From:
Los Angeles,
CA,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Background
Founded in Los Angeles in the late 80's as part of the thriving hardcore scene, downset. has evolved into an icon of sorts. As one of the original blenders of rap, funk, hardcore, punk, metal, and socially aware lyrics, they drew influences from Black Flag to Black Sabbath, Public Enemy to Bob Marley.
Becoming a huge draw, the industry took notice and they caught the attention of Mercury/PolyGram Records and released their self titled debut in 1994. Vocalist Rey Oropeza, guitarist Brian Schwager, bassist Rico Villasenor, and drummer Chris Lee perfected their unique, in your face assault of rap/rock fusion, as their pounding street anthems, along with artists like Rage Against The Machine and KoRn, helped to pave the way for the hip-hop/metal explosion of the late 90's.
In 1996 the band delivered "Do We Speak A Dead Language?" and won praise for being "LA's best kept secret" (LA Weekly, February 28, 1997) and Guitar School raved that the band "delivers a pile-driving mountain of Sabbathian riffs, and harsh militant vocals, taking rap metal to its meanest, heaviest and mangiest heights to date" (April 97). The band tore up the festival circuit including Reading and Roskilde , and toured over 25 countries of the world with all their contemporaries, including Pantera, Deftones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, as well as a well-deserved spot on the inaugural run of Ozzfest.
As efforts for their third album became frustrating due to contractual entanglements from its label’s merger with Universal, the band underwent internal changes and in Oct 2000 the band returned with a new label (Epitaph) and new album “Check Your People”.
Tearing up the main stage on the “Tattoo the Earth” Tour alongside Slipknot, Hatebreed, Slayer, Mudvayne, and Sevendust, and the Massive Distortion stage at P3, as well as jaunts with Soulfly, Fishbone, and Metallica helped reconfirm the bands place among the metal elite, and increased their rabid, ever-growing fan base. Sandy Masuo of the LA Times lauded their ability to go "from vehement punk rants to spoken word lulls" and "combine the blustery and balmy elements for a more dynamic attack"
Latest Downset News
Below is our complete Downset news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Downset Signs With Nuclear Blast
Los Angeles' groundbreaking pioneers of the rap/hardcore hybrid and outspoken sociopolitical activists, Downset, have officially joined forces with the heaviest label in the business Nuclear Blast Records and are currently plotting one of the genres greatest comebacks. To mark the occasion, the band has partnered with the label to reissue the controversial demos that helped ignite a street led movement around the world, "Anger/Ritual" 7" and "About Ta Blast" 7", which were initially released 30 years ago.
Commenting on the signing to Nuclear Blast, founding guitarist Rogelio Lozano says:
"Being signed to Nuclear Blast is a big honor for me. It’s a great organization/record label and working with the people there has been nothing but pleasant, professional experience. Nuclear Blast is the #1 heavy metal label in the world with so many great bands and amazing album releases. It gives my band and me the feeling of being a part of something special. We feel right at home, excited and look forward into the re-release of the first two original 7” records as a reissued bundle, as well as our forthcoming 6th album!
"Look out for a mix of old school sound and 12 songs featuring the new era of Downset in 2022. With our new lineup, Bobby Blood Ponte on drums, Phillip Gonzales on bass, myself on Guitar and OG Rey Oropeza on vocals, we plan on continuing the legacy with future albums to come. WE ARE BACK!!"
Additionally, Downset has revealed a new music video today for the bonus demo track "Breed The Killer," that features vintage live footage of them performing the song. Watch the video below. More...
Powerflo Premiere "Less Than A Human" Music Video
Powerflo (Cypress Hill, ex-Fear Factory, Downset., etc.) debut the below video for their song “Less Than A Human“. That track is featured on their self-titled debut album. The band’s own Billy Graziadei (also of Biohazard) directed the clip.
Powerflo Premieres Pre-Release Full-Album Stream
Powerflo - featuring current and former members of Cypress Hill, Fear Factory, Biohazard, Downset - premieres the pre-release full-album stream of the band's upcoming self-titled debut album, which will be out in stores this coming Friday, June 23rd.
Check out now "Powerflo" in its entirety below.
Powerflo Premieres New Song & Music Video
Powerflo premieres a new song and music video "Victim Of Circumstance", taken from the upcoming self-titled album, which will be released June 23rd on New Damage Records. The band also feature former members of Cypress Hill, Fear Factory, Downset.
Check out now "Victim Of Circumstance" below.
Comments vocalist Sen Dog (also of Cypress Hill) of the track: More...
Downset Posts "One Blood" Music
The hardcore punk/rap metal veterans in Downset released their new album "One Blood" last Monday, July 21st after a 10-year hiatus.
Today, Downset has revealed the brand new music video for "One Blood," which can be seen (of all the bizarre places that apparently still exist on the Internet) at MySpace here. The music video was produced by Marcelo Palomino and Brian Cox of Digital Iris Productions.
