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Throwdown (band)

From Alfawiki
Throwdown
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1997
Headquarters
Orange County, California
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, DVDs

Throwdown is a hardcore and metal ensemble originating from Orange County, California, established in 1997. Although the group has experienced multiple personnel shifts, it continues to operate without any founding members remaining. Throwdown has appeared at prominent festivals such as Ozzfest, Sounds of the Underground, Hellfest, and Warped Tour, and has shared tours with notable bands including In Flames, Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Korn, and Cavalera Conspiracy.

Their songs "Forever" and "Burn" received considerable airplay on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. After releasing Vendetta, they were highlighted by Revolver Magazine as part of "The Future of Metal." Initially grounded in hardcore punk, their musical style evolved toward metal on albums like Venom and Tears and Deathless, drawing parallels to groups such as Pantera and Sepultura. The band upholds a straight edge philosophy.

Formation and early period (1997–2002)

Throwdown was initiated in 1997 by vocalist Keith Barney, guitarists Tommy Love and Javier Van Huss, bassist Dom Macaluso, and drummer Marc Jackson. The name Throwdown was chosen ironically, referencing the band's relatively short stature, with no member exceeding . That same year, they issued their debut self-titled 7-inch single through Prime Directive Records. After Van Huss departed, Brandan Schieppati took his place. Following a contract with Indecision Records, their first full-length album Beyond Repair was released in 1998. Subsequently, Schieppati was succeeded by Dave Peters, and this lineup produced the Drive Me Dead EP in 1999.

In 2001, Throwdown intended to release a split 7-inch with Poison the Well via Surprise Attack Records but instead unveiled their sophomore album You Don't Have to Be Blood to Be Family. Shortly thereafter, Jackson exited the band; Ken Floyd from 18 Visions temporarily handled drums for the self-released 2002 EP Face the Mirror. Due to vocal strain during touring, Barney transitioned from lead vocals to guitar duties while Peters assumed vocal responsibilities. Barney’s ongoing involvement with 18 Visions led to Matt Mentley stepping in on guitar.

Haymaker era (2003–2004)

The year 2003 saw the release of Haymaker under Trustkill Records, featuring the straight-edge anthem "Forever," penned by Peters. The lineup consisted of Peters on vocals, Macaluso on bass, Love and Barney on guitars, with session drummer Jarred Alexander. The band supported this album by touring alongside Hatebreed.

While Barney concentrated on 18 Visions, Macaluso and Love formed The Lost, issuing an EP through Indecision that echoed HIM’s style. In 2004, Mentley officially replaced Barney on guitar. The group toured Japan with a substitute drummer and later toured Europe with new drummer Ben Dussault; former drummer Jackson temporarily filled in on guitar for Love. During summer 2004, Peters, Mentley, Dussault, Macaluso, and Love performed on Ozzfest's second stage.

Vendetta period (2005–2006)

Throwdown entered early 2005 at Planet Z Studios to record Vendetta, collaborating with producer Zeuss. Mark Choiniere joined the lineup just prior to the sessions, although he does not appear in the "Burn" video. That summer, Peters, Dussault, Choiniere, Mentley, and Macaluso took part in the first-ever Sounds of the Underground tour.

During the autumn, the band led a US headlining tour sponsored by To Die for Clothing, with Sinai Beach as their opening act. Following this tour, Macaluso—the final original member—departed from Throwdown. Subsequently, Mentley transitioned to bass duties while Choiniere handled all live guitar parts. Since then, Throwdown has continued as a quartet.

Venom & Tears (2007–2008)

The band recorded Venom & Tears in Los Angeles under the guidance of producer Mudrock.

In summer 2007, Throwdown was the headliner on the Ernie Ball stage during the Vans Warped Tour. After completing the tour, they produced a music video for "Holy Roller," directed by Andy Reale. That fall, they supported Machine Head on a nationwide US tour. Following this run, Mentley exited the group; Mark Mitchell stepped in as bassist and made his live debut in South America in December 2007. Mitchell had previously been frontman of Florida’s vegan straight edge metalcore band Culture and had experience playing guitar in multiple other bands.

In March 2008, Throwdown fulfilled their contractual obligations with Trustkill Records and chose to operate independently. By December of that year, they had signed with Koch Records and commenced work on their sixth studio album, reuniting with drummer Jarrod Alexander who had contributed to Haymaker.

