Well, ‘Down’ means the farthest point at the bottom, and ‘Set’ means to be put there so ,..’Downset’ = to be placed at the bottom. Rey made it up. We originally had some funny names as Concrete, but changed it to Downset after Rey brought it to us…

I remember when you used to be called LA Downset – so are you guys still based in LA?

Yeah we adopted the LA prefix in the name for the first year or so (1993), and dropped it as we signed with Mercury Records later that year. We wanted, like a lot of others in our day, to do all the work ourselves and put the neighborhood on the map, so by adding the LA, all the homies got some pride from it too…

Who formed the band and what was the reason behind forming it?

The band actually formed in the late 1980’s as a punk band from Sylmar, California, called Social Justice. Rey and 4 others from the neighborhood doing punkrock in a total diy fashion… The band split in 1990 after the Unity Is Strength 12” was released. Rey started it back up in 1991 and needed fresh blood and raw talent. So, via Graff(iti) and the scene, Rey, myself, Roy Lozano, James Morris, and Don Ward became the new Social Justice. We made a 7” called I Refuse To Lose on another of our own labels, and grew quite a buzz very quickly. The sound was new, and fresh and wasn’t really punk or ‘hardcore’ anymore… So, we decided to take a stab at the real recording world… We changed the name, cleaned it up a taste, got a new guitarist (Ares) and voila!

Did you guys have any formal musical training?

Ares had some I believe. We are all mostly self / ear taught. I know some of us can read music, but it’s for the most part just in us naturally. We all have a passion for music and so it will stay…

Were / Are you guys taggers or gang bangers?

NEITHER! We are all (except Rico) artists that happen to also use mediums that some may find offensive. We all have deep roots in our neighborhoods, and our ‘culture’. Graff is a way of life for us a medium of expression, just like music and such. Between Ares, Rey, and myself we find Graff as an inspiration and a form of expression. Tag bangers are disillusioned fools that want to be soldiers for their neighborhood and at the same time be peaceful artists,.. the 2 do not mix at all. Taggers are just kids that write their names everywhere for quick fame among other writers.. WE ARE DIFFERENT! We approach Graff as an expressive art from and portray that in our art. Sure, we may go hit freights, heavens, whatever, but not out to destroy, but to create!

To me you were one of the first rap metal bands so how do you feel about the other rap metallers out there like RageATM making it big?

Great for them. Too bad most of the ‘commercialized’ bands have taken from us without us getting our props! I like a lot of RATM’s music as well as the others’, simply because I feel proud like a daddy ya know? This is sorta my baby and to see so many people adore and strive for it..it’s great! I have no issues with any of them making it big....but I want people to know who the O.G’s are – the ‘set!!

Why do you not think you’re as big as these other bands? Do you think that being intimidating with your lyrics and having gang members at your shows has made it difficult to market you as a mainstream band?

Yes and no. We have always known that our style was hard for labels to accept and market. We also know that our people are not the most nicely dressed or nice mannered people to boot, BUT.. we also have had such a root in the So Cal music scene that we cannot be ignored as some have tried to do. Our lyrics are not intimidating to me, but testaments of the times here in our hometown. Sure, we tackle some deep, and jagged issues, but that’s for the good of all, not just the band. LISTEN, you’d be surprised .. under all that anger and fury is a well versed timetable of the trials and tribulations of the band and especially Rey. It’s all about the homies and the love! Gang members? C’mon now. See the definition of that! LOL… Do we REALLY fit? Alright, I’ll quit while I’m ahead….

It seems that RageATM and other rap metallers also try to create controversy themselves so do you think its because you are real and from the street that sets you apart?

Being REAL and from the streets we talk about for sure sets us apart! I don’t think that has much bearing on the others’ runnin’ lips for fame. We never go off on something we know little or nothing of and others have. We have no beefs with these people, but I just wish that if they REALLY had a message they could use their medium as we do. Forget all the beefs, all the stories, all that. This is about music and messages.. LIFE! Life is full of controversy isn’t it? So maybe it’s a good thing!

Can you tell us a bit more about some of the social and political beliefs that you have – why are you guys so angry?

We all have very different views on all topics! That is part of the downset. Ideology. We are a musical melting pot of ideas, theories, and walks of life. We all have distinctive tastes that bring us together, but in the end we are very different people which shows through in the music, you hear all of our ideas and styles in one song, one idea. I think the anger comes from mental exhaustion at ignorance, and ignorant morale. We all have beliefs and stances that we take on issues. The vocal and lyrical fire is all Rey….

Why has it been so long since we last heard something from you guys?

Well the band is always evolving as all bands do, but Downset needed time to restructure and seek its roots. We went through some drastic lineup changes stemming from about 1995. We wrote a lot of songs, and did a lot of local work . We actually regrouped as all original members for a brief time at two points over 4 years .... but all BS aside .. here we are!

How did you hook up with Hawino Records?

We hooked up with Kyle and Hawino through coincidence or by accident. A good friend of ours, Ricky from Strapt was very good friends with Kyle Gilmore [owner of Hawino]. Kyle was starting his own label and was looking for acts to sign and work with. Ricky and Kyle had already known about us and our music. I think Kyle has been involved in the So Cal hardcore and music scenes for a while, so he knew about the whole scene and what it was about. We met up with him, he came out to a few shows and there was a really good chemistry, and we all got along well so we decided we’d work with him. It continues to be a great relationship as well.

You’re now down to a 4 piece so why the reshuffle – is it a problem to find musicians in LA or just to find people that you trust?

Since ‘Do We Speak a Dead Language’ came out we’ve had a revolving lineup. Roy left first. Then me. Then it was like musical musicians after that. No one was getting along, blah blah blah.. (laughing) The band just keeps evolving. The four piece seems to work best. It worked awesome during the DWSADL tours, etc. We tried doing all OG members, for a bit, but James wanted to pursue other interests. Roy left. We obtained Rico, and there it is. It’s not hard to find heads to play in L.A. nor is it hard to find trustworthy people, well, ok, maybe that’s a bit hard, but it’s more hard to find people that you click with on a musical level and a mental level. That’s important to be able to vibe on each other.

Can you tell us about the meaning behind songs like “Check Your People” and “Universal”?

‘Check Your People’ is pretty self explanatory. Be aware of your crowd and the company you keep. Your so called friends might be out to screw you over, ya know? Caution is golden sometimes. ‘Universal’ was the theme of the album before we started writing. Rey wanted to keep the theme of Universal for the entire session, so we kept that theory of global, universal, bring it to all, our music and our message. We want it to be heard and felt by everyone everywhere. By having a social conscience that we’re all in this together, we make it UNIVERSAL!

Just going back to your social consciousness, you have some of the most amazing artwork for your inlay covers etc that I’ve ever seen – where do you get this from?

Thank you, our art is part of who we are. We try to keep all our affairs close knit and our album designs and art is no exception. Coming from the top L.A. crews, we have our homies do most of the art. We’ve had Mear do most of our early work. Axis has always done stuff for us. (He’s also the guitarist for Drunk With Power with me, Ares, and Rico) We had Hex do the art on this run, I’ve always admired Hex’s style. He is truly on of the worlds best. A lot of our basis is on the DIY theorem. We have all made t’s stickers, posters, 7”’s, etc. and had a lot of fun plastering L.A. with the stuff too! We get this art from a love our freedom of expression and our and our friends creative talents.

Can you tell us more about street graffiti as an art form?

Well to the average Joe on the beat, he don’t know jack about Graff, or the differences in the styles, types, etc. Obviously as in all forms of art have different opinions on what is pleasing and what is good. Same rules go in Graff. You have toys (wannabies) that have no clue of what they’re really wanting to do and ruin for the rest of the real writers. We have the toys writing they’re names all over everything, and then you go the true artists bustin’ real shit, freights, heavens, yards, putting up real shit, no chicken scratch fame, just pure aerosolic expression!

How does the City of LA view street graffiti and does it have a future?

This city hates us as do most. But L.A. and NYC got mad writers, getting mad fame in mad spots ..(laughing) Graff’s been around forever, and it will be ..hieroglyphics... Egyptian tombs... all the same bro! Expression of the times, just now Krylon made it easier. Now they got companies here and in Europe making supplies just for graffiti art, like Sparvar and Montana paints....dope stuff too! We will always be around, whatever they call us. Persecute and prosecute is the game the man plays with us .. life is life in any form good and bad ..just roll with it…

Are any of the band involved in any side projects besides Downset?

Oh, yes!! We all have our extended outlets for creativity!! Me, Ares, and Rico play in a band called Drunk With Power, with Axis. Ares, and Rico (who came from Tura Satana and Manhole) are always working on stuff. Rey is always busting rhymes and workin’ on new ideas. I have a project tentatively called Jodoh that I’m working on…. all kinds of goodies!

Many thanks again Chris.

Thank you very much Shan and Battlehelm for the time and to all of you reading this!