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DOWNSET
NEW ALBUM: FEBRUARY UK TOUR!!!

Alongside bands like Rage Against The Machine and Korn, Downset - Rey Oropeza (vocals), Brian 'Ares' Schwager (guitars), Rico Villasenor (bass) and Chris Lee (drums) - are amongst the best and most creative bands of the mid 90's to hit the hearts and minds with a mixture of rap, hardcore, metal, funk and critical lyrics.

With their storming albums 'Downset', 'Do We Speak A Dead Language?' and 'Check Your People', the Los Angelinos established a worldwide following, and now - after a four-year absence - the band is back with this spectacular new album, on the new label, Hawino Records!

On their new songs, Rey Oropeza and his band colleagues provide ample and energetic proof that they have lost none of their creativity. Their awesome metal riffs are always bedded in hard-edged funky rhythms while their raps and lyrics offer spirituality rather than mere sloganeering. A slight smattering of arrogance is also not amiss - the result is a mixture between the brutal force of Rage Against The Machine and the spiritual strength of Public Enemy. This is an absolutely convincing fourth album, whose rap-metal mix aims for the brain and heart of its listeners.

To accompany the release of the album, Downset set out on a MASSIVE 52-date European tour that sees them in the UK in December…

Saturday, December 11th BRADFORD Rio's
Monday, December 13th LIVERPOOL University
Tuesday, December 14th LEEDS Cockpit
Wednesday, December 15th GLASGOW Cathouse
Thursday, December 16th MANCHESTER Hop & Grape
Friday, December 17th SHEFFIELD Club Zero
Saturday, December 18th BIRMINGHAM Academy 2
Sunday, December 19th LONDON Mean Fiddler

Downset release their brand new album, UNIVERSAL,
on NOVEMBER 22ND on Hawino Records, distributed by Cadiz / Pinnacle

www.downset.net / www.hawino.com

All Over The Place…Nik Moore-020 8769 6713 or 020 677 8466
nik@workhardpr.com
October 2004


DOWNSET…A History

Founded in Los Angeles in the late 80's as part of the thriving hardcore scene, downset.has evolved into an icon of sorts. As the original blenders of rap, funk, hardcore, punk and metal with socially aware lyrics, they drew influences from Black Flag to Black Sabbath, Public Enemy to Bob Marley.

Becoming a huge draw, the industry took notice and they caught the attention of Mercury/PolyGram Records and released their self titled debut in 1994. Vocalist Rey Oropeza, guitarist Brian Schwager, bassist Rico Villasenor, and drummer Chris Lee perfected their unique, in your face assault of rap/rock fusion, as their pounding street anthems, along with artists like Rage Against The Machine and KoRn, helped to pave the way for the hip-hop/metal explosion of the late 90's

In 1996 the band delivered "Do We Speak A Dead Language?" and won praise for being "LA's best kept secret" (LA Weekly, February 28, 1997) and Guitar School raved that the band "delivers a pile-driving mountain of Sabbathian riffs, and harsh militant vocals, taking rap metal to its meanest, heaviest and mangiest heights to date" (April 97). The band tore up the festival circuit including Reading and Roskilde, and toured over 25 countries of the world with all their contemporaries, including Pantera, Deftones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, as well as a well-deserved spot on the inaugural run of Ozzfest.

As efforts for their third album became frustrating due to contractual entanglements from its label's merger with Universal, the band underwent internal changes and in Oct 2000 the band returned with a new label (Epitaph) and new album "Check Your People".
Tearing up the main stage on the "Tattoo the Earth" Tour alongside Slipknot, Hatebreed, Slayer, Mudvayne, and Sevendust, and the Massive Distortion stage at P3, as well as jaunts with Soulfly, Fishbone, and Metallica helped reconfirm the bands place among the metal elite, and increased their rabid, ever-growing fanbase. Sandy Masuo of the LA Times lauded their ability to go "from vehement punk rants to spoken word lulls" and "combine the blustery and balmy elements for a more dynamic attack"

downset. is geared and primed with vigor to return to the top of the amalgamated world they created over a decade ago, and bring it to all. The band just completed 11 blistering new songs, and has been performing sporadically for the long awaited 4th album, "Universal", slated to be released in the United States on June 1st 2004 on Seattle-based Hawino Records.

Their reemergence marks the strength and integrity that has been held high in the eyes and ears of fans and believers. Ttheir previous efforts have sold close to 300,000 copies worldwide, and "Universal" is set to follow suit. Tracks like "Forever", "All Crews", "Black Glock", and "Jumpin' Off", showcase the uncompromising anger and gritty reality downset. fans have learned to expect.


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