Throwdown (band)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Throwdown is an American
hardcore Hardcore, hard core or hard-core may refer to: Arts and media Film * ''Hardcore'' (1977 film), a British comedy film * ''Hardcore'' (1979 film), an American crime drama film starring George C Scott * ''Hardcore'' (2001 film), a British documen ...
and heavy metal band from
Orange County, California Orange County (officially the County of Orange; often initialized O.C.) is a county (United States), county located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population ...
. Formed in 1997, the band has endured numerous lineup changes to the point where no original members remain. Throwdown has toured as part of
Ozzfest Ozzfest was an annual music festival tour of the United States and sometimes Europe and later Japan, featuring performances by many heavy metal music, heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Sharon Osbourne and her husband O ...
, Sounds of the Underground,
Hellfest Hellfest (), also known as Hellfest Summer Open Air, is a rock festival focusing on heavy metal music, held annually in June in Clisson, France. Its high attendance makes it the French music festival with the largest turnover. It is also one o ...
, and
Warped Tour The Warped Tour is a Concert tour, touring Rock music, rock music festival that toured the United States and Canada each summer from 1995 until 2019, and returned in 2025 for its 30th anniversary. By 2015, Warped was the largest traveling music ...
, as well as with bands such as
In Flames In Flames is a Swedish Heavy metal music, heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990 out of the Swedish death metal, Swedish death metal scene. Their lineup has changed several times, with vocalist Anders Frid ...
,
Lamb of God Lamb of God (; , ) is a Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John. It appears at wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/John#1:29, John 1:29, where John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, " ...
,
As I Lay Dying ''As I Lay Dying'' is a 1930 Southern Gothic novel by American author William Faulkner. Faulkner's fifth novel, it is consistently ranked among the best novels of the 20th century.The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to World Lit ...
,
Killswitch Engage Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and drummer Justin ...
,
Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, originally formed in 1993 by James Shaffer, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and David Silveria, who were members of the band ...
and
Cavalera Conspiracy Cavalera Conspiracy is a Brazilian-American heavy metal supergroup from Phoenix, Arizona, founded by Brazilian brothers Max (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Igor Cavalera (drums, percussion), who are widely known as former members of Sepultura, an ...
. The songs "Forever" and "Burn" were staples on
MTV2 MTV2 (formerly M2) is an American pay television Cable television, channel owned by the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global, through PMN’s MTV Entertainment Group Subdivision. The channel launched initially as an all-music ...
's ''
Headbangers Ball ''Headbangers Ball'' is a music television program that consists of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV and its global affiliates. The show began on MTV on April 18, 1987, playing heavy metal music videos from both well-known and more obsc ...
'' and
Revolver Magazine ''Revolver'' is an American heavy metal music and hard rock magazine, published by Project M Group. It was originally launched under Harris Publications in the spring of 2000 by Tom Beaujour and Brad Tolinski, who envisioned it as an American ...
called them part of "The Future of Metal" after hearing the album ''
Vendetta Vendetta may refer to: * Feud or vendetta, a long-running argument or fight Film * ''Vendetta'' (1919 film), a film featuring Harry Liedtke * ''Vendetta'' (1950 film), an American drama produced by Howard Hughes * ''Vendetta'' (1986 film), an ...
''. Initially branded a
hardcore punk Hardcore punk (commonly abbreviated to hardcore or hXc) is a punk rock music genre#subtypes, subgenre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots ...
band, albums like ''
Venom and Tears ''Venom & Tears'' is the fifth studio album by American metal band Throwdown, released on August 7, 2007. The album was featured in Best Buy's weekly circular prior to its release. The track "Holy Roller" was released as a single. The album ...
'' and '' Deathless'' took a sharp turn towards metal, with critics likening the band's sound to that of
Pantera Pantera () is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Arlington, Texas in 1981 by the Abbott brothers (guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul), and currently composed of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, an ...
and
Sepultura Sepultura (, "grave")Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17. is a Brazilian heavy metal band formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera.Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16. They were a major force in the groove metal, thrash met ...
. The band are
straight edge Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated as sXe or signified by XXX or simply X) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs in reaction to the punk subculture's excesses. Some ...
.


