DownStruck is an up-and-coming hard rock band from the greater Philadelphia area born in summer 2009 from the merger of bands Triple Shot and Slaughter Beach. It happened when Slaughter Beach frontman Bill Bradford joined up with the remaining members of Triple Shot, Jim Preto and Ryan Popejoy, and the threesome built instant chemistry. After holding numerous auditions, the band found the perfect fit for a bassist with their current fill in Jay Roemhild and decided to move on as DownStruck in October of 2009.
Feeling the pieces in place, they guys hit the studio for over two months, working with engineer and producer Will Yip (Papa Roach, CKY, Blacklisted, King Sunny Ade, Cradle of Filth) in legendary Studio 4. Yip got the best out of Bill, Jim, Jay, and Ryan as the band recorded an EP later mastered by former Thursday guitarist Bill Henderson. The band learned that "being in the studio was a totally different experience then performing live," they write by email. "We came out of it better musicians from that experience."
DownStruck's music is difficult to categorize. There are hints of acts like Guns N' Roses, Alice in Chains, White Zombie, Led Zeppelin, Alter Bridge, Thin Lizzy, Pantera, Motorhead and Soundgarden, at least that I can tell. But, asked for a comment on their sound, the group's overall consensus is that they're "Loud, Hard, and Sexy too!" And they like to think of themselves riding that hard line between "Hard rock and Heavy metal."
Listening to DownStruck, the drums and vocals are impressive, while their guitar and bass stand out with intensity. The intensity grows with excellent proficiency, and strong instrumentation that communicates the listener with ease. It's a total package that remains interesting and enjoyable throughout. These elements will help DownStruck satisfy almost any listener. During a live show DownStruck has plenty of energy that keeps the crowd's excitement really high, while making the show enjoyable. And as the guys say, the shows are filled with "Just good hard rock!"
For more information go to www.myspace.com/downstruck or e-mail dstruckrocks@yahoo.com. Check them out on Facebook and ReverbNation!
