DOWN LOW - Miscellaneous - http://maxpages.com/aeazine2/DOWN

DOWN LOW
Interview with Joe V.

NYHC band Down Low set out to reawaken the early days of hardcore as personified by Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, Warzone, Murphy's Law and Minor Threat. One of their first shows was at a hardcore fest in Peekskill, upstate NY with many prominent HC bands such as Warzone, Maximum Penalty and Darkside NYC. Releasing fheir first demo in 1994, Down Low appeared on notable compilations such as Bad Taste: The Brotherhood of Antigood and Creepy Crawl Live (recorded at Coney Island High). In 1998 they played a tribute to Warzone's late frontman Ray "Raybeez" Barbieri at CBGB, sharing the stage with Sick Of It All and many other celebrated Manhattan bands. Another show was at a free hardcore festival at Tompkins Square Park with Breakdown headlining. A split CD with Against The Grain, And Justice Shall Be Served, came out that same year. In 2000 their first MCD Wall Of Anger was released, produced by Mike Dijan of Breakdown and Cold Front, and their song "All My Life" was released on a Triple Crown compilation CD, Scene Report. Last year they recorded a cover of Reagan Youth's "U.S.A." was recorded for a United Riot compilation Streets of America and the band are currently working on their second CD release.

What is the current lineup of Down Low? How long has this lineup been together?
Joey - vocals, Joe V. - guitar, M.M. Fury - bass, Jason – drums. The band is 10 years old. Everyone except Jason has always played in the band at one time or another.

Who named the band and what is the meaning of the name Down Low?
Joey named the band, cuz we do everything on the down low.

How many releases does Down Low have out altogether?
There are 8 releases. ( 1- EP, 2-7," 6 comps).

Which releases would you recommend to someone who just heard of the band?
All of them.

The band have appeared on many CD compilations. Which of these are the most memorable and how do the songs you contributed compare to those on your own releases?
Creepy Crawl Live is the most memorable one it was recorded live at Coney Island High and was a great show. I can't say how it compares. It all was fun making those records.

Your website mentions something about the trend toward nu-metal. What are the band's opinions about this trend and how does Down Low offer an alternative to it?
We remained true to playing old school hardcore for 10 years and we haven't jumped on the band wagon by playing what is popular or whatever the current trend is.

Your website also says you write about a few social issues in your songs. Which issues has the band written about?
We write about hardships that we deal with in life.

How strongly does the band feel about these issues and why?
We feel very strong about them cuz it's been stuff that has effected our lives as well as the lives around us so instead of keeping a negative attitude about it we vent by singing about it.

Are there any social issues you haven't written about yet that you would like to?
Yeah there is a ton of stuff, but Joey writes most the lyrics and you will hear about new topics on the new recording.

The band disbanded in 1998 and reformed in 2003 to play a show with New York band Urban Waste. What made you decide to reform the band officially after that show?
Joe V. and Joey talked about getting the band back together upon his release from prison, Joe V. was living in Boston and missed not playing with the band and missed being home in NYC so he moved back and reformed with the current line up.

Are the band good friends with Urban Waste?
we've become friends with them from playing those shows.

How many other bills have you shared with them?
We played 2 shows with them.

Down Low was part of a 2-day show to honor Warzone vocalist Raybeez who passed away earlier that year. What other bands played and what do you remember from that show?
Wow that was a crazy bill we played the 2nd day with Sick Of It All, it was total chaos I’ve never seen CBGB so packed with people. When the bands played people were bouncing of the walls it was a true hardcore show for a true cause. We miss Ray. R.I.P.

Down Low played a massive show that year at Tompkins Square Park. Did this show contribute to a wider fanbase in any way?
Yeah that was another good one there were all kinds of kids there punks, metalheads, skins, and everyone was into it, which we thought was great that all these different types came together for that show and had a great time.

How much did it get the band's name around?
I think a lot of kids there new us already. I think the word definitely got spread cuz at that time we were constantly getting asked to play shows.

Down Low has been known to cover songs by Minor Threat playing live. Does the band still cover Minor Threat now that they are back together? Are there any other bands you cover?
We covered Reagan Youth, Black Sabbath, Warzone. There is more; I just can't remember all them

How does the hardcore scene compare today to when the band started?
There is a lot more younger kids which I think it is good that the younger generation is into it.

How many newer kids have been going to shows lately and how are they getting along with the older kids?
Same shit, different day. Once in a while there is always a fight each new generation has there own style so it's new to others and always bound to cause some chaos once in a while.

Having been around since the 90s, does the band think it's a good thing that hardcore and hardcore-metal crossover is being noticed aboveground on shows like Headbangers' Ball?
All that shit is metal. There is nothing hardcore about it.

Do you think more hardcore bands will be seen on these shows in the future?
Well, more new style hardcore, I think authentic old school hardcore would hold interest for them to play that stuff it's probably a good thing so we can keep it were it belongs.

How is work going on your upcoming EP Gotta Break Out? In what ways do you hope the EP will be an improvement from your older releases?
We'll finish it one of these years haha. I think it's gonna be a lot more raw than the other releases not as produced sounding which is a good thing it will sound more like we really do live.

Are there any additional plans Down Low have for the future?
A tour of the U.S. and Europe would be nice. Hopefully things go smooth and we can do that.

Anything you want to end the interview with?
Give us your money, we're broke. Buy our stuff and ladies make sure you have sex with us.

Down Low c/o Joe V.
114 N. 7th St. #2
Brooklyn, NY 11211 USA
(Address subject to change)
http://www.downlownyhc.com
downlownyhc@hotmail.com

- Dave Wolff

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