Music
Press
"The sophomore full-length from Detroit-based funky fucked-up punk/ska/metal experiment DOWNTOWN BROWN is quite possibly even further outside metal's realm than their debut. But they have metal in their hearts and are fluid, varied musicians who've released an entertaining explosion once again. With heaps of humor, quirk and upbeat high school dance corniness fueling pop-punk anthems while going head-to-head with goofy 80's metal, an occassional swweeeeet jam session and an all-around blues/funk rock vibe, DOWNTOWN BROWN are a really good listen for when the bong is (or was) loaded for sure. This is what Adam Sandler's power metal party project might sound like. Equal influences from all ends - Sublime to Suicidal Tendencies, Manowar to Maiden, Clutch to Clapton -- like a big ol cock-rock karaoke enema."
- METAL MANIACS MAGAZINE
"Here's a trio that throws you a curve, then another one, and another one and on and on. Detroit's DOWNTOWN BROWN is a hip, entertaining, and addictive mix of everything from balls out metal to CHILI PEPPERS funk to punk rock, all with a healthy dash of smartass humor. Any metalhead will be won over by the opening track, "Welcome to the Acropolis." It's a head banging musical rollercoaster ride that kicks all kinds of ass, and alone is worth the price of admission. Energetic frontman Neil P's party vibe and vocal rhythms are a big hook, but the band's instrumental work is just as jaw dropping. DOWNTOWN BROWN is not musical anarchy or lame silliness. These guys know exactly what they're doing, and prove it by maintaining their own unique sound and attitude throughout the musical journey here."
- PIT MAGAZINE
"Quirky would be a compliment to give to this eclectic Detroit trio...Downtown Brown throws convention, genre, and sometimes good taste out the window, but always retain its virtuoso musical ability, as the massive range of music covered here (despite the comical nature of much of the lyrics) is a marvel to behold. Well, that and the Lorenzo Lamas cover “Smooth Talker”. Teetering on the fine line between stupid and clever, Downtown Brown’s undeniable musicianship and tongue in cheek sense of humor puts them in the league of bands like Mr. Bungle, NOFX, and Gwar, where the listener isn’t sure if the joke is on us or them. Whichever the case, be prepared to laugh, rock, be grossed out, but above all, be thoroughly entertained."
- SKRATCH MAGAZINE
"...the one thing that took me out of my mild depression over the death of Dimebag Darrell. Yes, it's that entertaining...The band masterfully mixes funk, punk, ska, rock, soul, and even a bit of metal, sometimes in the same song...As intentionally goofy as the lyrics are, don't look past the exceptional musicianship and knack for creating catchy tunes. Vocalist/guitarist Neil P. whips out some smokin' guitar licks and solos too...always interesting, outrageously funny, and hook-laden...made me think of Frank Zappa ...Every song is a treat; you'll not want to skip past any of these righteous tracks. This much fun should be illegal. You need a little Downtown Brown in your life."
- LIVE 4 METAL WEBZINE
"...a sillier, more stylistically varied Electric Six...Song styles vary from track to track and even within single songs. In the excellent punk show danger parody "Sit in the Pit", Downtown Brown somehow moves from a hair-band ballad opening to a Blink - 182 bridge to a syrupy climax and back to hair band again(and pounds a final emo nail in the song's coffin: "I guess this is growing up". Suffice to say there's something for everyone on the group's latest, self - titled release..."
