Down (band)
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Distinguish Template:Infobox musical artist
Down is an American heavy metal supergroup that formed in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1991. The current lineup consists of vocalist Phil Anselmo (Pantera and Superjoint Ritual), drummer Jimmy Bower (Crowbar, Eyehategod, Superjoint Ritual), guitarists Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity) and Kirk Windstein (Crowbar), and bassist Pat Bruders (Goatwhore).
Since their formation, Down has gone on hiatus twice and has released five studio albums. The first three were LPs entitled NOLA (1995), Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow (2002), and Down III: Over the Under (2007). In 2008, the band began working on additional material, which resulted in two EPs entitled Down IV – Part I, released in September 2012, and Down IV – Part II, released in May 2014.
History
[edit]Formation and NOLA (1991–1998)
[edit]Down formed in 1991 with vocalist Phil Anselmo of Pantera, drummer Jimmy Bower of Eyehategod, guitarists Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity and Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and bassist Todd Strange, also of Crowbar. All of the band members were longtime friends, and shared interest in bands such as Black Sabbath, Trouble, and Saint Vitus, which would significantly influence the music they made.Template:Citation needed The band made a three-track demo for underground trading. In an effort to build a fan base, Anselmo and Keenan would ask heavy metal fans if they had ever "heard of this band, Down" and hand them copies of the tape without telling the person that they were in the band.<ref name="Revolver">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Stormbringer">Template:Cite web</ref> Eventually, the tape was distributed throughout the United States and Down played a small concert in its hometown. A record executive from Elektra Records was attending the show. When he found out who the members of the band were, he signed Down to a recording contract.<ref name="Stormbringer"/>
Down released its debut album, NOLA, on September 19, 1995,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> debuting at number 55 on the Billboard 200. AllMusic reviewer David Reamer gave the album a nearly perfect 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising the songs "Temptations Wings", "Stone the Crow", and "Bury Me in Smoke". Reamer stated that "this is a landmark album that combines the talents of dedicated rock musicians, and should be included in any collection of heavy metal music."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> NOLA was supported by a 13-date tour, and afterward the band went on hiatus in order to return to their respective bands.<ref name="Revolver"/>
A Bustle in Your Hedgerow and Over the Under (1999–2008)
[edit]
In 1999, while Down was on hiatus, Strange left the band and was replaced by Pantera bassist Rex Brown. In late November 2001, Down came back from hiatus to make another record. The band wrote and recorded Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow in 28 "drug and booze induced" days in Phil Anselmo's barn called "Nödferatu's Lair."<ref name="Decibel">Template:Cite journal</ref> The album was released on March 26, 2002, but was not received with the same positive reviews as NOLA. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Borivoj Krgin stated, "Down II appears to have been thrown together more haphazardly, with much of the material falling short of the standard set by the Down's classic debut offering."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite mixed reviews, the album debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200.<ref name="billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref> To support the album, Down toured on the second stage of Ozzfest in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also in 2002, the band recorded an acoustic version of "Stone the Crow" that was never officially released although it can be heard on YouTube. Afterward, the band once again entered an indefinite hiatus to focus on their respective bands.
Newly signed to Warner Bros. Records, Down once again reformed in 2006. The band wrote an album over the course of a year. The lyrical content of Down III: Over the Under covers subjects such as the breakup of Pantera, the murder of ex-Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, the band's anger at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and Anselmo's recovery from back surgery and drug addiction.<ref name="Revolver"/><ref name="Decibel"/> Debuting at number 26 on the Billboard 200, the album was released on September 25, 2007, and received generally positive reviews.<ref name="billboard"/> Kirk Miller of Decibel Magazine said of the album, "for almost an hour, it's like the metal world was set right again."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The release of Over the Under was preceded by a tour with Heaven & Hell and Megadeth. To further support their album, Down headlined a tour starting at the end of September 2007.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On April 22, 2008, the BBC Radio 1 Rockshow broadcast a new session of Down recordings featuring alternate versions of "N.O.D.", "Beneath the Tides", and "Jail", along with a cover of "When the Levee Breaks" (written by Kansas Joe McCoy and his wife Memphis Minnie, and famously covered by Led Zeppelin).Template:Citation needed
Diary of a Mad Band (2008–2010)
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On July 24, 2008, frontman Phil Anselmo mentioned in a post on the band's Myspace blog that Down had been "fucking around with some new material" and had "enough material already recorded"—at least six new songs in addition to those that did not make the final cut on Down III: Over the Under.<ref name="newmaterial">Template:Cite web</ref> What or how much will be included on the tentative Down IV is uncertain, but according to Anselmo, there is "definitely enough for an awesome EP, with some surprises within."<ref name="newmaterial" />
Asked in November 2008 what the current status of the new album was, bassist Rex Brown told Billboard.com that Down had been "writing constantly on the road. We still have all these ideas, and we play a lot of new stuff at sound check, just to feel it out. Hopefully, we can get back in the studio in the fall and work on something."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
On February 18, 2009, Down was announced in the lineup for the 2009 Roskilde Festival in Denmark. Following these live dates, the band toured the United States and Canada during August and September 2009. On March 30, 2009, Down posted a statement on their message board indicating that they will be back in the studio from October through November writing and recording what will eventually become Down IV. In the summer of 2009, Down began a US tour without Rex on bass, who had developed acute pancreatitis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On January 27, 2010, it was announced that Brown had nearly fully recuperated from his fight with pancreatitis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Down had discussed reconvening in New Orleans sometime after the 2010 Super Bowl to begin work on a new album. With a release date yet to be announced, the new album will be the band's fourth studio offering. After legal issues with Warner Brothers Records regarding the rights to the music, Down released the live album Diary of a Mad Band: Europe in the Year of VI on October 5, 2010, via Roadrunner Records. The title is a reference to Diary of a Madman, an Ozzy Osbourne album.