“Doing the ‘One Blood’ video was putting a big breathe of fresh air into the lungs of Downset,” states guitarist Brian Ares Schwager. “We wanted to embrace our Hardcore roots, are Hip-Hop roots, are Graffiti roots and are Los Angeles roots, as well as unite many of are of closest friends and family for a ‘One Blood’ debut show and reunion. The day of the shoot was a blast and working with Digital Iris Productions was a great experience capturing ‘One Blood’ on video.” More...
Downset To Release New Album
The hardcore punk/rap metal veterans in Downset have announced their return with an upcoming performance at the This Is Hardcore Festival in Philadelphia, PA on July 27th.
The band will also release a brand new album entitled "One Blood" that will hit stores on July 21st, 2014.
Produced by Downset guitarist Brian Ares Schwager and mixed by Wesley Seldman, One Blood was recorded in three locations – Venice and Overland rehearsal studio in Culver City, CA, The Basement in Baltimore, MD, and Creating Better Sounds studio in Palmdale, CA.
“One Blood is Downset in its truest form, coming straight from our hearts to touch the hearts of others,” states guitarist and One Blood producer Brian Ares Schwager.
Downset will perform several east and west coast dates this summer. See below for a current listing of tour dates with ticket prices and door times. Vocalist Ray Oropeza adds, “The east coast is where Downset will launch our live tour for the One Blood album. To all of our fans that have supported us for the past 20+ years, “I Will Always Be There For You, I Will Always Be There, ALL I GOT!”
7/24 Albany, NY@ Bogies - Doors @ 7pm Tickets are $10 advanced $14 day of show
7/25 Worcester, MA @ Palladium - Doors @ 6pm Tickets are $14 advanced $16 day of show
7/26 New York, NY @ Blackthorne 51 - Doors @ 6pm Tickets are $17 advanced $20 day of show
7/27 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory @ TIHC Festival - Different ticket packages available
8/15 Phoenix, AZ @ Joe's Grotto
8/16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Whiskey A Go-Go - Doors @ 6pm Tickets are $20.
8/17 Las Vegas, NV @ LVCS - Doors @ 7pm Tickets are $10 advanced $15 day of show
Dropbox, Bloodsimple Members Form Saint Caine
Former DROPBOX members John Kosco (guitar, vocals) and Joey Wilkinson (guitar) have joined forces with ex-BLOODSIMPLE/DOWNSET drummer Chris Hamilton and bassist John Eville in a new band called SAINT CAINE. The group are currently working on their debut album, to be released in late 2006/early 2007. "It's going to be difficult for us to decide what stays and goes on this record," the band said in a statement
Bloodsimple Complete 5-6 New Songs
BLOODSIMPLE singer Tim Williams has posted the following mesage on the band's official MySpace page:
"We just got back from a week in the studio at an undisclosed location in Chicago. Man, we was workin our asses off. Buckled down and gettin' our groove on. We have emerged with about 5-6 new songs and some other ideas brewing. The shit, I kid you not, is on the next level for us. We are just playin our fuckin' hearts out. It was great to be back in the saddle; the boyz are good and focused. We've been off for like a month which was great, but it was better to be back. Now we are chillin' for the weekend and then it's rehersal time for Europe. Only bout a week and a 1/2 left. Then shit, it's on!!!! Across 16 countries in 30 dayz. If ya can do the math, that equals miles!!! Madd mothafuckin' miles! We will play a new song or two just to start testing them out. It's gonna be a hell of a trip, I'm ready, we will slaughter!!"
BLOODSIMPLE feature in their ranks former members of VISION OF DISORDER, DOWNSET and MEDICATION. The group's debut album, "A Cruel World", was released in March 2005 on MUDVAYNE singer Chad Gray's Bullygoat label imprint (via Warner Bros.). The CD was recorded in Vancouver B.C. with producer Garth Richardson, who has previously worked with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, MUDVAYNE, SLIPKNOT and CHEVELLE. The album was mixed by Mike Fraser (HATEBREED).
Downset, Ramallah, and Demean Tour Cancelled
The upcoming Downset, Ramallah, and Demean tour has been cancelled. Slated to run from May 13th through early-June, the trek was reportedly scrapped "due to internal problems with Downset." For their part, Ramallah are instead putting together some other tours.
Another Ozzfest Second Stage "Mystery Band" Slot
Ozzfest.com has added a second "mystery band" slot to the lineup of acts performing on the Hot Topic second stage at this year's travelling festival. BLOODSIMPLE, the New York-based band featuring former members of VISION OF DISORDER, DOWNSET and MEDICATION, are a favorite to fill one of the slots. There is no word yet on which act the second slot will go to.
Earlier this week, Ozzfest organizers announced that VELVET REVOLVER will be taking over for IRON MAIDEN as one of Ozzfest's main attractions when this year's traveling festival hits Albuquerque, New Mexico, on August 23; IRON MAIDEN will be no-shows for the last seven dates of this summer's Ozzfest because of previous touring commitments they'd made overseas.
Bloodsimple Launch New Media Player
Bloodsimple, the New York-based band featuring former members of Vision of Disorder, Downset and Medication, have launched a media player to support the release of their upcoming album, "A Cruel World". To listen to "Straight Hate", "Falling Backwards" and "Blood In Blood Out", click here.
