Downset.

This article is about a band. For the mathematical concept, see Down set lattice. For other uses, see Downset.

downset.
Downset performing in Germany in 2023
Background information
Also known as	Social Justice (1989-1992)
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Rap metal hardcore punk
Years active	1989–2009 2013–present
Labels	Theologian Abstract Mercury Epitaph Hawino Nuclear Blast End Hits
Members	Joe Hyde Roy Lozano Phillip Gonzales Bobby Blood Neil Roemer
Past members	Rey Oropeza Brian "Ares" Schwager Christopher "Krasp" Lee Rico Villasenor Chris Hamilton James Morris Johnathan Manhart

Downset (usually stylized as downset.) is an American rap metal band from Los Angeles, California.^[1] Originally called Social Justice, the band's music blends influences from rap, funk, hardcore punk, and metal with "socially aware lyrics."^[2]

Band history

Formation and early releases (1989–1993)

The band's original moniker was Social Justice.^[3] They began as a hardcore punk 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 bands to incorporate hip hop and funk influences into their music.

In 1992, 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 Rey 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)

Downset in 1994

In 1994, Downset signed a deal with Mercury Records, a subsidiary of PolyGram, and released their self-titled effort in the same year.^[3] In 1994, downset began gaining popularity in Europe after touring there with Biohazard and Dog Eat Dog,^[3] 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.^[3]

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

After making their departure from Mercury Records,^[4] 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.^[5]

Reunion and One Blood (2013–2014)

On July 21, 2014, Downset's first new album in ten years, One Blood, was released worldwide.^[6][7]

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".^[8] 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".^[9] The album sold 200 copies in its first week of sales.^[10]

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.^[5][11]

Band members

Current

• Neil Roemer – vocals (2023–present)
• Rogelio Lozano – guitar (1989–1994, 1999–2002, 2013, 2019–present)
• Phillip Gonzales – bass guitar (2019–present)
• Bobby Blood – drums (2019–present)

Former members

• Rey Oropeza – vocals (1989–2023)
• 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 – bass guitar (2003–2005)

Former touring musicians

• Neil Roemer – vocals (2013)
• Johnathan Manhart – bass (2013)
• Dave Corsile – guitar (2000–2001, Check Your People Japan / US Tour) (died 2023)

Discography

Albums

Social Justice

• Unity Is Strength (1989)

downset.

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and sales amounts

Title	Details	Peak chart positions				Sales
		US Heat. [12]	AUT [13]	GER [14]	UK [15]
downset.	Released: July 12, 1994[16] Label: Mercury Format: CD, CS, LP	—	—	—	—	WW: 275,000[17]
Do We Speak a Dead Language?	Released: September 9, 1996[18] Label: Mercury Format: CD, CS	44	35	77	118
Check Your People	Released: October 17, 2000[19] Label: Epitaph Format: CD, LP	44	—	—	—
Universal	Released: June 1, 2004[20] Label: Hawino Format: CD	—	—	—	—
One Blood	Released: July 21, 2014[21] Label: self-released Format: CD	—	—	—	—
Maintain	Released: June 10, 2022 Label: Nuclear Blast Format: CD	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

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" (1993)
• "Anger" (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

1. "News: Hardcore Legends Downset Join Nuclear Blast, Announce Reissues". February 21, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
2. Huey, Steve. "Downset". AllMusic. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
3. Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 131. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
4. Weekly, L. A. (November 8, 2000). "Hard Knocks". LA Weekly. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
5. "Downset discuss 10 year wait between albums, their influence". Metalinsider.net. August 15, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
6. Blabbermouth (July 30, 2014). "DOWNSET: 'One Blood' Video Released". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
7. "Reunited Downset to release new album | Metal Insider". June 26, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
8. Blabbermouth (February 18, 2022). "DOWNSET Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST, Plots Sixth Album". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
9. Blabbermouth (April 29, 2022). "DOWNSET Announces First Album In Eight Years', 'Maintain'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
10. "Lambgoat on Twitter". Twitter. June 21, 2022. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
11. "Vista Fanzine: Downset interview with Bassist: James Morris. 1996". Vistafanzine.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
12. Billboard Heatseekers album positions:
    • Do We Speak a Dead Language?: Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 28, 1996.
    • Check Your People: Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 4, 2000.
13. "Downset. - Do We Speak A Dead Language? - austriancharts.at". austriancharts.at. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
14. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
15. "Chart Log UK: Asher D - Dyverse". www.zobbel.de. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
16. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 30, 1994.
17. "Interview: Downset". Modern Fix. January 24, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
18. Downset - Do We Speak a Dead Language? Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved October 20, 2022
19. Downset - Check Your People Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved October 20, 2022
20. Downset - Universal Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved October 20, 2022
21. Blabbermouth (July 30, 2014). "DOWNSET: 'One Blood' Video Released". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

External links

• Downset at AllMusic
• Downset interview
• Check Your People review at AllMusic
• Universal review at AllMusic