Brown's and Windstein's departures and EPs (2011–2014)
[edit]
In 2011, Phil Anselmo commented on the future of Down, stating: "Man, there will be a time for Down. Matter of fact we had a meeting this past week, and I know Jimmy's gotta go do an Eyehategod tour in February. But after that, I think we're looking to do some shows starting in March. Maybe local around here, maybe even some Mardi Gras gigs. But yeah, last week we sat around and they played me some new stuff they're working on, and it sounds good. Sounds like it's got a lot of promise, and really they just need me in the fuckin' practice room. So all this is going to happen this year. It has to happen. I know there's a responsibility here. Down has a fanbase and they are very very very loyal. So I don't want to let those people down. They deserve some new music, we have it. We've demoed other songs, there's songs that haven't even been released that people have never heard, so there's always Down there. For all you people out there, don't you stress. We got the Down coming."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On May 11, 2011, Down announced on their Facebook page that they "demoed a brand new tune."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Down played at Download Festival on Saturday June 11, 2011. They played alongside System of a Down, Avenged Sevenfold and Alice Cooper. Rex did not tour with Down during their spring 2011 shows. Crowbar bassist Pat Bruders filled in for Rex during those shows. "Rex is not gonna be with us," said Keenan. "He's got things he needs to deal with, and we gave him an ultimatum and he's trying to work things out. We've got Pat (Bruders) from Crowbar playing bass, and he's ass-kickin' in the same way. He plays with his fingers—which is really cool; he's got the whole Geezer Butler thing going on." When asked whether or not Brown was still considered a part of the band, Keenan was hopeful but hesitant: "I don't know what to really say on that; he's not out of the band, but he's not playing with us live." On June 22, 2011, Jimmy Bower announced that Rex Brown would not be returning to Down, and that Pat Bruders is his replacement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The band spoke on their Facebook page and said they started recording new material on October 20. On January 16, 2012, they revealed track names for the new EP on Facebook. Initially, rumors spread about the possibility of Down releasing four EPs, instead of an album. However, when asked about it in an interview with Scuzz TV, Anselmo said that "It would be too pretentious, we try not to think as far ahead as that, and just go with what we feel at the time."Template:Fact In the summer of 2013, Kirk Windstein quit the band and was replaced by Bobby Landgraf. Down IV – Part II was released on May 13, 2014.