"A Cruel World" is scheduled for release on March 29 through Mudvayne singer Chad Gray's Bullygoat label imprint (via Warner Bros.). The disc was recorded over the last several months in Vancouver B.C. with producer Garth Richardson, who has previously worked with Rage Against the Machine, Mudvayne, Slipknot and Chevelle. The album was mixed by Mike Fraser (Hatebreed). The first video from "A Cruel World" was shot in December in New York City.
Bloodsimple are currently on the Alliance of Defiance tour featuring Otep and American Head Charge, and will begin touring in April with Mudvayne, Life of Agony and American Head Charge.
Downset Expand UK Tour
Downset have added dates to their upcoming UK tour. The full list is now: London Camden Underworld February 7, Bournemouth Mr. Smith's 8, Bristol Bierkeller 9, Nottingham Junction 7 10, Sheffield Club Zero 11, Glasgow Barfly 12, Bradford Rio 13, Newcastle Archer 14. Liverpool Carling Academy II 15.
Maroon To Support Downset
Last weekend Maroon finished their successful three-week European tour with Switzerland’s Cataract. Even though the bags are not completely unpacked and the laundry is not done yet new duties are already awaiting the likeable five-piece from Nordhausen.
First of all a few words from Maroon on the tour:
Back home!!!! The “Triumph Of Hate”-tour is finished and it has been just awesome and a huge success. Above all, we’d like to extend thanks to the guys in Cataract - it was really fantastic to be on tour with them, for us it was definitely the best tour we have played so far... Thanks to MAD Tourbooking, Century Media as well as Alveran Records and all promoters. Special thanks go out to all the fans in England, Poland and Germany. England was really mind-blowing and unexpected for us. In Poland our shows had always been an event, but this time it is hard to find the right words for the crowd and the action. Definitely THE show of the whole our! Thanks and HAIL to Poland! Special thanks to our road crew Pappe, Hendrik, Matze and Martin for the good work and lots of fun.
Although the tour is over now we will not sit back and do nothing, but will continue playing shows in December and January, amongst others with our brothers from Heaven Shall Burn again. Caliban, Hatesphere and Cataract will be in on it, too.
Everyone who hasn’t had enough of the Maroon live-machine can see us on stage in February on a six-week tour all across Europe with the Crossover forefathers Downset. We are really looking forward to this tour and hope that we can reach some new people besides our fans. Thanks for the support!!!More...
Mercenary Confirmed For Aalborg Metal Fest
Danish metallers Mercernary are the latest act confirmed for the Aalborg Metal Festival 2004, a two-day event set to take place November 5-6 at Studenterhuset in Aalborg, Denmark. Also scheduled to perform at the festival are Mnemic, 1349, Withering Surface, The Defaced, Illdisposed, Scarve, Heaven Shall Burn, Zyklon, Darkane and Downset, among others.
Mercenary's third full-length album, "11 Dreams," was released in August through Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Jacob Hansen (Hatesphere, Invocator, Raunchy) and features and includes a cover version of Kent's hit single "Music Non Stop." Artwork duties were handled by Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Arch Enemy).
Mnemic Confirmed For Denmark's Aalborg Metal Fest
Danish modern thrash metallers Mnemic are the latest act confirmed for the Aalborg Metal Festival 2004, a two-day event set to take place November 5-6 at Studenterhuset in Aalborg, Denmark. Also scheduled to perform at the festival are 1349, Withering Surface, The Defaced, Illdisposed, Scarve, Heaven Shall Burn, Zyklon, Darkane and Downset, among others.
Mnemic are touring in support of their sophomore album, "The Audio Injected Soul", available now on Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to last year's "Mechanical Spin Phenomena" was recorded at AntFarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen.
Downset Plan UK Tour
Downset have announced a major UK tour for the end of the year. The dates are:
Bradford Rio's December 11
Liverpool University December 13
Leeds Cockpit December 14
Glasgow Cathouse December 15
Manchester Hop & Grape December 16
Sheffield Club Zero December 17
Birmingham Academy II December 18
London Mean Fiddler December 19 (this replaces the orignally announced date on October 28).
The band are also to release a new album through Hawino on November 22.
downset Set To Release 'Universal', Gig w/ Anthrax
downset. is geared up to unleash their 4th album, "Universal", April 20 th on Seattle-based Hawino Records. The band just completed 11 blistering new songs, and has been performing sporadically as they return to the top of the amalgamated world they created over a decade ago. Tracks like "Forever", "All Crews", "Black Glock", and "Jumpin' Off", showcase the uncompromising anger and gritty reality downset. fans have learned to expect.
downset. will unleash at the Whisky-A-Go-Go Thursday, April 8th in a one-night-only limited edition show with Anthrax. The band is expected to preview their new album live at the show.
New Downset Song Online, Details On Upcoming Cd
A new four song sampler from Downset.'s forthcoming new album "Universal" has been posted online, you can check it out here. "Universal" will see a release through Hawino Records on March 30th. In related news, the band are currently planning to hit the road in March to begin touring behind the effort, serving as support on an as yet unannounced trek