Downset (usually stylized as downset.) is an American

rap metal Rap metal is a subgenre of rap rock and alternative metal music which combines hip hop with heavy metal. It usually consists of heavy metal guitar riffs, funk metal elements, rapped vocals and sometimes turntables. History Origins and earl ...

band from

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

, California. Originally called Social Justice, the band's music blends influences from

rap Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

, funk,

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier p ...

, and

metal A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...

with "socially aware lyrics."

Band history

Formation and early releases (1989–1993)

The band's original moniker was Social Justice. They began as a

band. They released their debut album, ''Unity Is Strength'', in 1989 and the EP ''I Refuse to Lose'' under this name with a different lineup in 1992. They were known as being one of the first

hardcore Hardcore, hard core or hard-core may refer to: Arts and media Film * ''Hardcore'' (1977 film), a British comedy film * ''Hardcore'' (1979 film), an American crime drama film starring George C Scott * ''Hardcore'' (2001 film), a British documen ...

bands to incorporate hip hop and funk influences into their music. In 1992, Social Justice (1987–92) changed their name to Downset, and released the ''Our Suffocation'' demo in 1993. The album, which explored various social issues such as the death of lead singer Rey Oropeza's father at the hands of the LAPD, was praised by critics. During this transition, they changed their sound by heavily incorporating

and

funk metal Funk metal (also known as thrash-funk or punk-funk) is a subgenre of funk rock and alternative metal that infuses heavy metal music (often thrash metal) with elements of funk and punk rock. Funk metal was part of the alternative metal movement, ...

Mercury Records, ''downset.'' and ''Do We Speak A Dead Language?'' (1994–1998)

In 1994, Downset signed a deal with

Mercury Records Mercury Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It had significant success as an independent operation in the 1940s and 1950s. Smash Records and Fontana Records were sub labels of Mercury. In the United States, it i ...

, a subsidiary of

Polygram Records PolyGram N.V. was a multinational entertainment company and major music record label formerly based in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1962 as the Grammophon-Philips Group by Dutch corporation Philips and German corporation Siemens, to be a ...

, and released their self-titled effort in the same year. In 1994, downset began gaining popularity in Europe after touring there with

Biohazard A biological hazard, or biohazard, is a biological substance that poses a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans. This could include a sample of a microorganism, virus or toxin that can adversely affect human health. A bioh ...

and Dog Eat Dog, followed by a tour with Pantera and The Almighty later that year. In early 1995, Downset returned to Europe with Sullen for a massive headlining tour. In 1995, they also appeared at some major rock festivals throughout the continent including Roskilde and Dynamo. In 1996, the band released their most commercially successful album, ''Do We Speak A Dead Language?'', through Mercury.

Post-Mercury years, ''Check Your People'' and ''Universal'' (1998–2009)

After making their departure from Mercury Records, Downset were scooped up by Epitaph Records and released their third album, ''Check Your People'', in 2000. In 2004, Downset released their fourth album, ''Universal'', on an independent record label Hawino Records. In recognition of the band's album release on Epitaph Records, "Pure Trauma" taken from the album "Check your People," was included on the 2001 multi-artist compilation "Punk O Rama Vol. 6". The band disbanded in 2009.

Reunion and ''One Blood'' (2013–2014)

On July 21, 2014, Downset's first new album in ten years, ''One Blood'', was released worldwide.

Signing to Nuclear Blast and ''Maintain'' (2022)

After a period of prolonged inactivity, Downset announced in February 2022 that they had signed to Nuclear Blast Records, and announced plans for a new studio album as well as reissues of their demo singles "Anger/Ritual" and "About Ta Blast". On April 29, the band announced their new album, '' Maintain'', would be released on June 10, 2022, and released the album's first single, "The Place To Be". The album sold 200 copies in its first week of sales.

Legacy

Though Downset never experienced any mainstream success, and though its members came from an urban hardcore tradition rather than from metal, the band is still regarded as a noteworthy influence on the then-nascent nu metal and rap metal subgenres. In addition to headlining the second stage at

Ozzfest Ozzfest is an annual music festival tour of the United States and sometimes Europe and later Japan, featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Sharon Osbourne and her husband Ozzy Osbourne, both ...

in 1997, downset. toured with prominent bands such as Linkin Park, Pantera, Slayer, Metallica,

Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk ...

, Korn, Snoop Dogg, Testament and Anthrax.

Band members

Current *Rey Oropeza – vocals (1989–present) *Rogelio Lozano – guitar (1989–1994, 1999–2002, 2013, 2019-present) *Phillip Gonzales – bass guitar (2019–present) * Bobby Blood – drums (2019–present) Former members *Brian "Ares" Schwager – guitar (1989–2016) *Christopher "Krasp" Lee – drums (1989–1999, 2001–2005, 2013) *Chris Hamilton – drums (1999–2001, 2014–2019) *James Morris – bass guitar (1989–2003, 2014–2019) *

Rico Villasenor Rico Villasenor is an American musician and the former bassist for Downset. Villasenor also played in the side projects Drunk with Power and Demean with guitarist Brian "Ares" Schwager. On an extended 8 weeks all over European Tour in 2004 Rico a ...

– bass guitar (2003–2005) *Neil Roemer – vocals (2013) *J.D. Manhart – bass (2013) Former touring musicians *Dave Corsile – guitar (2000–2001, Check Your People Japan / US Tour)

Discography

Albums

Social Justice *''Unity is Strength'' (1989) downset.

EPs

Social Justice *''I Refuse To Lose'' (1992) downset. *''Our Suffocation (demo)'' (1994) *''Downset EP'' (1995) *''Generation of Hope'' (with

Shootyz Groove Shootyz Groove is an American rap rock band formed in Bronx, New York City, New York in 1992. History Formed in 1992, the band originally consisted of Donny on guitar, Spec on bass guitar, Dose on drums, and their two MCs Season and Sense. Withi ...

) (1995) *''Live at Foundation's Forum '' (1995) *''No More Freedom in a Cage'' (1996) *'' Eyes Shut Tight EP' (Live at CBGB's)'' (1997) *''Code Blue Coma'' (2000) * ''Rarities'' (2000)

Singles

*" About Ta Blast" (1993) *"

Anger Anger, also known as wrath or rage, is an intense emotional state involving a strong uncomfortable and non-cooperative response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat. A person experiencing anger will often experience physical effects, su ...

" (1994) *"Downset" (1995) *"Empower" (1996) *"Pocket Full of Fatcaps" (1996) *"Eyes Shut Tight" (1996) * "Split with Mindbug 7" (1999) *"Jumping Off" (2004) *"One Blood" (2014) *"The Place To Be" (2022)

References

Notes

External links

*
Downset interview

''Check Your People'' review at AllMusic''Universal'' review at AllMusic
{{Authority control Musical groups established in 1989 Musical groups disestablished in 2009 Rap metal musical groups Rap rock groups American funk metal musical groups Rapcore groups Funk rock musical groups Epitaph Records artists Musical groups from Los Angeles Heavy metal musical groups from California American alternative metal musical groups 1989 establishments in California End Hits Records artists