Downset

with Dog Eat Dog, Madball at Local 186
by Beren
photo by Kristi Handfield

From the beginning of their set, Downset preached their political philosophy, not only to get the crowd involved, but to make them aware of the world around them. From the somber message about rape in “Ritual” to ranting and raving in “Anger” about how screwed up L.A. is, Downset are not a band to ignore difficult issues. In “Ritual,” Rey Oropeza ask us, “Do you know what it’s like to live in fear?” Their point is that we need to beware of sexual victimization, and to think of ways to fight it, as well as many other issues that victimize us. Other highlights included the title track “Downset” and “My American Prayer,” which deals with the sorry state of America. Throughout Downset’s set, the crowd defiantly showed that they got the messages as the pit tore apart.

The opening bands, Dog Eat Dog and Madball got the crowd moving with their brutal assaults. Madball is no stranger to the NYC scene, having three of the members of the infamous NYC hardcore band, Agnostic Front. Dog Eat Dog’s “No Front” has been getting recognition not only from the music industry but from Beavis and Butthead in specific. “Uh, like this was a good show or something.”