History


Early years (1997–2002)

Throwdown was formed in 1997 by vocalist Keith Barney, an active member of both Adamantium and
Eighteen Visions Eighteen Visions is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California, formed in October 1995. The band broke up in April 2007, less than a year after their major label debut was released through Epic and Trustkill Records. After over a ...
, guitarists Tommy Love and Javier Van Huss, bassist Dom Macaluso, and drummer Marc Jackson. The group took on the title Throwdown as a "wry irony on their collective stature", at the time no band member being more than . The band released their debut, self-titled 7-inch single that same year through Prime Directive Records. Van Huss left the band and was replaced by
Brandan Schieppati Brandan Schieppati (born August 3, 1980) is an American musician. He is the singer of metalcore band Bleeding Through and a former guitarist/songwriter of the fellow Orange County metalcore band Eighteen Visions, for which he played from 1997 ...
. After signing a
recording contract A recording contract (commonly called a record contract or record deal) is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording act (artist or group), where the act makes an audio recording (or series of recordings) for the label to sell and ...
with Indecision Records, they released their first studio album ''Beyond Repair'' the following year. Schieppati was replaced by
Dave Peters David Peters is an American musician. He was the original guitarist for the metal band Eighteen Visions, guitarist for Throwdown, and, since 2002, the vocalist for Throwdown. He has also provided guest vocals for the song " Unleash" by Soulfly, ...
. The following year, the new line-up released the '' Drive Me Dead'' EP. In 2001, Throwdown was scheduled to release a split 7-inch vinyl with
Poison the Well Poisoning the well (or to poison the well) is a logical fallacy. Poisoning the well may also refer to: *Well poisoning, the literal meaning of the phrase *"Poisoning the Well", a ''Stargate Atlantis'' episode *Poison the Well (band), a hardcore pu ...
through
Surprise Attack Records Surprise Attack Records, sometimes called SA Mob is an independent record label based in Erie,Pennsylvania, although the bands are from Miami, Elkview, Erie, and even Adelaide, Australia. Surprise Attack Records signs Hardcore punk bands. In the ...
. Instead, the band released their second studio album, ''You Don't Have to Be Blood to Be Family''. Not long afterward, Jackson left the band, who, lacking a permanent replacement, recruited Barney's 18 Visions bandmate Ken Floyd to fill-in. Floyd appeared on their self-released 2002 EP '' Face the Mirror''. The same year, Barney told the band he'd like to switch from vocals to guitar, as he would often lose his voice on tour, so Peters took over on vocals. Barney would often miss shows due to his commitments to 18 Visions; Matt Mentley was drafted to fill in for him.


''Haymaker'' (2003–2004)

In 2003, Throwdown recorded and released '' Haymaker'', featuring the Peters-penned straight-edge anthem "Forever", on Trustkill Records. The lineup was Peters on vocals, Macaluso on bass, Love & Barney on guitars, and session drummer Jarred Alexander. A tour with
Hatebreed Hatebreed is an American metalcore/ hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. The band released its debut album ''Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire'' in 1997, which gave the band a cult following. The band signed to Universa ...
followed in support of the album's release. As Barney stayed busy with 18 Visions, Macaluso and Love started the band The Lost, who released an EP with Indecision very reminiscent of the group HIM. Mentley officially replaced Barney in 2004. The band played Japan, with a fill in drummer, and embarked on a short tour of Europe with new drummer Ben Dussault. Former drummer Jackson filled in for Love, on guitar. Peters, Mentley, Dussault, Macaluso, and Love spent the summer of 2004 on Ozzfest's second stage.


