Rock AAA sat down with guitar master Kirk Windstein (Down, Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow) during these weekend's Download Festival and updated the fans on all things Down! The big news is that Down will be entering the studio on September 1st and recording the first of a series of EP's. The band plans to release a new EP every 9 months and keep the fans with enough Down music in their bellies. Here is the interview:
After a short North American tour, New Orleans All-star band Down is currently busy working on their fourth studio album. After the success of their third album "Over the Under", the band knows that their rabid fans expect another masterpiece. After seeing them perform live last month here in New York City, we have no doubt that the band is entering the production of Down IV at the right time and with the right mindset.
The only obstacle the band faces is whither Rex Brown (Pantera) is still in Down. Rex was nowhere to be seen on stage while the band was on tour, instead Crowbar's bassist Patrick Bruders took over. All this after Rex announced the formation of the Kill Devil Hill supergroup with Vinnie Appice (Heaven & Hell) and Mark Zavon (Ratt, W.A.S.P., 40 Cycle Hum), and after he recently quit Arms of the Sun. This is what Rex told Metal Assault about this matter:
"This is it. I’m not doing any Down. This is my devotion right here. There’s no side gigs, or anything else that’s going on. So this is what it’s going to be for the future."
The band has not made an Official statement yet, but as soon as they do we'll let you know. For now here is a video of the band's recent show at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square, 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:
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
New Orleans has always been known for its influence in music and its multilingual cross-cultural heritage. This ever-changing region of the United States gave birth to Jazz music, and is universally known for its cuisine. Recently they became known for their NFL football team, thanks to the New Orleans Saints victory over the Indianapolis Colts at this years Super Bowl in Miami. What does all this have to do with Heavy Music? Well, NOLA is the birthplace of one of the best bands in the country, which band are we talking about? DOWN!
Formed in New Orleans in the early 90's, Down started as a side project formed by Pantera's own Philip Anselmo, COC's Pepper Keenan, Crowbar's Kirk Windstein, Eyehategod's Jimmy Bower and former Crowbar bassist Todd Strange. After the demise of Pantera, Philip Anselmo recruited Pantera's bassist Rex Brown, and got Pepper, Kirk and Jimmy on board for the rebirth of one of the best "super-groups" in Heavy Music today. They immediately entered the studio and recorded one of the best sounding records of the last 10 years: Down II "A Bustle in Your Hedgerow". Soon after the completion of the album, they went on the road for what they called "An Evening With Down". The concept was to have videos from legendary bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zepellin and Metallica play before Down's set, instead of having opening acts.
In 2006, Down went to Europe for their first European tour and documented it all on video. The end result is a 130 minute DVD featuring 17 live songs, and plenty of behind the scenes footage. This is what guitarist Pepper Keenan had to say about the DVD:
"The DVD is an in-depth look at what five boys from the wrong side of the tracks can achieve when motivated by the will to escape hard times, fueled by an unexplainable quest to destroy live and be embraced by the love of fans whom we had not had the pleasure of meeting yet. This is how it's supposed to be: rock solid."
"Diary of a Mad Band", will be released in the United States on October 5th through Down Records/ADA. Here is the OFFICIAL trailer:
Make sure you support the underground music scene and buy this amazing DVD.
Rock AAA sat down with guitar master Kirk Windstein (Down, Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow) during these weekend's Download Festival and updated the fans on all things Down! The big news is that Down will be entering the studio on September 1st and recording the first of a series of EP's. The band plans to release a new EP every 9 months and keep the fans with enough Down music in their bellies. Here is the interview:
