downset. are a rap metal group from Los Angeles, California. The band was originally known as Social Justice, and released their debut album Unity Is Strength in 1989. They followed this with the EP I Refuse To Lose. In 1992, Social Justice changed their name to downset., and released their debut album on Abstract Records in 1994. The album was praised by critics, and brought various social issues up front in their songs, among them, the death of lead singer Rey Oropeza's father by the LAPD. Later in 1994, downset. signed a deal with Mercury Records. They followed up their debut with Do We Speak A Dead Language? in 1996. They released their 3rd album, Check Your People in 2000 on Epitaph Records. That same year, rumours swirled that Oropeza was to replace Zach de la Rocha as the lead vocalist in Rage Against The Machine, among others, such as Chris Cornell, Chuck D, and B-Real of Cypress Hill. Cornell eventually was chosen, and Rage Against The Machine became Audioslave. In 2004, downset. released their latest album, Universal on Hawino Records. Though downset. has never cracked the Billboard charts or had any mainstream success, they are still considered a major influence in the nu-metal subgenre, and have headlined the second stage at Ozzfest 1997. As well, they've toured with Linkin Park, Slayer, Metallica and Anthrax, among others.

Albums

• Unity Is Strength (As Social Justice, 1989)
• I Refuse To Lose (Also as Social Justice, EP, 1989)
• Our Suffocation (EP, 1994)
• downset. (1994)
• Do We Speak A Dead Language? (1996)
• Check Your People (2000)
• Cold Blue Coma (EP, 2000)
• Universal (2004)

Band Members

• Rey Oropeza - Vocals
• Ares Schwager - Guitar
• Rico Villasenor - Bass
• Chris Lee - Drums

Former Band Members

• Don Ward - Guitar
• Rogelio Lozano - Guitar
• Andrew Klein - Guitar
• James Morris - Bass
• Chris Hamilton - Drums

External Links

• downset.'s official website
• downset. fan page
• Mercury Records' official website
• Epitaph Records' offical website
• Hawino Records' official website