''Vendetta'' (2005–2006)

Throwdown spent the early part of the year recording ''
Vendetta Vendetta may refer to: * Feud or vendetta, a long-running argument or fight Film * ''Vendetta'' (1919 film), a film featuring Harry Liedtke * ''Vendetta'' (1950 film), an American drama produced by Howard Hughes * ''Vendetta'' (1986 film), an ...
'', made at Planet Z Studios with producer
Zeuss Christopher Harris (born April 1, 1972), known professionally as Chris "Zeuss" Harris or simply Zeuss, is an American record producer. Biography Zeuss is best known in the worlds of hard rock, heavy metal music, hardcore punk, and metalcore. H ...
. Mark Choiniere joined the band shortly before the album was recorded, although he does not appear in the music video for "Burn". Peters, Dussault, Choiniere, Mentley and Macaluso hit the inaugural Sounds of the Underground tour that summer. In the fall, they headlined a US tour sponsored by To Die for Clothing with
Sinai Beach Sinai Beach was a Christian metal band that was formed in Riverside, California, in 2000. The band has stated on multiple occasions that they are named after Mount Sinai, where Moses was given the Ten Commandments in the Bible. History Earl ...
as support. Following this tour, Macaluso, the band's only remaining original member, exited Throwdown. Mentley switched to bass, with Mark Choiniere covering all guitar duties in the live setting. Throwdown has remained a four-piece ever since.


''Venom & Tears'' (2007–2008)

Throwdown recorded '' Venom & Tears'' with producer Mudrock in Los Angeles. They spent the summer headlining the Ernie Ball stage on the
Vans Warped Tour The Warped Tour is a touring rock music festival that toured the United States and Canada each summer from 1995 until 2019, and returned in 2025 for its 30th anniversary. By 2015, Warped was the largest traveling music festival in the United S ...
. After the tour, they filmed a video for "Holy Roller" with director Andy Reale. In the fall, they supported
Machine Head A machine head (also referred to as a tuning machine, tuner, or gear head) is a geared apparatus for tuning stringed musical instruments by adjusting string tension. Machine heads are used on mandolins, guitars, double basses, and others, and ...
on a US tour. Mentley left the band afterward. His replacement, Mark Mitchell, made his live debut in South America in December 2007. Mitchell had previously been the vocalist for the Florida
vegan Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products and the consumption of animal source foods, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A person who practices veganism is known as a ve ...
straight edge Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated as sXe or signified by XXX or simply X) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs in reaction to the punk subculture's excesses. Some ...
metalcore band
Culture Culture ( ) is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, Attitude (psychology), attitudes ...
(1993–1994, 1995–1996), and guitarist in Red Roses for a Blue Lady (1998–2001), Until the End (2001–2002) and The Mistake (2004–2007). In March 2008, Throwdown announced that they had fulfilled their contractual obligations and were no longer signed to
Trustkill Records Trustkill Records is an American independent record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994. In 2010, the president of Trustkill, Josh Grabelle, fo ...
. In December 2008, the band signed to
Koch Records MNRK Music Group (pronounced "monarch"), formerly known as Koch Records and Entertainment One (eOne) Music/Records, is an American independent record label and music management company based in New York City. It was formed in 1987 as a music div ...
and began working on their sixth album. In the same announcement, it was stated that Jarrod Alexander, who worked with the band on '' Haymaker'', would return for the new album.


''Deathless'' (2009–2013)

