and groove-heavy NWOAHM influences. When Metal Insider caught up with Devolver to discuss their two dogs, who, surprisingly, aren’t metalheads at all. Instead of shredding to Non Compos Mentis, the pups prefer TV over music.

Tell us more about your pet(s) and their names?

I love talking about my pets haha. I have 2 dogs named Tes and Nori. Tes is a blue heeler, and Nori is half blue heeler, half mini aussie. They’re the sweetest. Full of energy, protective, and both like humans WAY more than other dogs haha. Tes turned 10 this year, so I got a tattoo of her to commemorate the big double digit birthday. Nori is almost 2 so she’s still got that puppy energy.

Have you ever taken your pet on tour?

I haven’t, I’ve never been able to, it’s tough to make that work, but I bet they would love to sniff all those grimy venues haha. Maybe one day for a short run I’ll try bringing them along just for the adventure. I think they’d love it at first but would probably get bored pretty quick.

Who looks after your pet while on the road?

My partner Heidi stays home whenever I hit the road, so she sends me pictures of them regularly haha. I love to get those updates and see what’s going on at home.

What’s your pet’s favorite song or album?

Nori doesn’t care about music. Could not care less. She likes to watch TV though. Tes however, reacts a bit more to music. She’s howled along to Meshuggah before, and she loves Oh, Canada, which is cute and hilarious. When she hears the anthem she starts singing along. She’s very patriotic.

How did you introduce your pet to metal?

Oh they’ve just never had a choice. Living with me just means it’s part of their lives. They hear it on car rides and stuff so they might even associate it with good times haha.

What animal charity means most to you?

Local shelters can always use help, so if you want a difference, thinking local is always the move. Supporting them even in small ways makes a huge impact, especially for animals waiting on their forever homes.