Music
Press
Duo Downtown/Union—possibly once the earthiest of all the L.A. two pieces, thanks to a rough and healthy rock ‘n’ roll sound and an apparent house rule of keeping number-of-chords equal to number-of-members as often as possible—were already promising regulars on a certain club circuit before they reinforced their line-up with the Henry Clay People’s Siara brothers. Now a four-piece on the new album Aurora Ahora, they go happily skidding into the best sound they’ve found so far. Rock ‘n’ Roll-era Mekons are all over this—loud, sad and wild despite the wider world—along with righteous give-a-fuckers like the Replacements, Sherbert-era Chilton and even the later Feelies. Downtown/Union is a heartland-style rock band with a handle on heartbreak, too.
-Chris Ziegler - OC WEEKLY
It's easy to turn a great two piece-band into a really great quartet. The hard part is actually becoming an outstanding duo. Downtown/Union's core members-Bo Bory and Jeff Electric-have been one of the better guitar/drum duos on the Eastside for a long time. The notion of adding the Siara brothers-Joey (guitar) and Andy (bass) of the Henry Clay People- seems almost TOO good an idea, but the new quartet comes through with ten songs of classic indie guitar rock. Aurora Ahora has a timeless feel that would find an eager fan base in any city with beers, broads and bleeding hearts. I've got to say for a pair grungy indie rockers, Bory and Electric write some pretty ballads. In fact, "Blood and Wine", featuring one of Joey Siara's best recorded solos, in my opinion is the standout track on the disc. The brothers Siara don't overwhelm the barroom bluster with their tendencies toward Americana and lengthy solos, and their backup vocals really pack the calories onto each track. The end result sounds clearly like a Downtown/Union recording, but even better. I'm looking forward to hearing them as an eight-piece.
-Scott Shultze, LA RECORD - LA RECORD
Downtown/Union, “Aurora Ahora” (self-released) — This album fits nicely into my indie-rock pantheon … circa 1991. Maybe I’m guilty of a moment of nostalgia, but the work of Bo Bory and Jeff Electric — abetted by frenetic brothers Joey and Andy Siara of the Henry Clay People — gets lovingly shelved with Dinosaur Jr., Buffalo Tom, Superchunk and various garage-rockers of that era whose honest, rough-hewn rock ‘n’ roll you could either shout or sing along to. D/U adds its own twists, including occasional keyboards and horns, but even at its most basic “Aurora” still sounds fresh. Recommended.
-Kevin Bronson
www.buzzbands.la - Buzz Bands
Downtown / Union have been dear friends for years and TONIGHT they are celebrating the release of their fabulous new album Aurora Ahora. Mouse over at Classical Geek Theatre said it best - They are "the underdog superheroes of the Los Angeles rock world." The band's stripped down Pavement meets The Replacements sound was fleshed out on this record with the addition of Joey and Andy Siara of The Henry Clay People on guitars. The record still highlights their amazing ability to write a killer rock n' roll song while always maintaining a fun happy go lucky vibe with everything they do. Every song they write is a sing a long. Bo and Jeff Electric are seriously my heroes. -Ashley Jex - rockinsiderblogspot.com
Downtown/Union like to cut through the fat: one listen to the opening track of their debut LP "Aurora Ahora" (it'll take days to get over that kind of clever) and you'll pull back the thin veil to the outfit's updated take on roots rock. Not much is left to the lyrical imagination, which isn't at all a negative. With help from two members of the Henry Clay People, Downtown/Union like to show off the distortion and shout anthem riffs, all sans the indie rock pretense. An exciting preview into the debut, set to release on April 30 with a release party and set at The Echo. -The Deli LA - The Deli-LA
Discography
Six Song Super Set EP,
Aurora Ahora LP
Wooden Lips Split 7"
Superstitions of You EP
Photos
Bio
Downtown/Union came alive as a two-piece. Their influences are many and vary from Bob Dylan to Guided By Voices to The Oblivians and The Replacements. With the esoteric mind of singer/guitarist, Bo Bory, and the wildly rhythmic heartbeat of drummer, Jeff Electric, D/U fused together one smog filled night in Los Angeles. Like Frankenstein's musical monster, their ruckus roared across Silverlake and down Sunset Blvd, prompting curious passerbys to stop and peek into the dimly lit storefront doubling as an impromptu rehearsal space. A lady walking her dog stopped to dance in the doorway, a couple of teens leaned against the bus stop post outside to have a smoke and nod their heads, a young kid with a harmonica asked to sit in on a song, two Japanese tourist riding by in a taxi heard the sounds and stopped to knock on the door, asking if they could come in and listen (true story). The boys found that this happened to them a lot... everywhere they played, friends, people from the audience, other band members, would find the music infectious enough to ask them if they could jam with them, or sit in, or even join the band. After releasing a well-received EP as a two-piece, the boys were made an offer they couldn't refuse. Joey and Andy Siara from the up and coming Los Angeles band The Henry Clay People offered to join the band and D/U enthusiastically excepted. The newly tooled D/U quickly went into the studio and recorded a full length, the electrifying Aurora Ahora. The album gained them rave reviews, made many websites' "best of" lists, and garnered them radio play on Indie 103.1. Excited by the new energy of the group, the boys decided not to stop there and added two more members to the mix, John Huerta and Adam Valentine of the band Seasons. Now with a ready, rotating bullpen of musicians, Downtown/Union has been a non-stop gigging machine, even embarking on a little tour up the coast. This summer the 6-piece got together to record songs for their upcoming CD, Superstitions of You. Utilizing the vast talents at their disposal, the band seeked to expand their sound by adding eclectic instrumentation such as vibes, horns, and old-timey pianos. If you're in the area and feel like jamming just stop by and knock... it's a rock and roll party.
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