Down by Law (band)
Encyclopedia
Down by Law is a punk rock
band formed in 1989 by former All
frontman Dave Smalley
, who is the their only permanent member. The band has recorded 7 studio albums. They stayed on Epitaph Records
until 1998 and have since switched to labels. Down by Law has never achieved substantial commercial success, but a number of largely popular acts cite them as influential. After several lineup changes, the band went on hiatus from touring and recording in 2003, but resurfaced in 2008 before beginning work on new material and embarking on their first tour in six years in 2009.
left All
in 1989, he formed Down by Law with Chris Bagarozzi on guitar, Ed Urlik and Dave Naz
on drums. The band considers their first show to be held on March 10, 1990 at the Anti-Club in Hollywood. After signing to Epitaph Records
, they released their debut album, which is self-titled, in 1991. It was produced by Brett Gurewitz
, guitarist of punk rock band Bad Religion
and the founder of Epitaph.
Down by Law entered the studio to record their second album, Blue
, in 1992 (again produced by Gurewitz). After the touring to promote the album, they parted ways with their original lineup in 1993, leaving Smalley the band's only constant member. Bagarozzi, Urlik and Naz were replaced by Sam Williams III, Angry John Di Mambro and Hunter Oswald on guitar, bass and drums respectively. The new lineup recorded their third album Punkrockacademyfightsong
, which was released in 1994 and is generally cited as their best selling release. Video clips for the songs "Hit or Miss" and the cover of The Proclaimers
' "500 Miles
" were made and they received some airplay on MTV
and radio stations. To support the album, Down by Law embarked on a year long tour and on some shows they supported bands like Burning Heads
and The Vandals
as well as their now-former labelmates NOFX
, The Offspring
, Pennywise
and Bad Religion
. Down by Law recorded and released two more albums, All Scratched Up
(1996) and Last of the Sharpshooters
(1997) before they were dropped from Epitaph in 1998. More lineup changes had happened as well. A brief stint on Go-Kart Records saw the release of Fly the Flag
(1999), which was followed up four years later by Windwardtidesandwaywardsails
(2003), released on Union 2112 Records. Neither album was as successful as their Epitaph releases.
In August 2008, Down by Law recently announced that they were working on an album for Union Label Group
and posted posted a new track called "Bullets" on their official website. On August 3, 2011, Smalley posted an update on Down by Law's Facebook page saying, "so there are new songs by DBL, being mixed as we speak...Sam rocks the songwriting as always. Hopefully we'll release something soon, either online or with a label."
In 2009, Down by Law embarked on their first tour since 2003, where they played shows in South America as well as some shows in the United States. They also played two shows in Florida in April 2010 and two shows in the Netherlands that October.
Former
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band formed in 1989 by former All
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
frontman Dave Smalley
Dave Smalley
Not to be confused with Dave Smalley Dave Smalley is an American musician, best known as the punk bands DYS, Dag Nasty, All and singer/guitarist with Down By Law. He is known for his influence on pop punk music and his early contributions to the emo genre...
, who is the their only permanent member. The band has recorded 7 studio albums. They stayed on Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
until 1998 and have since switched to labels. Down by Law has never achieved substantial commercial success, but a number of largely popular acts cite them as influential. After several lineup changes, the band went on hiatus from touring and recording in 2003, but resurfaced in 2008 before beginning work on new material and embarking on their first tour in six years in 2009.
Biography
After Dave SmalleyDave Smalley
Not to be confused with Dave Smalley Dave Smalley is an American musician, best known as the punk bands DYS, Dag Nasty, All and singer/guitarist with Down By Law. He is known for his influence on pop punk music and his early contributions to the emo genre...
left All
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
in 1989, he formed Down by Law with Chris Bagarozzi on guitar, Ed Urlik and Dave Naz
Dave Naz
David F. Nazworthy, professionally known as Dave Naz is an American pornographer and erotic photographer....
on drums. The band considers their first show to be held on March 10, 1990 at the Anti-Club in Hollywood. After signing to Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
, they released their debut album, which is self-titled, in 1991. It was produced by Brett Gurewitz
Brett Gurewitz
Brett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
, guitarist of punk rock band Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
and the founder of Epitaph.
Down by Law entered the studio to record their second album, Blue
Blue (Down by Law album)
Blue is the second full-length album by the punk rock band Down by Law.-Track listing:# "The Last Brigade"# "Looking for Something"# "Break the Walls"# "At Home in the Wasteland"# "Rain"# "Turn Away"# "Air Conditioner"...
