MusicJournoDowntime (Australian hardcore)
June 4th 2006 03:50
Downtime, original lineup, from the filmclip 'Monkey'
Some MP3s from MP3.com.au
(right click and save)...
Monkey - from the album 'Tooth and Nail' (1997).
Going Down (Too Many Times) - from the EP 'First in Line' (2001)
Dissident - from the album 'Lose Yourself' (1995)
Downtime (a Sydney band) was formed in 1994 after guitarist/vocalist Billy Hughes left Toe to Toe. He formed the band with drummer Brendan Peace (with whom he had been in King Pest, a post-high school band, back in 1988) and James Meek (who had kicked on from the now legendary band Massappeal) on bass. They pumped out some releases shortly after forming and scored a spot on the Big Day Out bill in 1994. This helped catapault them onto a variety of high profile shows... they played the Vans Warped Tour in 1997 and Alternative Nation, and got some juicy support slots with touring international bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, Fu Manchu, SNFU, Sex Pistols, All, Pennywise and Bad Religion. They were signed to Shock Records, who I think released pretty much all of their CDs.
By 1997 they had released their second album, 'Tooth and Nail', featuring the track 'Monkey', a popular song which helped gain them some airplay and got them on a lot of punk compilation CDs. A film clip was even filmed, their only one.
Bassist James Meek left the band in 1998 and went on to play in Seconds Away. These days he can be found in the bands Grand Fatal and Twin City Faction. He was replaced by Eric Groethe Jr, also a first grade Rugby League player for Parramatta Eels at the time and son of famed Eels played Eric Groethe. Groethe played bass in the band for a short while but it conflicted with his League schedule too much and he was eventually replaced by Dave Dunn. By this stage drummer Brenden Peace had left as well and he was replaced by Percy Ricaud.
'Tooth and Nail'
After this lineup shuffling the band finally got it's shit together again and released an EP 'First in Line' in 2001, which was to be followed shortly after by a third album. The song 'Payday' from this EP got some airplay on Triple J. However by this time (2002) the band had sort of drifted away and were no longer playing shows. A third album never appeared. As far as I know, guitarist/vocalist Billy Hughes hasn't played in any bands since.
DISCOGRAPHY
'Downtime' - 7" record (1994)
'Lose Yourself' - album (1995)
'Break Him' - EP (1995)
'Tempered' - stand alone single (1996)
'Tooth and Nail' - album (1997)
'Monkey' - promo single (1998)
'First in Line' - EP (2001)
The song 'What is Black' (alternative recording) was featured on the comp 'Neoteny' in 1994 or thereabouts.
A cover of Bad Brains' 'Rock for Light' was featured on the comp 'Rock' in 1999.
If you're looking to pick up one of their releases and don't know where to start (and I think some or all of their CDs would probably be available in variouis second hand CD stores like Red Eye Records in Sydney) I would reccommend starting with the album 'Tooth and Nail', every song on it is a winner, it's a very strong album and it was probably their most listened-to release.
There are no longer any websites for Downtime.
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Comment by Anonymous
The Original Lineup had Sean No Deal on Bass. He also appeared on the first EP "Downtime"
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
That 7" is the only thing of theirs I don't have.
I wish I could host MP3s, I've got some unreleased stuff of theirs that turned up on their website way, way back.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
He's playing in the reformed Toe to Toe now too I've heard
Comment by Anonymous
RIP Billy.
Our love goes out to His Family and friends
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Packy
fuck,.