The Abuse was formed in early 1995 by Richard Brooke and Frank Mercurio, who
are both accomplished musicians, with extraordinary writing abilities. Their goal
was to play heavy, alternative music with a female front person. They found that
front person in Paulette Valenzuela, who managed to outshine and out power any
of the male prospects who came to audition for the band. The final addition to the
Abuse family is Roger Varley, whose keen sense of rhythm and drive have created
an unshakable foundation. Together they have formed a powerful unit of pure
energy and incomparable presence on stage and in their recordings.

The Abuse has built a strong foundation for themselves in the San Diego music
scene. Their live show can only be described as an unstoppable force. Their
achievements include performing with acts such as Snot; Static-X; System of a
Down; Suction; Human Waste Project; Vision of Disorder; Coal Chamber;
GoldFinger; Battalion of Saints; 96 Decibel Freaks; Zebrahead; D.I.; The Flys,
Puya, and Neurosis just to name a few. They have been featured on a Slamm
Music Showcase as co/headliners with Lucy,s Fur Coat and more recently, they
were featured as Regional Semi-Finalists in Sam Goody,s "Bandemonium" Ultimate Band Search. They are one out of two bands chosen to represent Southern
California, and represent they did!!!

The Abuse is an ensemble of intense passion and raw power, drawing you in with
their aggressive style and mesmerizing vocals. They are without a doubt, an act to
be seen as well as heard.