Downset.

Infobox musical artist
Name = downset.


Img_capt = The current line-up (from L to R): Ares (guitar), Rico Villasenor (bass), Chris Lee (drums), Rey Oropeza (vocals)
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Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
Alias = Social Justice
Born =
Died =
Origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Instrument =
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Genre = Hardcore punk Rapcore
Occupation =
Years_active = 1989 – Present
Label = Mercury Records Epitaph Records Hawino Records
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URL =
Current_members = Rey Oropeza Ares Schwager Chris Lee Rico Villasenor
Past_members = Don Ward Rogelio Lozano Andrew Klein James Morris Chris Hamilton
Notable_instruments =

downset. is a rapcore / hardcore punk group hailing from Los Angeles, California.

Band history

The band's original moniker was Social Justice. 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. (What would become downset.) They are also known for being one of the first hardcore bands to incorporate hip hop and funk influences into their music.

In 1992, Social Justice (1987-92) changed their name to downset., and released their "Our Suffocation" demo in 1993.

The album was praised by critics, exploring various social issues in their songs, such as the death of lead singer Rey Oropeza's father by the hands of the LAPD.

Later in 1994, downset. signed a deal with Mercury Records, a subsidiary of Polygram Records, and released their self-titled effort in the same year. In 1996, the band released their most commercially successful album, "Do We Speak A Dead Language?", through Mercury.

Making their departure from Mercury Records, downset. were scooped up by Epitaph Records and released their 3rd album, "Check Your People" in 2000. That same year, rumours circulated that Oropeza was to resume Rage Against the Machine's Zack de la Rocha vocalist position after Zack left. Other replacement contenders were Chris Cornell, Chuck D, and B-Real of Cypress Hill. Cornell was ultimately chosen, and Rage Against the Machine transfigured into Audioslave.

After many line-up changes (most notably, the loss of long-time downset. guitar player, Rogelio Lozano and the addition of original drummer, Chris Lee), in 2004 downset. released their latest album, "Universal", on independent record label Hawino Records.

Though downset. has never breached the Billboard charts or experienced any mainstream success, they are still regarded as a noteworthy influence within the nu metal & rap-metal subgenres. In addition to headlining the second stage at Ozzfest 1997, they've toured with Linkin Park, Slayer, Metallica and Anthrax, among many other prominent metal names.

Band members

Current

*Rey Oropeza - vocals
*Ares Schwager - Guitar
*Rico Villasenor - Bass Guitar
*Chris Lee - drums

Former

*Rogelio Lozano - Guitar
*Andrew Klein - Guitar
* [http://www.supervillainrocks.com James Morris] - Bass
*Chris Hamilton - Drums

Discography

Albums

*"downset." (Self-Titled) (1994)
*"Do We Speak A Dead Language?" (1996)
*"Check Your People" (2000)
*"Universal" (2004)

EPs

*"Our Suffocation" (1994)
*"Cold Blue Coma" (2000)

External links

* [http://www.downset.net/ downset.'s official website]
* [http://downset.wise-ass.nl/ downset. homepage official reliable Lyrics and background]
* [http://www.downset.tk/ downset. fan page]
* [http://www.mercuryrecords.com/ Mercury Records' official website]
* [http://www.epitaph.com/ Epitaph Records' official website]
* [http://www.supervillainrocks.com Supervillain James Morris current project]
* [http://www.hawino.com/ Hawino Records' official website]
* [http://www.tonguesofdestruction.com DOWNSET interview]