# Downset.

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American rap metal band

This article is about a band. For the mathematical concept, see [Down set lattice](/source/Down_set_lattice). For other uses, see [Downset](/source/Downset_(disambiguation)).

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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 Jesse Garcia Luis Garcia Steve Sain David Acosta Don Ward Brian "Ares" Schwager Christopher "Krasp" Lee Rico Villasenor Chris Hamilton James Morris

**Downset** (usually stylized as **downset.**) is an American [rap metal](/source/Rap_metal) band from [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), California.[1] Originally called **Social Justice**, the band's music blends influences from [rap](/source/Rap_music), [funk](/source/Funk), [hardcore punk](/source/Hardcore_punk), and [metal](/source/Heavy_metal_music) 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](/source/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.[4] 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](/source/Hip_hop_music) and [funk](/source/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](/source/Los_Angeles_Police_Department), was praised by critics. During this transition, they changed their sound by heavily incorporating [rap metal](/source/Rap_metal) and [funk metal](/source/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](/source/Mercury_Records), a subsidiary of [PolyGram](/source/PolyGram), and released their [self-titled effort](/source/Downset._(album)) in the same year.[3] In 1994, downset began gaining popularity in Europe after touring there with [Biohazard](/source/Biohazard_(band)) and [Dog Eat Dog](/source/Dog_Eat_Dog_(band)),[3] followed by a tour with [Pantera](/source/Pantera) and [The Almighty](/source/The_Almighty_(band)) 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,[5] Downset were scooped up by [Epitaph Records](/source/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.[6]

### Reunion and *One Blood* (2013–2014)

On July 21, 2014, Downset's first new album in ten years, *One Blood*, was released worldwide.[7][8]

### 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".[9] On April 29, the band announced their new album, *[Maintain](/source/Maintain_(album))*, would be released on June 10, 2022, and released the album's first single, "The Place to Be".[10] The album sold 200 copies in its first week of sales.[11]

## 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](/source/Nu_metal) and rap metal subgenres. In addition to headlining the second stage at [Ozzfest](/source/Ozzfest) in 1997, downset. toured with prominent bands such as [Linkin Park](/source/Linkin_Park), [Pantera](/source/Pantera), [Slayer](/source/Slayer), [Metallica](/source/Metallica), [Red Hot Chili Peppers](/source/Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers), [Korn](/source/Korn), [Snoop Dogg](/source/Snoop_Dogg), [Testament](/source/Testament_(band)) and [Anthrax](/source/Anthrax_(American_band)).[6][12]

## Band members

**Current**

- Rogelio Lozano – guitar (1990–1994, 1999–2002, 2013, 2019–present)

- Phillip Gonzales – bass (2019–present)

- [Bobby Blood](/source/Bobby_Blood_(musician)) – drums (2019–present)

- Neil Roemer – vocals (2023–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](/source/Rico_Villasenor) – bass (2003–2005)

**Former touring musicians**

- Neil Roemer – vocals (2013)

- Johnathan Manhart – bass (2013)

- Dave Corsile – guitar (2000–2001); 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. [13] AUT [14] GER [15] UK [16] downset. Released: July 12, 1994[17] Label: Mercury Format: CD, CS, LP — — — — WW: 275,000[18] Do We Speak a Dead Language? Released: September 9, 1996[19] Label: Mercury Format: CD, CS 44 35 77 118 Check Your People Released: October 17, 2000[20] Label: Epitaph Format: CD, LP 44 — — — Universal Released: June 1, 2004[21] Label: Hawino Format: CD — — — — One Blood Released: July 21, 2014[22] 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](/source/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](/source/About_Ta_Blast)" (1993)

