Down Has Seven Songs Written: ‘We’re Supposed To Get Together Again In April’
Down drummer Jimmy Bower was recently interviewed by LaughingMonkeyMusic’s Shawn Ratches and confirmed that the band has started writing a new album! As you know, the supergroup hasn’t released anything since the “Down IV – Part Two” EP back in May 2014. We’re due.
Ratches said, “We got together about a month or two ago, and we were practicing with just me, Pat (Bruders, bass), Kirk (Windstein, guitar) and Pepper (Keenan, guitar). Phil (Anselmo, vocals) lives on the other side of the lake (in Louisiana). We got together over at his house for a weekend, and we have seven songs, man. We’re supposed to get together again in April, and then talk about recording, trying to get this thing out.”
Ratches continues, “Phil’s amazing to write with because he’s really good with arranging, and he’s just really witty with his arrangements and bridges and stuff like that, that, I’d be, like, ‘Damn, I would have never thought of that.’ And that’s the beautiful thing about Down — it’s a room filled with dudes that are witty with their songwriting and stuff like that. We can write all day without Phil, but when he’s there, it’s that much better. It really is. ‘Cause he’d be, like, ‘Do this four times. Go into the bridge, then go back to the verse, and then we’ll do a pre-chorus, and next thing you know, you’ve got a killer song.”
“He’s such a songwriter, it’s ridiculous. And he’s super, super fucking talented. Sometimes I read comments about people’s misconceptions, and I just hold my tongue. ‘Cause I know the truth. The dude can jam his ass off. It’s just really fun to write with Phil. He’s always in a killer mood, especially when we’re being creative. We’ve been in so many bands together.”
Down has been relatively quiet in the last lil’ while – they did play some shows in the spring/summer of ’22.
Their last album, 2014’s “Down IV – Part Two”, sold 10,000 copies in the U.S. and debuted #23 on The Billboard 200 chart. It was recorded at Nodferatu’s Lair — Anselmo’s home studio. It’s likely they’re doing the same for the new music.
Down’s last album debuted #23 on The Billboard 200. Do you think the new album will crack the Top 20? Based on Phil touring with Pantera again and all the buzz that’s creating – I think it will.
