Ep35: Author and vocalist Brian Paone is today’s guest on the Elaine’s Literary Salon show — Meet the author who proudly doesn’t stay in his lane

Meet the Author: Brian Paone, a Massachusetts native displaced to Virginia, has been a published novelist since 2007 and has performed in bands since 1995. Cumulatively, Brian’s novels are primarily speculative fiction, ranging from thrillers to drama to horror to science fiction to fantasy and romance. His bands cover a wide range of different metal and industrial genres and styles. He is also a police detective in Maryland and has been working in law enforcement since 2002. He is a self-proclaimed roller coaster junkie, a New England Patriots fanatic, his favorite color is burnt orange, and he is the proud owner of his dream car—a 1981 DeLorean.

As a musician: Brian intended his first band, Yellow #1, to have the whimsical flavor of synth-pop bands, with the lyrical integrity and vocal intensity of metal bands. Combining the two polar opposites into one sound made for a very debatably interesting sonic landscape. They released their debut album, Bottle of Rain, in 1996. Brian pulled the plug on Yellow#1 in 1997 after another musician approached him to form a more industrial-metal band. This new band would eventually turn into Drop Kick Jesus.

In 2014, Brian breathed life back into the band and worked on a second album. Collaborating with hip-hop producer and rap artist, Darius Malloy (aka RedStryke) from Lakeland, Florida, the second album, Thanks for the Nostalgia, moved away from the avant-garde style of the first album, relied more on programming and keyboards than real drums and guitar, and focused more on a structured pop feel. After recording in both Japan and North Carolina, Yellow #1 released the album in 2016. Read more about his work here: brianpaone.com

About Brian’s Books: 

Brian published his first novel, Dreams Are Unfinished Thoughts, in 2007. In the memoir, he chronicles the trials and tribulations of befriending a drug-addicted rock star. As a die-hard fan of the rock band God Lives Underwater, Brian wins the trust of lead singer David Reilly. This honor comes with its own set of extreme personal highs and devastating shared lows.

Brian published his second novel, Welcome to Parkview, in 2010. The cerebral-horror novel, reviewed as a “Stephen King-meets-The Twilight Zone-style tale,” is an unapologetic journey through a town that thrives on the macabre. A town built on deceit and temptation. A town cursed with soulless transients, unforgiving lovers, and an ominous presence in the shadows beyond.

Most recently, he published his twelfth book, Howlers, in the autumn of 2025. The mocumentary-style comedic novel is a novelization of the cult-classic 1980s horror movie, about a werewolf infestation on the sleepy town of Talbotsville. The Bradshaw brothers must find the origin of the Howlers species and discover what sets them apart from traditional werewolves or watch their town fall at the hands of the cryptids. Celebrating the film’s 39th anniversary, the book is chock-full of crew interviews woven throughout the narrative, like watching the audio commentaries on your favorite B-horror film.

Click here to buy Brian’s books.

About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}