- "[Anger](/source/Anger_(downset._song))" (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. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["News: Hardcore Legends Downset Join Nuclear Blast, Announce Reissues"](https://newnoisemagazine.com/news-hardcore-legends-downset-join-nuclear-blast-announce-reissues/). February 21, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Huey, Steve. ["Downset"](http://www.allmusic.com/artist/downset-mn0000168110/biography). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Larkin90_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Larkin90_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Larkin90_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Larkin90_3-3) [Colin Larkin](/source/Colin_Larkin_(writer)), ed. (2000). *[The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music](/source/Encyclopedia_of_Popular_Music)* (First ed.). [Virgin Books](/source/Virgin_Books). p. 131. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7535-0427-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7535-0427-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*Unity Is Strength Credits*](https://www.discogs.com/release/705281-Social-Justice-Unity-Is-Strength/images) (liner notes). Lost and Found Records. LF136CD. Retrieved May 7, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Weekly, L. A. (November 8, 2000). ["Hard Knocks"](https://www.laweekly.com/hard-knocks/). *LA Weekly*. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_6-1) ["Downset discuss 10 year wait between albums, their influence"](https://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/downset-discuss-10-year-wait-between-albums-their-influence). *Metalinsider.net*. August 15, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Blabbermouth (July 30, 2014). ["DOWNSET: 'One Blood' Video Released"](https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/downset-one-blood-video-released/). *BLABBERMOUTH.NET*. Retrieved May 24, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Reunited Downset to release new album | Metal Insider"](https://metalinsider.net/news/reunited-downset-to-release-new-album). June 26, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Blabbermouth (February 18, 2022). ["DOWNSET Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST, Plots Sixth Album"](https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/downset-signs-with-nuclear-blast-plots-sixth-album/). *BLABBERMOUTH.NET*. Retrieved May 24, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Blabbermouth (April 29, 2022). ["DOWNSET Announces First Album In Eight Years', 'Maintain'"](https://blabbermouth.net/news/downset-announces-first-album-in-eight-years-maintain). *BLABBERMOUTH.NET*. Retrieved May 24, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Lambgoat on Twitter"](https://twitter.com/lambgoat/status/1539378945811963904). *Twitter*. June 21, 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220621224804/https://twitter.com/lambgoat/status/1539378945811963904) from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Vista Fanzine: Downset interview with Bassist: James Morris. 1996"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190212003301/http://vistafanzine.blogspot.com/2012/03/downset-interview-with-bassist-james.html). *Vistafanzine.blogspot.com*. Archived from [the original](http://vistafanzine.blogspot.com/2012/03/downset-interview-with-bassist-james.html) on February 12, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* Heatseekers album positions: - *Do We Speak a Dead Language?*: [*Billboard*](https://books.google.com/books?id=vwkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=downset.+1996&pg=PA22). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 28, 1996. - *Check Your People*: [*Billboard*](https://books.google.com/books?id=uRAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=downset.+2000&pg=PA24). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 4, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Downset. - Do We Speak A Dead Language? - austriancharts.at"](https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Downset%2E&titel=Do+We+Speak+A+Dead+Language%3F&cat=a). *austriancharts.at*. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts"](https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-8254). *www.offiziellecharts.de*. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Chart Log UK: Asher D - Dyverse"](http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_D.HTM). *www.zobbel.de*. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [*Billboard*](https://books.google.com/books?id=aQgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=downset&pg=PA18). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 30, 1994.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Interview: Downset"](http://www.modernfix.com/interviews-2/interview-downset/). *Modern Fix*. January 24, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [*Downset - Do We Speak a Dead Language? Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic*](https://www.allmusic.com/album/do-we-speak-a-dead-language--mw0000649000), retrieved October 20, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [*Downset - Check Your People Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic*](https://www.allmusic.com/album/check-your-people-mw0000619899), retrieved October 20, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [*Downset - Universal Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic*](https://www.allmusic.com/album/universal-mw0000329155), retrieved October 20, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Blabbermouth (July 30, 2014). ["DOWNSET: 'One Blood' Video Released"](https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/downset-one-blood-video-released/). *BLABBERMOUTH.NET*. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

## External links

- [Downset](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000168110) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier))

- [Downset interview](https://web.archive.org/web/20060627110815/http://www.tonguesofdestruction.com/)

- [*Check Your People* review at AllMusic](http://www.allmusic.com/album/check-your-people-r500744)

- [*Universal* review at AllMusic](http://www.allmusic.com/album/universal-r684509/review)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Downset.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downset.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downset.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.