downset.

Biography

Downset (usually stylized as downset.) is an American rap metal band from Los Angeles, California. Originally called Social Justice, the band's music blends influences from rap, funk, hardcore punk, and metal with "socially aware lyrics."

Formation and early releases (1989–1993)

The band's original moniker was Social Justice. They began as a hardcore punk band. The original lineup consisted of Rey Oropeza on vocals, Jesse Garcia on guitar, Steve Sain on guitar, David Acosta on bass, and Luis Garcia on drums. They released their debut album, Unity Is Strength, in 1989. The following year, Social Justice disintegrated, and Oropeza was the only member remaining. He formed a new lineup which consisted of Don Ward on guitar, Rogelio Lozano on guitar, James Morris on bass, and Christopher Lee on drums. The revamped lineup released the mini-album I Refuse to Lose in 1992. They were known for being one of the first hardcore bands to incorporate hip hop and funk influences into their music.
In 1992, Ward departed from the band, and he was replaced by guitarist Brian Schwager. Social Justice 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 Oropeza's father at the hands of the LAPD, was praised by critics. During this transition, they changed their sound by heavily incorporating rap metal and funk metal.

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

In 1994, Downset signed a deal with Mercury Records, a subsidiary of PolyGram, and released their self-titled effort in the same year. In 1994, downset began gaining popularity in Europe after touring there with Biohazard 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?×Do We Speak a Dead Language?3 September 1996 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro0:482Empower2:243Eyes Shut Tight4:094Keep on Breathing2:535Hurl a Stone2:216Fire2:287Touch4:188Against the Spirits2:079Sickness2:4010Pocket Full of Fatcaps3:1711Sangre de mis manos2:2812Horrifying3:3113Sickness (reprise)1:4014Permanent Days Unmoving2:2815Ashes in Hand3:58, 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×Check Your People27 September 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Fallen Off3:572Coming Back3:533Together4:204Play Big3:395Check Your People4:386No Home (Steady!)3:147Which Way4:598Chemical Strangle3:379Tear Us Apart3:421020003:0811En El Aire3:3512Test Of My Heart3:3113Pure Trauma2:3514Blood3:42, in 2000. In 2004, Downset released their fourth album, Universal×Universal2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1All Crews3:532Forever4:233Stay in the Game3:054Black Glock3:025Jumpin Off3:046The Rush2:587Hectic3:268Make This Happen3:069What They Want2:5110Smiles & Cries5:1411Universal4:22, 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×One Blood21 July 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1One Blood5:172Without [Explicit]3:563Champion2:584All I Got3:225It's Your World3:136Why We Can't Wait3:237Tu Corazon3:378Who's Tripp'n (Intro)1:009Who's Tripp'n3:2510Passion4:0211No Doubt3:0712Know Me5:29, 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×About Ta BlastAugust 1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1About Ta Blast3:102Body Cry4:46". On April 29, the band announced their new album, Maintain×Maintain10 June 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Maintain2:582Blackest of Days2:503New Respect2:134Won't Forget3:095Wreck It3:266On Lock (Only the Defest)3:267The Place to Be3:478Your Power2:439Positive Mind3:0710Hear Me Now2:4411Deeper3:5112Ready for This2:38, 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 in 1997, downset. toured with prominent bands such as Linkin Park, Pantera, Slayer, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, Snoop Dogg, Testament and Anthrax.

Band members

Current

Rogelio Lozano – guitar (1990–1994, 1999–2002, 2013, 2019–present)
Renato Barbosa – bass (2024–present)
Betto Cardoso – drums (2024–present)
Joe Hyde – vocals (2024–present)
Former members

Rey Oropeza – vocals (1989–2023)
Jesse Garcia – guitar (1989–1990)
Steve Sain – guitar (1989–1990)
David Acosta – bass (1989–1990)
Luis Garcia – drums (1989–1990)
Don Ward – guitar (1990–1992)
Christopher "Krasp" Lee – drums (1990–1999, 2001–2005, 2013)
James Morris – bass (1990–2003, 2014–2019)
Brian "Ares" Schwager – guitar (1992–2016)
Chris Hamilton – drums (1999–2001, 2014–2019)
Rico Villasenor – bass (2003–2005)
Bobby Blood – drums (2019–2024)
Phillip Gonzales – bass (2019–2024)
Neil Roemer – vocals (2023–2024)
Former touring musicians

Neil Roemer – vocals (2013)
Johnathan Manhart – bass (2013)
Dave Corsile – guitar (2000–2001); died 2023

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) (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×About Ta BlastAugust 1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1About Ta Blast3:102Body Cry4:46" (1993)
"Anger×Anger1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Anger2Ritual" (1994)
"Downset" (1995)
"Empower×Empower1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Empower2:252Bring Meaning4:093Keep on Breathing2:544Horrifying (alternate version)3:31" (1996)
"Pocket Full of Fatcaps×Pocket Full Of Fatcaps1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Pocket Full of Fatcaps3:17" (1996)
"Eyes Shut Tight" (1996)
"Split with Mindbug 7" (1999)
"Jumping Off" (2004)
"One Blood×One Blood21 July 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1One Blood5:172Without [Explicit]3:563Champion2:584All I Got3:225It's Your World3:136Why We Can't Wait3:237Tu Corazon3:378Who's Tripp'n (Intro)1:009Who's Tripp'n3:2510Passion4:0211No Doubt3:0712Know Me5:29" (2014)
"The Place to Be" (2022)