DOWN Own New York City

Last night Down performed a legendary concert at the Best Buy Theater in New York City. From the second Phil Anselmo and the boys got on stage, the crowd went wild and didn't stop raging out of control until security emptied the place up after Down destroyed everyone's necks and vocal chords. Down does not take anything for granted and they know that New York City always expects the best from them, and last night they performed their best show in New York City to this day.

The energy last night in the heart of Times Square was unbelievable, there wasn't one person standing still or frowning. Down's mission is always to jam their hearts out and regardless of how chaotic the crowd is, Phil Anselmo always demands more chaos! In a token of appreciation to all the rabid Down fans, Phil performed the entire set with a cracked open head after being hit with Pepper Keenan's guitar while the band was playing "Lifer", which they always dedicate to Anselmo's former band mate "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. This made the crowd go absolutely insane, and from that moment on the whole place erupted into a huge mosh pit.

Performing all the "hit" songs from their three albums with full Bower Power combined with the shredding guitar of Kirk Windstein (Crowbar) and Pepper Keenan, Down is one of the tightest bands you will ever hear and last night was no exception. As in any successful band, the lead singer is the master of ceremony and Phil Anselmo last night proved that he is the best front-man in Heavy Music history. The man makes the guys lose their minds and the girls scream obnoxiously loud. All in all, a great mix of extreme music and amazing people. New York City is quickly becoming the capital of Metal, and nobody can stop us! \m/

"It's not the first time this happens, and it will definitely not be the last one." - Anselmo after having his head cracked open while on stage.





Here are the remaining dates for the 2011 DOWN US tour:

Apr. 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
Apr. 30 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom

Photo credit: Bards Eye Photography
Videos shot by: Alex 'Cliff'

Related links:
DOWN

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Riffing It Up with Kirk Windstein

Kirk Windstein is synonymous to crushing riffs that seek vulnerable ears and destroy them without mercy. His guitar tone is recognizable by millions of Heavy Music fans worldwide, and as result imitated by almost every band out there. Many can try to sound like Kirk, but there is only one man that can handle being in three successful bands, being a father, and a soon to be husband.

After being an active musician for almost 25 years, you would think that Kirk is ready to slow down and lay back. The truth of the matter is that when it comes to the circle of hard-hitting musicians that come from New Orleans, they play music from the heart and not even a devastating hurricane can stop them from spreading their music like a wild fire.

Taking it easy has never been part of Kirk’s ritual; the man is by far one of the hardest working musicians in Heavy Music today. Not only does he lead Crowbar, but he is also a vital part of the mighty Down and Jamey Jasta’s right hand man in Kingdom Of Sorrow. He is also working on a solo record that he hopes to release sometime this year (more details in the video interview).

During Crowbar’s recent stop in New York City for the Metalliance Tour, we sat down to chat with Kirk about life on the road, his music and how after 25 years he decided to leave his boozing years behind in order to focus on his family. This exclusive interview took place in side Irving Plaza as the fans were arriving to catch one of the best tours of the year.


Before we get into the interview, here are some facts about Kirk Windstein:

- Kirk was born in Middlesex, England on April 14, 1965.

- His career started in 1987 when he joined a band called Victorian Blitz as guitarist. The band was a Judas Priest and Iron Maiden cover band.

- Today he sings and plays guitar in Crowbar, Down, and Kingdom of Sorrow.

DISCOGRAPHY:


- Obedience Thru Suffering: released on September 26, 1991
- Crowbar: released on October 12, 1993
- Live +1 (EP): released on March 29,1994
- Time Heals Nothing: released on May 23, 1995
- Broken Glass: released on October 29, 1996
- Odd Fellows Rest: released on July 7, 1998
- Equilibrium: released on March 7, 2000
- Sonic Excess in its Purest Form: released on August 8, 2001
- Lifesblood for the Downtrodden: released on February 9, 2005
- Sever the Wicked Hand: released on February 2011


- NOLA: released on September 19,1995
- Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow : March 26, 2002
- Down III: Over the Under: September 25, 2007
- Down IV: TBD


- Kingdom of Sorrow: February 19, 2008
- Behind the Blackest Tears: June 8, 2010

Without further due, here is the exclusive interview we did with riff master Kirk Windstein, in which he discusses life as a touring musician, his future musical plans and how he was able to get his life back on track.



We want to thank Kirk, Bill Meis at EOne Music and Steve Seabury!

