Downstairs EP
Encyclopedia
Downstairs is an EP by 311
, which was recorded in Nick Hexum
's basement in 1989, and is considered the band's first recording. It is an independent release without cover art. Almost nothing is known about this collectors item, and an original version of the EP is almost impossible to find. However, a copy of the EP can easily be found circulating in bootleg circles and tape trading
communities. The Downstairs EP suffers from guitar so scratchy that the instrument produced an unintended grinding "ringing" sound so high-pitched that it distorted the sound of the tape upon recording; the sound is so abrasive and scratchy that it has caused listeners of the EP to the suffer the phenomenon known as Tinnitus
. On this EP, "Right Now" is one of the songs most afflicted with the grinding, ringing guitar noise. Owners of original copies of the EP (not the bootleg version) report that the grinding, ringing guitar noise is in fact present on the original source material.
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
, which was recorded in Nick Hexum
Nick Hexum
Nicholas Lofton Hexum is an American musician, currently the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the alternative rock band 311.-Early life:Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Hexum went to Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska...
's basement in 1989, and is considered the band's first recording. It is an independent release without cover art. Almost nothing is known about this collectors item, and an original version of the EP is almost impossible to find. However, a copy of the EP can easily be found circulating in bootleg circles and tape trading
Tape trading
Tape trading is an unofficial method of distribution of demo tapes encompassing musical genres such as punk, hardcore, and extreme metal. The practice which was most prevalent during the 1980s and 1990s, also saw people distribute recordings of live music shows...
communities. The Downstairs EP suffers from guitar so scratchy that the instrument produced an unintended grinding "ringing" sound so high-pitched that it distorted the sound of the tape upon recording; the sound is so abrasive and scratchy that it has caused listeners of the EP to the suffer the phenomenon known as Tinnitus
Tinnitus
Tinnitus |ringing]]") is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes: abnormally loud sounds in the ear canal for even the briefest period , ear...
. On this EP, "Right Now" is one of the songs most afflicted with the grinding, ringing guitar noise. Owners of original copies of the EP (not the bootleg version) report that the grinding, ringing guitar noise is in fact present on the original source material.
Track listing
- "Feels So Good" 3:10
- "Right Now" 4:15
- "Fat Chance" 2:55
- "Unity" 3:02
- "Today My Love" 4:27
- "C.U.T.M." 3:52