1st of November 2000 - A third album For Real!

As I don't walk in and out of the record store anymore, I totally missed the release of the third album: It is called "Check Your People" and there is a review available at Rocktribe. They also have an interview with Rey.

28th of May 1999 - A third album!

Some time ago I received an email from James with an extensive update:

Rob,
I just wanted to personally thank You for the awsome page. I have been 
scaning through it for a while now, and I'm sorry I havent written sooner. 
This is partly because Weve been EXTREMLY busy latley. Its also partly 
because of my inherent fear of all things computer, including the net.
Anyway I have just read all the entries in the guest book going all the way 
back to the begining.I am overwhelmed by the messages and positive 
rienforcment that people from all over the world have shown through the 
comments.
It is truly a heartfelt thanks that I give to You and all of them.
Downset is currently in the studio working on our 3rd album.
The bass and drums are done. Weve recorded 18 songs,and expect to put about 
10-13 on the actual album.The tracks were done at Sound City in Van Nuys Ca.
I am really happy with the new batch of stuff and I think its some of our 
best stuff so far.Guitars and vocals start on April 29th at Silver Cloud 
studios.
Weve taken a helluva long time to get to this point and I know its like We 
dropped off the face of the earth or somthing.This is what happened.
After the ozzfest in 97 we were really frayed as far as the relationships in 
the band.
We decided to take a few months off to get out of each others hair.(we'd 
basically been on the road for three years at that point.)
At this point we seriously drifted from one another as friends, And 
bitterness set in.
One thing this band has always had a problem with was inter-communication.
When we did try to get back and write, Rey was not happy with what he was 
hearing and we got even more upset. He,in turn became even more distant.
We cut a four song demo. The label kind of recieved it with a yawn and Rey 
stated that he didnt really like the stuff, Rey also wanted Roy Lozano back 
in the band and initially some of us thought that wasnt the right move.
So Rey moved even farther into disasociation with us.
Finally he quit and The future was left in question.
At this point Chris lee, Myself , and Brian Schwager decided to keep it 
together and look for a new singer under a different name.Rey pursued other 
interests.
This lasted about 3-4 months and one day Our manager called me and said Rey 
wanted to come back. But He relly wanted Roy in the situation. So We decided 
to Peacefully talk at a future date.
Meanwhile the hunt for a new singer hadnt really been going so well. The guys 
from Korn hooked us up with one of there friends,Jaime but that just didnt 
work out.
So We sat down with Rey and decided that it could be good to get Roy back in 
the band. Rey agreed to return and with him came Roy after nearly 2and a half 
years.
This all had elapsed over the course of a year and it was now 1998.We got to 
work on a new batch of songs. It felt good.There has always been certain 
tensions this band has had to get through and this last year has been no 
different. But the feeling was very positve.
We had all gone broke.I got a job(and still work) at a record store to help 
pay the bills.Everone had to make ends meet. Downset was at the bottom 
financially.
The label saw us as a band that was unreliable and hard to work with, due to 
our exstensive absence and lack of productivity.(only 4 songs in a year and a 
half?)
Downset was left with itself to gain it strength.A big part of our morale has 
been our producer Roy Z, who has been as much a fucking counciler as well as 
a producer and friend. If it wasnt for him, there is no way we would be here 
today.
At this point the bands relationship with our drummer Chris Lee went sour.He 
was expecting a second child, and while this fact was an issue it was NOT the 
deciding factor in the decision to let him go.I would only say that the 
reasons are a lot more extensive and are between the band and Chris. We wish 
him all the luck in the world with his new family and hope there is no ill 
feelings. 
The decision was made to call Chris Hamleton. a drummer from 
Philidelphia,We'd met Chris on the road and had become friends.He agreed to 
fly out and give it a shot.
After a shakey start,things have been moving well.Downset has written 18 
songs and demoed them.We thought things were finally about to turn around.
Then came "Black Thursday".
Polygram records had been bought out by Seagrams and the label was goiing to 
merge with Universal. All projects were put on hold. So we sat around 
wondering 
When,What,Where,Who and Why.
On that thursday The L.A. offices of Polygram were "liqudated" Out of 
something like 60 employees at Mercury, only 2 or so were left.Hundreds of 
employees at the various Polygram labels were let go.Universal was cleaning 
house. Not only with its emloyees, but with its band.We were told to sit 
tight. They'ed let us know, they said.
So we waited, and for 3 months we dangled.Rumors circulated. We were on, We 
were off. But no Official word.
Finally, out of over 200 bands on the Polygram roster,40 were kept.
We made the cut. Alegedlly downset was on the drop list but was added to the 
"review" list which was why it took so long to here a verdict in our 
situation. Musical limbo.
Then about a month ago the budget came through and we booked time in the 
studio.
We still dont have a real conection to our the new Mercury. No A&R to work 
with, No LA staff at all. But the point is the record is bieng made, the band 
is reaquainting itself with Roy, and aquainting itself with Chris H 
(deadbolt). the situation is working well. Its no walk in the park, but its 
better than its ever been. Lets try to keep it that way.
We played some shows, The Key club, the Troubador, as well as shows in San 
Diego,and Pheonix AZ.Its been awsome to play again.
Were looking forward to playing as soon as the album is done.We want to get 
on tour as soon as humanly possible.I want to apologize for Downset's 
absence,and I want to thank EVERYONE who has suppported a band that needs a 
lot of it.
Thanks, The album is due around Sept. 1. 99 but dont quote me on that.
Please write back to me if you can rob, Thank you.
James downset.

I asked James if the new album would be released in Europe aswell and according to him it definately will.

25th of June 1998 - Back!

Downset is definitely back together and they are working an a 3rd album. Can't wait for it...

13th of May 1998 - The end?

hey rob, it's chris from downset..... we had a meeting between the
original 5 members of downset...the talks were positive....we may do a
3rd album ??!!   chris

Sounds promising, doesn't it? At least they're trying!

21st Apr 1998 - This is the end

Rumours about downset having split up reached me by email (thanks DgtalScrem and FLATBLAST). Now Chris Lee's pages confirm this. Downset has reached the end. I know I don't have to tell you what a pity this is. I've been hoping for more than a year to go and see them live once more... Apparently they have differences of opinion. Allthough I haven't had much time to update this website the last couple of months, I will try and keep it up for those who discover the awesome music in time to come.

18th Nov 1997 - Chris mailed me

The snail-mail address for any mail regarding downset is:

downset.
13241 Fellows Ave
Sylmar, Ca. 91342
U.S.A.

17th Nov 1997 - James mailed me (I think)

He writes that they are writing on Downsets third album right now. They should go on tour within a few months from now (november). They don't have an e-mail address yet, but I'll let you know if they have: keep checking this page!

BTW: He likes these pages (smile)

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