Photo credit: Bards Eye Photography

Related links:
Crowbar
E1 Music
Down
Kingdom of Sorrow

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The Impact of Eyehategod

When it comes to bands that stand out for being unique while keeping their music simple, and that have managed to remain devoted to their craft regardless of the obstacles they have faced. The bands that are part of the New Orleans Heavy Music scene stand out for all of this and more. Think about when Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans and how every musician within the NOLA circuit of Heavy Music came together and helped each other out. This is because the musicians there treat each other like family and unlike most musical scenes, they created a scene around the people that surrounded them and not from a particular sound or style.

If there is a band that is living proof of all of this, it is Eyehategod. The band was founded on April 20, 1988 by Jimmy Bower and Joey LaCaze, who were joined by Mike Williams, Brian Patton and Steve Dale. Ever since their inception they have been a driving force within the Heavy Music scene in NOLA. Their sludge Metal became a trademark within Heavy Music worldwide and their unique sound is incomparable. Eyehategod's music is the result of a group of friends getting together in a jam room and writing some simple, heavy and balls out music!

If there is a city that has received Eyehategod with arms wide open time and time again, it is New York City (the bands strongest market). The band loves playing in New York so much, that within the last year they have performed three times in the city that never stops rocking.

At their most recent stop in New York, we did the most chaotic interview in Horns Up Rocks history! This serves us and them right, specially since the only way to define Eyehategod is by using the word chaos! During the interview we discussed the past, the present, and the future of the band, as well as the comradery of the band. We also discussed their new Live DVD which is coming out on March 22nd, as well as when the fans can expect a new Eyehategod album.

Without further due, here is the exclusive interview we did with Eyehategod at Club Europa in Brooklyn. We want to thank our friends at Earsplit PR for hooking us up!



Photographer: William Saunders

Related links:
Official Site of Eyehategod
Pre-order the Eyehategod Live DVD
Earsplit Compound

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Crowbar: Sever the Wicked Hand Review

When we went to the Crowbar listening party at Idle Hands Bar in New York City, even though it was hard to focus on the music with all the debauchery that took place, we still had a really good feeling about the new Crowbar: "Sever the Wicked Hand". Once we actually sat down and consumed ourselves with Crowbar's ninth studio album, our emotions felt compelled to the sounds created by Crowbar and our ears were asking for more volume!

When it comes to fitting in crushing riffs in harmony with dirty vocals, grooving drums, and hard hitting bass, Kirk Windstein has the perfect formula. From the first note on the opening track "Isolation (Desperation)" you know its a Crowbar record, but the band still managed to not sound outdated. You know how many bands have a signature sound, and when you hear new material it sounds expired? Well, Crowbar managed to keep their signature sound intact and fresh. This ladies and gentleman is really hard to do.

One move that has proven to be lethal in Crowbar's evolution, is Kirk's work with Down and Kingdom Of Sorrow. While Kirk always brings in his unique sound, the fact that he is working with different musicians and within different styles, benefits what he creates with his big baby called Crowbar!

While we could give you a track by track summary, and tell you which tracks stand out in our opinion, we rather give you the chance to listen to the record with your own ears.

Check out the exclusive AOL Listening Party for Crowbar's "Sever the Wicked hand"!

Here is the track listing of Crowbar's "Sever the Wicked Hand":

1. Isolation (Desperation)
02. Sever The Wicked Hand
03. Liquid Sky And Cold Black Earth
04. Let Me Mourn
05. The Cemetery Angels
06. As I Become One
07. A Farewell to Misery
08. Protectors Of The Shrine
09. I Only Deal In Truth
10. Echo An Eternity
11. Cleanse Me, Heal Me
12. Symbiosis

Make sure to catch the mighty Crowbar on stage:

3/17 - Dallas, TX - Southside Music Hall
3/18 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog/SXSW
3/19 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
3/20 - St Petersburg, FL - State Theater
3/21 - Orlando, FL Firestone Live
3/22 - Greensboro, NC - Greene Street
3/23 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
3/24 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
3/25 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
3/26 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
3/27 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe's
3/29 - Denver, CO - The Summit
3/31 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
4/01 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
4/03 - San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine
4/05 - Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues

Here is Crowbar's NEWEST video for the song "The Cemetery Angels", a song from "Sever the Wicked Hand."


As seen on Crowbar's Official Site, here is the interview we did with Kirk Windstein.


