We originated in Salem near Youngstown, OH. Youngstown is a dying city and a certain dull shade of depression is in the air there. It permeates the music creating an atmosphere where grunge, metal, and classic rock like Pink Floyd and Springsteen find an ever-welcoming home. The heart of rock is the blues. Youngstown has the blues. Youngstown taught us to rock. We owe everything to the lessons that area taught us.
But then we went to school at Ohio University. OU was all about partying (and the occasional class and all night study session). We had the opportunity to play such infamous shows like Halloween, PalmerFest, ThreeFest/FourFest, etc. We honed our partying skills and abilities to entertain a crowd. OU really taught us the fun side of things, so much so that it became a part of us and our music as well.
The mixture of these two incredibly different characteristics is the simplified explanation of what Downplay is, why we sound the way we now do, and why we have so much damn fun doing it.
Like what you hear?! Pick up an album by clicking the Paypal link below or get it on iTunes. Not convinced?! Come to a show. You will not be disappointed.
Downplay is playing shows all over the state of Ohio and doesn't plan to stop any time in the future, so if you live in Ohio, chances are we will be playing near you soon, so check us out!
If you have a second, please request a song in your area or otherwise. Thanks, it means the world to us!