Deathless (2009–2013)

In February 2009, Throwdown performed at Orange County’s MusInk festival as support for Danzig and The Used.

That spring marked the recording of Deathless in Los Angeles with producer Mudrock. The lineup featured Peters, Choiniere, Mitchell, alongside session drummer Alexander. Mixing duties were handled by Zeuss, who had previously worked on Vendetta.

During September and October, Throwdown toured Europe alongside Chimaira and Unearth, with Lance Garvin of Living Sacrifice filling in on drums.

Deathless was released across North America on November 10, 2009 through Koch Records (which later became eOne Music and is now known as MNRK Music Group). The band then embarked on their headline Deathless Tour throughout the United States, supported by Bury Your Dead, For Today, ABACABB, and The World We Knew; this lineup included Peters, Choiniere, Mitchell, and Garvin.

Plans were made for a US tour in December 2009 featuring Five Finger Death Punch and Shadows Fall set for early 2010. However, two weeks before the tour began, Choiniere departed due to the absence of a permanent drummer replacement. Consequently, Throwdown withdrew from the tour and was replaced by God Forbid.

The album received its European release on January 25, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

In October 2011, Throwdown headlined the West Coast "Brawloween" tour with Peters and Mitchell joined by Demon Hunter drummer Tim "Yogi" Watts and Bleeding Through guitarist Dave Nassie. Carnifex, First Blood, and Suffokate served as supporting acts.

Intolerance & Take Cover (2014–2022)

On January 21, 2014, Throwdown unveiled Intolerance through eOne Music. The album was produced by Peters along with Davey Worsop and mixed/mastered by Zeuss. Peters performed all instruments except drums—which were recorded by session musician Alexander—and guitar solos played by Nassie.

The band appeared at major festivals including Canada’s Amnesia Rockfest in 2014 and Belgium’s Groezrock in 2015. These performances featured Peters on vocals with Mentley returning on bass while Alexander and Nassie filled other roles.

In April 2020, Throwdown surprised fans by releasing an EP titled Take Cover, which compiled cover tracks from various points throughout their career. Released under their own Pit Viper Records imprint, this EP also coincided with making their Trustkill-era albums available digitally across streaming services.

Haymaker XX (2023–Present)

In July 2023, Barney, Love, and Jackson joined forces in a new ensemble called Beyond Repair, performing tracks from Throwdown's Indecision era during the 30th anniversary celebration of Indecision Records.

Throwdown reunited with the lineup of Peters, Mentley, Choiniere, and Dussault to appear at Furnace Fest in September 2023, marking their first show together since 2007. Later that year, Pit Viper issued Haymaker XX, a special 20th anniversary edition of the original Haymaker album.

Looking ahead, Throwdown is confirmed to appear at both the 2024 Big Texas Metal Fest and the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival.

Members

Current

  • Dave Peters – lead vocals (2002–present), guitar (1999–2002)
  • Matt Mentley – bass (2005–2007, 2014–present), guitar (2004–2005; touring 2001–2004)
  • Ben Dussault – drums, percussion (2004–2008, 2023–present)
  • Mark Choiniere – guitar (2005–2011, 2023–present)

Touring musicians

Former

  • Tommy Love – guitar (1997–2004)
  • Dom Macaluso – bass (1997–2005)
  • Keith Barney – lead vocals (1997–2002), guitar (2002–2004)
  • Javier Van Huss – guitar (1997–1998)
  • Marc Jackson – drums, percussion (1998–2002), guitar (2004)
  • Brandan Schieppati – guitar (1998–1999)
  • Ken Floyd – drums (2002)
  • Jarrod Alexander – drums, percussion (2002-2004, 2008-2009, touring 2014–2015)
  • Mark Mitchell – bass (2007–2014)

Timeline

Studio albums

Extended plays

  • Throwdown (1998)
  • Drive Me Dead (2000)
  • Throwdown / Good Clean Fun (2001)
  • Face the Mirror (2002)
  • Take Cover (2020) (covers EP)

DVDs

  • Together. Forever. United. (2004)

Music videos

  • "Forever" (2004), directed by Chris Sims
  • "Burn" (2005), directed by Chris Sims
  • "Holy Roller" (2007), directed by Andy Reale
  • "The Scythe" (2010), directed by Cale Glendening
  • "This Continuum" (2010), directed by Cale Glendening
  • "Tombs" (2010), directed by Cale Glendening
  • "The Blinding Light" (2010), directed by Cale Glendening
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