In February 2009, the band played at the second annual MusInk festival in Orange County, supporting Danzig and
The Used The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah, formed in 2000. The group consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford. Former members include Quinn Allman, Branden Steinec ...
. In the Spring, Throwdown began recording with Mudrock (who previously recorded ''Venom & Tears'') in Los Angeles. The new album featured Peters, Choiniere, Mitchell, and session drummer Alexander. The album was mixed by
Zeuss Christopher Harris (born April 1, 1972), known professionally as Chris "Zeuss" Harris or simply Zeuss, is an American record producer. Biography Zeuss is best known in the worlds of hard rock, heavy metal music, hardcore punk, and metalcore. H ...
, who had produced and mixed ''Vendetta''. They spent September and October touring Europe with Chimaira and Unearth, with Living Sacrifice drummer Lance Garvin behind the kit. On November 10, 2009, Throwdown released ''Deathless'' in North America via Koch (later called
eOne Music MNRK Music Group (pronounced "monarch"), formerly known as Koch Records and Entertainment One (eOne) Music/Records, is an American independent record label and music management company based in New York City. It was formed in 1987 as a music div ...
, and now called
MNRK Music Group MNRK Music Group (pronounced "monarch"), formerly known as Koch Records and Entertainment One (eOne) Music/Records, is an American independent record label and music management company based in New York City. It was formed in 1987 as a music div ...
). In November and December, they headlined the ''Deathless Tour'' across America, with support from
Bury Your Dead Bury Your Dead is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2001. The current lineup is guitarist Chris Towning, lead vocalist Mat Bruso, drummer Mark Castillo, and bassist Aaron Patrick. To date, they have had eight relea ...
,
For Today For Today were an American Christian metalcore band from Sioux City, Iowa, formed in 2005. They released two EPs, ''Your Moment, Your Life, Your Time'' and ''Prevailer'', and six full-length albums: '' Ekklesia'' in, 2008, ''Portraits'' in 2009 ...
, ABACABB, and The World We Knew, again with the lineup of Peters, Choiniere, Mitchell, and Garvin. In December, the band announced they would join
Five Finger Death Punch Five Finger Death Punch, also abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2005. The band originally consisted of vocalist Ivan Moody, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, lead g ...
and
Shadows Fall Shadows Fall is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1996. Although Shadows Fall has experienced several line-up changes, for most of its recording career, Shadows Fall has been composed of guitarists Jon Donais and ...
on a lengthy U.S. tour set for January and February 2010. However, without a permanent replacement for Dussault, Choiniere opted to bow out of Throwdown roughly two weeks before the start of the tour. Throwdown dropped out of the tour and was replaced on the bill by the band God Forbid. ''Deathless'' was released in Europe on January 25, 2010, via
Nuclear Blast Records Nuclear Blast Records is a German record label with subsidiary, subsidiaries located in Germany, the United States and Brazil. It was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Donzdorf. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on ...
. In October 2011, Throwdown headlined a short West Coast trek dubbed "Brawloween". The lineup was Peters and Mitchell with
Demon Hunter Demon hunter is a demonology-related historic occupation or folkloric character which specializes in killing demons, monsters, or undead creatures. Demon hunter or variations may also refer to: Characters * Demon Hunter (comics), an Atlas/Seab ...
drummer Tim "Yogi" Watts and then-
Bleeding Through Bleeding Through is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California, formed in 1999. Influenced largely by hardcore punk and Swedish melodic death metal, the band was established by lead vocalist Brandan Schieppati as a personal projec ...
guitarist
Dave Nassie No Use for a Name (sometimes abbreviated NUFAN or No Use) was an American punk rock band from Sunnyvale, California, formed in 1986 by Chris Dodge (guitar), Steve Papoutsis (bass) and Rory Koff (drums). The band's sound evolved considerably throu ...
filling in. Support for the shows included Carnifex,
First Blood ''First Blood'' is a 1982 American war action film starring Sylvester Stallone as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. Directed by Ted Kotcheff, the film was co-written by Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, and Stallone, deriving from the 1972 no ...
, and Suffokate.