, in 1992 (again produced by Gurewitz). After the touring to promote the album, they parted ways with their original lineup in 1993, leaving Smalley the band's only constant member. Bagarozzi, Urlik and Naz were replaced by Sam Williams III, Angry John Di Mambro and Hunter Oswald on guitar, bass and drums respectively. The new lineup recorded their third album Punkrockacademyfightsong
Punkrockacademyfightsong
Punkrockacademyfightsong is the third full-length album by the punk rock band Down by Law. The album features a cover of The Proclaimers hit song I'm Gonna Be .-Track listing:# "Punk Won" – 2:57# "Hit Or Miss" – 3:22...
, which was released in 1994 and is generally cited as their best selling release. Video clips for the songs "Hit or Miss" and the cover of The Proclaimers
The Proclaimers
The Proclaimers are a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers, Charlie and Craig Reid . They are probably best known for the songs "Letter from America", "I'm On My Way" and "I'm Gonna Be ". The band tours extensively throughout Europe and other continents...
' "500 Miles
500 Miles
"500 Miles" is a folk song made popular in the United States and Europe during the 1960s folk revival. The simple repetitive lyrics offer a lament by a traveler who is far from home, out of money and too ashamed to return...
" were made and they received some airplay on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and radio stations. To support the album, Down by Law embarked on a year long tour and on some shows they supported bands like Burning Heads
Burning Heads
Burning Heads is a melodic hardcore punk rock band from Orleans, France. The group formed in the late '80s, and started out releasing records independently before signing with Play It Again Sam in 1994. They became more popular in America with the release of their 1998 record, Be One with the...
and The Vandals
The Vandals
The Vandals are an American rock band established in 1980 in Huntington Beach, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour...
as well as their now-former labelmates NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
, The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
, Pennywise
Pennywise (band)
Pennywise is a Californian punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The name is derived from the monster, It, from the Stephen King novel of the same title....
and Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
. Down by Law recorded and released two more albums, All Scratched Up
All Scratched Up (album)
All Scratched Up is the fourth full-length album by Down by Law that was released in 1996.-Track listing:# "Independence Day"# "Cheap Thrill"# "All American"# "Hell Song"# "True Believers"# "Giving It All Away"# "Gruesome Gary"# "Radio Ragga"...
(1996) and Last of the Sharpshooters
Last of the Sharpshooters
Last of the Sharpshooters is the fifth full length album by Down by Law that was released in 1997.Dave Smalley from Down by Law later formed a side project called The Sharpshooters in 1998.-Track listing:# "USA Today"# "No Equalizer"# "Call To Arms"...
(1997) before they were dropped from Epitaph in 1998. More lineup changes had happened as well. A brief stint on Go-Kart Records saw the release of Fly the Flag
Fly the Flag (album)
Fly the Flag is the sixth full length album by Down by Law that was released in 1999. This album marked their departure from Epitaph Records.-Track listing:# Fly the Flag – 2:26# Promises – 1:40# Nothing Good On The Radio – 1:50# Automatic – 2:37...
(1999), which was followed up four years later by Windwardtidesandwaywardsails
Windwardtidesandwaywardsails
Windwardtidesandwaywardsails is the seventh full length album by Down by Law that was released in 2003. This album marked the first time since 1993's Blue that the same drummer played on two consecutive albums.-Track listing:# "Next To Go" – 2:15...
(2003), released on Union 2112 Records. Neither album was as successful as their Epitaph releases.
In August 2008, Down by Law recently announced that they were working on an album for Union Label Group
Union Label Group
Union Label Group is a record label based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was formed through the merger of the smaller labels Stomp Records, 2112 Records, and Tyrant Records. Mayday! Records was later created as a genre imprint....
and posted posted a new track called "Bullets" on their official website. On August 3, 2011, Smalley posted an update on Down by Law's Facebook page saying, "so there are new songs by DBL, being mixed as we speak...Sam rocks the songwriting as always. Hopefully we'll release something soon, either online or with a label."
In 2009, Down by Law embarked on their first tour since 2003, where they played shows in South America as well as some shows in the United States. They also played two shows in Florida in April 2010 and two shows in the Netherlands that October.
Band members
Current- Dave SmalleyDave SmalleyNot to be confused with Dave Smalley Dave Smalley is an American musician, best known as the punk bands DYS, Dag Nasty, All and singer/guitarist with Down By Law. He is known for his influence on pop punk music and his early contributions to the emo genre...
- Vocals, Guitar - Sam WilliamsSam WilliamsSam Williams is an American journalist. He is perhaps best known as the author of a biography of software programmer Richard Stallman, Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software . Prior to beginning Free as in Freedom he met his wife Tracy. She had originally proposed the...
- Guitar - Kevin Coss - Bass
- Jack Criswell - Drums
Former
- Milo Todesco - Drums
- Keith Davies - Bass
- Dave NazDave NazDavid F. Nazworthy, professionally known as Dave Naz is an American pornographer and erotic photographer....
(drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
/vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) 1989-1993 - Ed Urlik (BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
/vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) 1989-1993 - Chris Bagarozzi (guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) 1989-1993 - Mark Phillips (guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) 1993-1994 - Pat HoedPat HoedPat Hoed is a singer, professional wrestling commentator and radio personality. He has performed under the guises of Fantasma , Larry Rivera and Adam Bomb Pat Hoed (born September 3, 1963 in Hollywood, California) is a singer, professional wrestling commentator and radio personality. He has...
(BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) 1993-1994 - Hunter Oswald (drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
/vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) 1993-1994 - Angry John DiMambro (BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) 1994-1997 - Danny Westman (drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) 1996
Discography
- Down by Law (1991)
- BlueBlue (Down by Law album)Blue is the second full-length album by the punk rock band Down by Law.-Track listing:# "The Last Brigade"# "Looking for Something"# "Break the Walls"# "At Home in the Wasteland"# "Rain"# "Turn Away"# "Air Conditioner"...
(1992) - PunkrockacademyfightsongPunkrockacademyfightsongPunkrockacademyfightsong is the third full-length album by the punk rock band Down by Law. The album features a cover of The Proclaimers hit song I'm Gonna Be .-Track listing:# "Punk Won" – 2:57# "Hit Or Miss" – 3:22...
(1994) - All Scratched UpAll Scratched Up (album)All Scratched Up is the fourth full-length album by Down by Law that was released in 1996.-Track listing:# "Independence Day"# "Cheap Thrill"# "All American"# "Hell Song"# "True Believers"# "Giving It All Away"# "Gruesome Gary"# "Radio Ragga"...
(1996) - Last of the SharpshootersLast of the SharpshootersLast of the Sharpshooters is the fifth full length album by Down by Law that was released in 1997.Dave Smalley from Down by Law later formed a side project called The Sharpshooters in 1998.-Track listing:# "USA Today"# "No Equalizer"# "Call To Arms"...
(1997) - Fly the FlagFly the Flag (album)Fly the Flag is the sixth full length album by Down by Law that was released in 1999. This album marked their departure from Epitaph Records.-Track listing:# Fly the Flag – 2:26# Promises – 1:40# Nothing Good On The Radio – 1:50# Automatic – 2:37...
(1999) - Punkrockdays: The Best Of DBL (2002)
- WindwardtidesandwaywardsailsWindwardtidesandwaywardsailsWindwardtidesandwaywardsails is the seventh full length album by Down by Law that was released in 2003. This album marked the first time since 1993's Blue that the same drummer played on two consecutive albums.-Track listing:# "Next To Go" – 2:15...
(2003)
Compilations
- Atticus: Dragging The Lake IIAtticus: ...dragging the lake, Vol. 2Atticus: ...Dragging the Lake, Vol. 2 was the second in the series of compilation albums created by Atticus Clothing.-Track listing:# "I'm Not Invisible" by Rocket From The Crypt# "Remedy" by Hot Water Music# "To Awake and Avenge the Dead" by Thrice...
- Punk Vs. Emo
- World Still Won't Listen: Tribute To The Smiths
- Down By Law Vs. Gigantor
- Terror Firmer
- Radio Asylum Vol. 1
- Go-Kart Vs. The Corporate Giant Vol. 2
- Short Music For Short PeopleShort Music for Short PeopleShort Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
- Five Years On The Streets
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 3Punk-O-Rama Vol. 3Punk-O-Rama III is the third compilation album in the Punk-O-Rama series.This entry features two previously unreleased tracks, "We Threw Gasoline on the Fire and Now All We Have Stumps for Arms and Legs and No Eyebrows" by NOFX and "Wake Up" by Pennywise...
- Before You Were PunkBefore You Were Punk- Album information :* Record label: Vagrant Records* Art direction by Andrew Lenoski, Rich Egan and Jon Cohen* Recording and mixing:** Tracks 1 and 2 recorded and mixed by Ryan Greene at Razor's Edge Studios in San Francisco, California...
- Godmoney
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 2Punk-O-Rama Vol. 2Punk-O-Rama Vol. 2 is the second compilation in the Punk-O-Rama series. This was the first entry to be released at a low price, so that it was more appealing for someone to buy to check out Epitaph's artists....
- Keep The Beat
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 1Punk-O-Rama Vol. 1Punk-O-Rama is a compilation album released by Epitaph Records on November 18, 1994. Featuring twelve bands from the label's roster, the album was the first installment in the Punk-O-Rama series which continued until 2005.-Track listing:...
- Chairman Of The Bored: A Tribute To Frank Sinatra
- More Songs About Anger, Fear, Sex & Death
- Digital Snow
- The Big One
External links
- www.downbylaw.com
- PMAKid Interview – Interview with Dave Smalley on PMAKid.com