Related links:
Crowbar's Official Site
Crowbar on E1 Music

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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DOWN: 2011 Tourdates

New Orleans, Louisiana supergroup Down, has just announced a few US tour-dates for this Spring! We know that some of you are skeptic about Down, since seeing Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown with another band makes you miss Pantera's fury, but Down is a band you must see live . Ever since the demise of Pantera in 2001, Down became a musical powerhouse and their lineup is unmatched:

Philip Anselmo: Vocals
Kirk WIndstein & Pepper Keenan: Guitars
Rex Brown: Bass
Jimmy Bower: Drums

Their music is also unmatched, specially live:



Don't miss this chance to see one of the best Heavy Music bands today LIVE! Here are the 2011 DOWN US dates:

Mar. 04 - New Orleans, LA - The Hangar
Mar. 05 - Maxwell, TX - The Cotton Gin
Mar. 06 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
Apr. 28 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theatre
Apr. 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
Apr. 30 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom

Stay tuned for more updates!

Related links:
DOWN

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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CROWBAR: OFFICIAL listening party

Crowbar has represented Heavy Music since 1989, and they have never released an album that sucks. Simply because Crowbar's front-man Kirk Windstein has always written music from the soul, packed with monstrous riffs. In our opinion, Kirk's guitar tone defines what a Heavy Metal guitar should sound like!

This Friday night come to Idle Hands Bar and get Crowbent at the official listening party for Crowbar's upcoming release: "Sever The Wicked Hand" (in stores February 8, 2011).

Here are all the details:
WHAT: Crowbar "Sever The Wicked Hand" official listening party
WHEN: January 7th, 2011 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
WHERE: Idle Hands Bar: 25 Avenue B (Downstairs), New York, New York 10009

In case you missed this, here is an exclusive interview we did with Kirk Windstein right after Crowbar's show here in New York City!



Related links:
Crowbar's Official Site
Idle Hands Bar

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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NEW CROWBAR VIDEO - The Cemetery Angels

When we recently saw Crowbar groove the hell out of Santos Party House here in New York City, little did we know that they were taping parts of their latest video at this epic show. The name of the song is "The Cemetery Angels", which is the first single out of the new Crowbar record titled "Sever The Wicked Hand" (February 8th - E1 Music), and its a balls out jam with lots of groove. Buckle up and check it out!



Here is a video interview we did with Kirk Windstein right after the show, which also includes awesome life footage!


Related links:
Crowbar
E1 Music

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Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down, Kingdom of Sorrow) is one of the godfathers of the New Orleans Heavy Music scene, and since the inception of Crowbar in 1989 he’s kept his craft intact. Kirk has been a fundamental asset to the ever changing New Orleans Heavy Music scene, which has brought us bands like Crowbar, Down, Acid Bath, Goatwhore, Eyehategod, Soilent Green, and many others.

What sets the NOLA scene apart from other scenes in the country is that the scene was not created around a particular genre; it was created around the musical paradise that is only present in New Orleans, Louisiana: a city that gave birth to Jazz, Sludge Metal and to the New Orleans Saints (current Superbowl champions).

Sludge Metal became an important genre, thanks to musicians like Philip Anselmo (Pantera, Down) Pepper Keenan (COC, Down), Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod, Down), Ben Falgoust (Goatwhore, Soilent Green), and Mike Williams (Eyehategod), who’s goal was to create a musical movement in which everyone unites and challenges each other’s creativity. This movement has lead into a very unique sound, which Windstein has helped to create and establish.

It is evident from the moment Kirk steps on any stage, that everyone loves the “old man” (as Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed calls him). One of the elements that has made Kirk loved by millions of fans worldwide, is the passion and soul he delivers through his music. Whither it’s Crowbar, Down, or Kingdom of Sorrow, Kirk is always the same humble guy who found music as a creative and therapeutic outlet.


Last weekend Kirk brought his “baby” Crowbar to New York City’s Santos Party House, and made it an unforgettable night of Heavy southern Sludge Metal! Crowbar has never disappointed, and wherever they go they make sure everyone leaves with a wide smile. What impacted us the most about Crowbar is how fans of different musical styles always unite at their shows, groove their bodies uncontrollably, and got their soul Crowbent.

What’s in the agenda for Kirk Windstein in 2011?

- New Crowbar record (February 8th through E1 Music).
- US tour in March with Crowbar.
- Recording of the new Down record in the summer.
- Touring with Kingdom of Sorrow in the summer.

We are pretty sure that what you really want to do right now, is watch our EXCLUSIVE interview with Kirk Windstein inside Santos Party House, right after Crowbar's New York City takeover. \m/









Related links:
Crowbar
E1 Music
Down
Kingdom of Sorrow

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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