Paulo Jr.

electric bass guitar

b. 1969 in Belo Horizonte

Founded SepulturaSepultura today

Paulo Xisto Pinto Júnior is a Brazilian musician best known as the bassist for heavy metal band Sepultura. He joined Sepultura after Roberto Raffan left the band in 1984, becoming Sepultura's second bassist. He is the longest-serving member of Sepultura, which has no original members remaining with the band.

Early life

Paulo Jr. was born in Belo Horizonte, where he grew up with two brothers and a younger sister. His father was a lawyer. He received his first bass guitar, a white Giannini, when he was 15. In an interview, Paulo Jr. commended his parents for supporting the band in its early days. "The support of the parents was one of the keys to our success. We had an empty room and my parents not only lent the space, but also the car to carry the equipment and made lunch for everyone when we were rehearsing." His influences include Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, Geezer Butler, Cliff Burton and Gene Simmons, though Paulo plays bass with a guitar pick rather than his fingers.

Personal life

Paulo Jr.'s hobbies include jiu jitsu and soccer. He is an avid supporter of soccer club Clube Atlético Mineiro. He currently lives in Belo Horizonte.