Downset.

{{Short description|American rap metal band}} {{About|a band|the mathematical concept|Down set lattice|other uses|Downset (disambiguation){{!}}Downset}} {{lowercase title}} {{more citations needed|date=August 2024}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = downset. | image = Downset (10).JPG | caption = Downset performing in Germany in 2023 | image_upright = 1.25 | alias = Social Justice (1989-1992) | origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | instrument = | genre = {{flatlist| * Rap metal * hardcore punk }} | years_active = {{hlist|1989–2009|2013–present}} | label = {{hlist|Theologian|Abstract|Mercury|Epitaph|Hawino|Nuclear Blast|End Hits}} | website = | current_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 band from Los Angeles, California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/news-hardcore-legends-downset-join-nuclear-blast-announce-reissues/|title=News: Hardcore Legends Downset Join Nuclear Blast, Announce Reissues|date=February 21, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}</ref> Originally called '''Social Justice''', the band's music blends influences from rap, funk, hardcore punk, and metal with "socially aware lyrics."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/downset-mn0000168110/biography | title=Downset | website=AllMusic | accessdate=April 16, 2015 | author=Huey, Steve}}</ref>

==Band history==

=== Formation and early releases (1989–1993) === The band's original moniker was Social Justice.<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=Virgin Books|date=2000|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0427-8|page=131}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/705281-Social-Justice-Unity-Is-Strength/images |title=Unity Is Strength Credits |type=liner notes |publisher=Lost and Found Records |id=LF136CD |access-date=May 7, 2026}}</ref> 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) === thumb|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.<ref name="Larkin90"/> In 1994, downset began gaining popularity in Europe after touring there with Biohazard and Dog Eat Dog,<ref name="Larkin90"/> 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.<ref name="Larkin90"/>

=== Post-Mercury years, ''Check Your People'' and ''Universal'' (1998–2009) === After making their departure from Mercury Records,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weekly |first=L. A. |date=2000-11-08 |title=Hard Knocks |url=https://www.laweekly.com/hard-knocks/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=LA Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2014 |title=Downset discuss 10 year wait between albums, their influence |url=https://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/downset-discuss-10-year-wait-between-albums-their-influence |website=Metalinsider.net |accessdate=December 4, 2019}}</ref>

=== Reunion and ''One Blood'' (2013–2014) === On July 21, 2014, Downset's first new album in ten years, ''One Blood'', was released worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2014-07-30 |title=DOWNSET: 'One Blood' Video Released |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/downset-one-blood-video-released/ |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-26 |title=Reunited Downset to release new album {{!}} Metal Insider |url=https://metalinsider.net/news/reunited-downset-to-release-new-album |access-date=2022-05-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 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".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2022-02-18 |title=DOWNSET Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST, Plots Sixth Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/downset-signs-with-nuclear-blast-plots-sixth-album/ |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2022-04-29 |title=DOWNSET Announces First Album In Eight Years', 'Maintain' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/downset-announces-first-album-in-eight-years-maintain |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> The album sold 200 copies in its first week of sales.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-21 |title=Lambgoat on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/lambgoat/status/1539378945811963904 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621224804/https://twitter.com/lambgoat/status/1539378945811963904 |archive-date=2022-06-21 |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

== 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vista Fanzine: Downset interview with Bassist: James Morris. 1996 |url=http://vistafanzine.blogspot.com/2012/03/downset-interview-with-bassist-james.html |website=Vistafanzine.blogspot.com |access-date=2017-05-11 |archive-date=2019-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212003301/http://vistafanzine.blogspot.com/2012/03/downset-interview-with-bassist-james.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Band members== '''Current''' *Rogelio Lozano – guitar (1990–1994, 1999–2002, 2013, 2019–present) *Phillip Gonzales – bass (2019–present) *Bobby Blood – 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 – 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.''' {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and sales amounts ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Sales |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| US Heat. <ref>''Billboard'' Heatseekers album positions: * ''Do We Speak a Dead Language?'': {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=downset.+1996&pg=PA22 |title=Billboard |date=1996-09-28 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en}} * ''Check Your People'': {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uRAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=downset.+2000&pg=PA24 |title=Billboard |date=2000-11-04 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| AUT <ref>{{Cite web |title=Downset. - Do We Speak A Dead Language? - austriancharts.at |url=https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Downset%2E&titel=Do+We+Speak+A+Dead+Language%3F&cat=a |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=austriancharts.at}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| GER <ref>{{Cite web |title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-8254 |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.offiziellecharts.de}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| UK <ref>{{Cite web |title=Chart Log UK: Asher D - Dyverse |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_D.HTM |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=www.zobbel.de}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''downset.'' | * Released: July 12, 1994<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=downset&pg=PA18 |title=Billboard |date=1994-07-30 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> * Label: Mercury * Format: CD, CS, LP | — || — || — || — | * WW: 275,000<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-01-24 |title=Interview: Downset |url=http://www.modernfix.com/interviews-2/interview-downset/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Modern Fix |language=en-US}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Do We Speak a Dead Language?'' | * Released: September 9, 1996<ref>{{Citation |title=Downset - Do We Speak a Dead Language? Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/do-we-speak-a-dead-language--mw0000649000 |language=en |access-date=2022-10-20}}</ref> * Label: Mercury * Format: CD, CS | 44 || 35 || 77 || 118 | |- ! scope="row"| ''Check Your People'' | * Released: October 17, 2000<ref>{{Citation |title=Downset - Check Your People Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/check-your-people-mw0000619899 |language=en |access-date=2022-10-20}}</ref> * Label: Epitaph * Format: CD, LP | 44 || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| ''Universal'' | * Released: June 1, 2004<ref>{{Citation |title=Downset - Universal Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/universal-mw0000329155 |language=en |access-date=2022-10-20}}</ref> * Label: Hawino * Format: CD | — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| ''One Blood'' | * Released: July 21, 2014<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2014-07-30 |title=DOWNSET: 'One Blood' Video Released |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/downset-one-blood-video-released/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> * Label: self-released * Format: CD | — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| ''Maintain'' | * Released: June 10, 2022 * Label: Nuclear Blast * Format: CD | — || — || — || — | |- | colspan="7" style="font-size:90%"| "—" 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== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{AllMusic|title=Downset}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060627110815/http://www.tonguesofdestruction.com/ Downset interview]  *[http://www.allmusic.com/album/check-your-people-r500744 ''Check Your People'' review at AllMusic] *[http://www.allmusic.com/album/universal-r684509/review ''Universal'' review at AllMusic]

Category:Musical groups established in 1989 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2009 Category:American rap metal musical groups Category:American funk metal musical groups Category:Hardcore punk groups from California Category:Epitaph Records artists Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles Category:American alternative metal musical groups Category:1989 establishments in California Category:End Hits Records artists