Buddy's Place
Down Fan Chastises Powell
RECEIVED Tue., Dec. 2, 2008
To Austin Powell,
I'm writing regarding your review of the Metallica/Down show in Houston [“Off the Record,” Music, Nov. 28]. Your dismissal of Down was uncalled for and misinformed. To say they should have been axed from the show is discounting all of the people who came to see Down and Metallica. Why do you think Down was on the bill? These men are lifers; they have all played in credible bands before (Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar, Eyehategod) and continue to make music that people want to hear. Hardcore, metal, punk, hellbillys, all types of people are attracted to this band, and it brings all of us together. If anyone knows about dancing with death, it's got to be Phil Anselmo. He speaks for a generation of fans who refuse to go away.
Down is not "sludge.” Have you listened to their CDs? “Stone the Crow,” “Stained Glass Cross,” “Lies,” “Landing on the Mountains of Meggido,” “Nothing in Return (Walk Away)” … none of these can be called sludge. “Stone the Crow” is more reminiscent of old Southern rock if anything. They are well-thought-out songs with something to say, look up the lyrics. Give some respect for the work put into them. You can have your opinion, but I would like to read an actual review of the show, not a one sentence dismissal of a band that obviously has a lot of love from their fans, fans like Metallica. That's why they were on that bill. Because they make the music they love no matter what and we appreciate them for it.
I'm writing regarding your review of the Metallica/Down show in Houston [“Off the Record,” Music, Nov. 28]. Your dismissal of Down was uncalled for and misinformed. To say they should have been axed from the show is discounting all of the people who came to see Down and Metallica. Why do you think Down was on the bill? These men are lifers; they have all played in credible bands before (Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar, Eyehategod) and continue to make music that people want to hear. Hardcore, metal, punk, hellbillys, all types of people are attracted to this band, and it brings all of us together. If anyone knows about dancing with death, it's got to be Phil Anselmo. He speaks for a generation of fans who refuse to go away.
Down is not "sludge.” Have you listened to their CDs? “Stone the Crow,” “Stained Glass Cross,” “Lies,” “Landing on the Mountains of Meggido,” “Nothing in Return (Walk Away)” … none of these can be called sludge. “Stone the Crow” is more reminiscent of old Southern rock if anything. They are well-thought-out songs with something to say, look up the lyrics. Give some respect for the work put into them. You can have your opinion, but I would like to read an actual review of the show, not a one sentence dismissal of a band that obviously has a lot of love from their fans, fans like Metallica. That's why they were on that bill. Because they make the music they love no matter what and we appreciate them for it.
Jeanne Lemieux