Following Anselmo's white power and Nazi salute controversy during the Dimebash event in the United States, the organizers of FortaRock Festival decided to cancel the appearance of the band for the 2016 event.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Next album (2018–present)
[edit]When speaking to Max Morin of Bucketlist Music Reviews in January 2018, Anselmo said about the follow-up album to 2007's Over the Under: Template:Quote
In November 2019, Down announced they would be reuniting for a series of shows in 2020, including Graspop Metal Meeting, set to take place June 18–21, 2020 in Dessel, Belgium.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of Down's first album NOLA, founding member Kirk Windstein confirmed he was returning to the band.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During a December 2019 interview with BraveWorlds, Windstein said "anything Down does from here forward, whether it’s a full tour or one show, I'm 99.9% sure that I'm a part of it."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Band members
[edit]Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2
- Current members
- Phil Anselmo – lead vocals (1991–present)
- Pepper Keenan – guitars, backing vocals (1991–present)
- Jimmy Bower – drums (1991–present)
- Kirk Windstein – guitars, backing vocals (1991–2013, 2019–present)
- Pat Bruders – bass (2011–present)
- Former members
- Todd Strange – bass (1991–1999)
- Rex Brown – bass (1999–2011)
- Bobby Landgraf – guitars, backing vocals (2013–2019) live (2024)
- Live members
- Danny Theriot – bass (2009)
Timeline
[edit]<timeline> ImageSize = width:850 height:auto barincrement:24 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:60 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1991 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1991 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1991
Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:lines value:black legend:Studio_album id:eps value:gray(0.80) legend:EP id:bars value:gray(0.92)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
LineData =
at:09/19/1995 color:black layer:back at:03/26/2002 color:black layer:back at:09/24/2007 color:black layer:back at:09/18/2012 color:eps layer:back at:05/13/2014 color:eps layer:back
BarData =
bar:Phil text:"Phil Anselmo" bar:Pepper text:"Pepper Keenan" bar:Kirk text:"Kirk Windstein" bar:Bobby text:"Bobby Landgraf" bar:Todd text:"Todd Strange" bar:Rex text:"Rex Brown" bar:Patrick text:"Patrick Bruders" bar:Jimmy text:"Jimmy Bower"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Phil from:01/01/1991 till:end color:vocals bar:Pepper from:01/01/1991 till:end color:guitar bar:Kirk from:01/01/1991 till:01/01/2013 color:guitar bar:Bobby from:01/01/2013 till:01/12/2019 color:guitar bar:Kirk from:12/17/2019 till:end color:guitar bar:Todd from:01/01/1991 till:01/01/1999 color:bass bar:Rex from:01/01/1999 till:01/01/2011 color:bass bar:Patrick from:01/01/2011 till:end color:bass bar:Jimmy from:01/01/1991 till:end color:drums
bar:Pepper from:01/01/1991 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Kirk from:01/01/1991 till:01/01/2013 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Kirk from:12/17/2019 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Bobby from:01/01/2013 till:01/12/2019 color:bvocals width:3
</timeline>
Gallery
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Phil Anselmo, 2013
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Pepper Keenan, 2013
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Pat Bruders, 2013
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Rex Brown (left) and Kirk Windstein, 2009
.JPG){kind=link}
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US <ref name="billboard"/> |
AUS <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
FIN <ref name=fi>Template:Cite web</ref> |
FRA <ref name="FRA">Template:Cite web</ref> |
GER <ref name="GER">Template:Cite web</ref> |
IRL <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
SWE <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
UK <ref name="ukchart">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||||
| 1995 | NOLA
|
57 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | 68 |
| |
| 2002 | Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow
|
44 | 45 | — | — | 67 | — | — | 80 |
| |
| 2007 | Down III: Over the Under
|
26 | 60 | 30 | 114 | 65 | 42 | 45 | 46 | ||
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | |||||||||||
Extended plays
[edit]| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US <ref name="billboard"/> |
FIN <ref name=fi/> |
FRA <ref name="FRA"/> |
GER <ref name="GER"/> |
UK <ref name="ukchart"/> |
AUS <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| 2012 | Down IV – Part I
|
35 | — | 163 | 86 | 57 | 58 |
| 2014 | Down IV – Part II
|
23 | 21 | 81 | 88 | 50 | 79 |
Live albums
[edit]| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRA <ref name="FRA"/> |
GER <ref name="GER"/> | ||
| 2010 | Diary of a Mad Band
|
147 | 93 |
Singles
[edit]| Year | Song | Album | Music video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Lifer" | NOLA | No |
| "Stone the Crow" | Yes | ||
| "Temptations Wings" | |||
| 1996 | "Rehab" | No | |
| 2002 | "Beautifully Depressed" | Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow | |
| "Ghosts Along the Mississippi" | Yes | ||
| 2007 | "On March the Saints" | Down III: Over the Under | |
| "I Scream" | No | ||
| 2008 | "Mourn" | ||
| "N.O.D." | Yes | ||
| 2012 | "Witchtripper" | Down IV – Part I | |
| 2014 | "We Knew Him Well" | Down IV – Part II | |
| 2015 | "Conjure" |
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Pages with broken file links
- Down (band)
- American sludge metal musical groups
- American stoner rock musical groups
- American southern rock musical groups
- American heavy metal supergroups
- American musical quintets
- Heavy metal musical groups from Louisiana
- Musical groups from New Orleans
- Musical groups established in 1991
- 1991 establishments in Louisiana