Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

On sale, fri aug 17 @ 10am

Ok, so let's get this straight. Five guys originally from New Orleans, in four different bands, got together many moons ago and started a little side project called Down. Featuring vocalist Phil Anselmo from Pantera, drummer Jimmy Bower from Crowbar, and guitarist Pepper Keenan from Corrosion of Conformity, it seemed innocent enough, just a couple of freaks who were into bands which were into Sabbath -- before it was cool to be into Sabbath. They would jam and blow their heads off in this little garage, and then something started to happen. They weren't just blowing off steam and "Sabb-ing out"; they were coming up with some serious stuff.

Six years later, this Down swamp creature they created will not kick the ol' bucket. Over the last six years, the members of Down have been constantly asked by press and fans alike, from Christchurch, New Zealand to Kansas City, "What's up with Down?" It seems to have taken on a life of its own, purely supported by freaks who kept listening to it and asking for it. Very little radio, even less promotion, and still even fewer live shows. It spread like some kind of yellow fever to basically become a staple heavy metal record.

The album Nola sold close to half a million copies worldwide; not bad for a band that only played thirteen shows and can't even remember the color of their own tour bus. They eventually decided that Down was not the kind of band that can be confined to a studio. Lo and behold, they came up with a genius idea to isolate themselves in a barn (later to be christened "Nodferatu's Lair") in an undisclosed swamp somewhere in South Louisiana. Slept upstairs and rocked downstairs. Shipped in enough gear to get their point across (loudly), and got two Yankees with their heads half screwed on (half more than the band’s) to turn the knobs.

One of the coolest things about Down is the fact that they don't have any preconceived notions about what is to come. When Down is in the "Lair” – candles lit, ice chest packed, puffin' and passing, all fired up – they have no clue what's going to happen, which is a beautiful thing. This freedom allows them to write anything from mellow material like "Where I'm Going", to slammers like "The Seed". Wherever their heads are at, good or bad, up or down, this is what makes Down tick.