- DETROIT FREE PRESS
"4.5 (out of 5)... DOWNTOWN BROWN are the most entertaining act in all of Detroit... this album contains some of the best solos I've heard come out of any local band since RON ASHETON tore it up with THE STOOGES... as engrossing as a true rock and roll album can get... the ultimate weapon against the Puddle of Creed resistance." - REAL DETROIT WEEKLY
"...Downtown Brown, a group that incorporates Mr. Bungle’s funk and weirdness, Tenacious D’s warped storytelling, White Snake-cheesy, ‘80s arena rock, and the most common comparison of Sublime’s SoCal reggae...Kicking off the album with “Welcome to the Acropolis,” the band pounds out an inspiring piece of music that would bring any Jesus freak to believe that his savior his finally coming...“Sit in the pit,” is a bittersweet, humorous ballad of the infamously violent Punk show mosh pit...It’s hard to grasp if Neil. P is actually trying sing with conviction or just being the smart ass that he is. One of the more powerful tracks is the instrumental, “Free Charlie,” which begins with a catchy guitar line and propels into a deliciously simple, yet powerful statement from the band...Motor City has something coming—no, it’s not a reincarnation of MC5, it’s not the latest Ford, and it’s not the latest figures on Detroit’s high crime rate. It’s Downtown Brown, and in the words Neil. P, “We are the leadaz uv rokk.”" - CDREVIEWS.COM
Discography
DINOSAURS WITH LAZERS -- CD -- 2002 BACK ALLEY MUSIC
MOIST AND RIDICULOUS -- CD -- 2002 STATIC RECORDS
S/T -- CD -- 2004 CHOCOLATE STAIN RECORDS
LIVE ...and SWEATY -- CD/DVD -- 2005 CHOCOLATE STAIN RECORDS
I LOVE BURGERS -- CD -- 2006 CHOCOLATE STAIN RECORDS
STUPIDGAYDVD -- DVD -- 2007 CHOCOLATE STAIN RECORDS
BACK FROM THE DEAD -- CD -- 2009 CHOCOLATE STAIN RECORDS
Photos
Bio
FOR VIDEO, VISIT:
http://www.youtube.com/dtbtv
OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
http://www.dtbmusic.com
NON-SONICBIDS EPK:
http://www.dtbmusic.com/press.html
“…sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers with a Mr. Bungle enema…this shit is hilarious…spastic and funky as hell with all types of changeups that range from funk to metal on the drop of a dimebag.”
-Metal Maniacs Magazine
Culminating a weird mutant sound through rapid juxtapositions between rock, metal, punk, funk and experimental, the shape-shifting entity known as DOWNTOWN BROWN has forged a diverse sound that is as fully developed as well as it is broadly enjoyable. DTB has hypnotized thousands throughout the country with their highly-entertaining live show, long pursuing a grassroots mission to unite the people of the world in an environment where “no man shall feel stupid for wearing a giant foam cowboy hat.” Their quest has hammered on since 2001, with numerous independent albums to boot – all of which garnered strong reviews from both international and local publications, most notably METAL MANIACS and PIT MAGAZINE.
2002 marked the release of DTB’s first full-length album, “Moist and Ridiculous” Since, DTB has released a total of three full-length albums, a live album which captured the fury of their live show and two feature-length DVDs. This media was all released on the band’s own imprint, CHOCOLATE STAIN RECORDS, selling thousands of copies nationally and internationally.
DTB adopted a rigid tour schedule early on, firmly establishing themselves first in the Midwest and then throughout the entire US through several self-booked national tours. These jaunts took them from coast to coast playing such notable venues as the KNITTING FACTORY in NYC and the VIPER ROOM in LA. The band was also personally invited by WARPED TOUR founder Kevin Lyman to play multiple dates on both the ‘06 and ‘07 tours. In their travels, DTB has shared the stage with numerous industry mainstays including SLIGHTLY STOOPID, PEPPER, ANDREW WK, HORSE THE BAND, MC CHRIS, THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE AQUABATS, ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES and the late WESLEY WILLIS.
“It’s not easy,” states singer/guitarist Neil P, whose sole creative vision has been the lifeblood of the band since its inception. “Putting out records and touring the country with absolutely no label support or monetary backing is stressful to say the least, especially when your band is impossible to categorize. But after every show, we stand alone as the most unique and entertaining band on the bill. It is our duty to provide the public with something different.”
…and something different is undoubtedly what DOWNTOWN BROWN provides.
"DOWNTOWN BROWN is a hip, entertaining and addictive mix of everything from balls out metal to funk to punk rock, all with a healthy dash of smartass humor ...DOWNTOWN BROWN is not musical anarchy or lame silliness ...these guys know exactly what theyre doing, and prove it by maintaining their own unique sound and attitude."
-Pit Magazine
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