''Intolerance'' & ''Take Cover'' (2014–2022)

Throwdown released the ''Intolerance'' album on January 21, 2014, via
eOne Music MNRK Music Group (pronounced "monarch"), formerly known as Koch Records and Entertainment One (eOne) Music/Records, is an American independent record label and music management company based in New York City. It was formed in 1987 as a music div ...
. It was produced by Peters with Davey Worsop and mixed/mastered by
Zeuss Christopher Harris (born April 1, 1972), known professionally as Chris "Zeuss" Harris or simply Zeuss, is an American record producer. Biography Zeuss is best known in the worlds of hard rock, heavy metal music, hardcore punk, and metalcore. H ...
. Peters performed everything on the album, save for drums (handled by longtime session player Alexander) and guitar solos, which were tracked by Nassie. The band performed at Canada's
Amnesia Rockfest Montebello Rock, formerly known as Amnesia Rockfest and Montebello Rockfest, was an annual outdoor Rock festival that took place each June in Montebello, Quebec. Founded in 2005 by then 17-year-old local resident Alex Martel, it became the larg ...
in 2014 and Belgium's
Groezrock Groezrock was an annual music festival that took place in Meerhout, Belgium. It started as a small rock music, rock and pop music, pop festival with one stage and a few hundred people attending, but evolved into a large punk rock/hardcore punk fe ...
festival in 2015. Both shows featured Peters on vocals and the return of Mentley on bass, with Alexander and Nassie filling in. In April 2020, Throwdown released a surprise EP, ''Take Cover'', collecting cover songs from over the years. The EP was issued by the band's own label, Pit Viper Records. Throwdown's Trustkill-era albums are now on all digital services via Pit Viper Records, as well.


''Haymaker XX'' (2023–Present)

Beyond Repair (a new band featuring Barney, Love, and Jackson) performed Indecision-era Throwdown songs at the Indecision Records 30th-anniversary show in July 2023. In September 2023, Throwdown appeared at
Furnace Fest Furnace Fest is an American music festival held over three days at the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, National Historical Landmark in Birmingham, Alabama. It ran annually each August from 2000 to 2003, and ran again from September 2 ...
. It was the first Throwdown show with the lineup of Peters, Mentley, Choiniere, and Dussault since 2007. A 20th anniversary edition of ''Haymaker'' dubbed ''Haymaker XX'' arrived via Pit Viper in late 2023. Throwdown will perform at 2024's Big Texas Metal Fest and
New England Metal and Hardcore Festival The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival is an annual festival held in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. The weekend-long concert of heavy metal and hardcore punk bands along with a merchandising and promotional area for record labels ...
.


Members

Current *
Dave Peters David Peters is an American musician. He was the original guitarist for the metal band Eighteen Visions, guitarist for Throwdown, and, since 2002, the vocalist for Throwdown. He has also provided guest vocals for the song " Unleash" by Soulfly, ...
– lead vocals (2002–present); guitar (1999–2002) * Matt Mentley – bass (2005–2007, 2014–present); guitar (2004–2005); touring guitar (2001–2004) * Ben Dussault – drums, percussion (2004–2008, 2023–present) * Mark Choiniere – guitar (2005–2011, 2023–present) Touring musicians * Nick Jett – drums (2003) *
Lance Garvin Lance Garvin is an American drummer and, along with Bruce Fitzhugh, DJ Johnson and Jason Truby, a founding member of the Christian metal band Living Sacrifice. Garvin is mostly known for using a Ride Cymbal in modern metal without making it soun ...
– drums (2009–2011) *
Timothy "Yogi" Watts Timothy "Yogi" Watts is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the Christian metal band Demon Hunter since 2004. He was the fourth drummer for The Showdown, original drummer for The Lonely Hearts (originally named Holland), and ...
– drums (2011) * Dave Nassie – guitar (2011–2015) *
Jarrod Alexander Jarrod Fletcher Alexander (born August 13, 1981) is an American musician who has played with many hardcore punk bands. He has been a member of The Suicide File, A Static Lullaby, Dead Country and more recently, My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Tr ...
– drums, percussion (2014–2015) 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 Brandan Schieppati (born August 3, 1980) is an American musician. He is the singer of metalcore band Bleeding Through and a former guitarist/songwriter of the fellow Orange County metalcore band Eighteen Visions, for which he played from 1997 ...
– guitar (1998–1999) *
Ken Floyd Ken Floyd is an American drummer and guitarist. He is mostly known from his time in the hardcore band Eighteen Visions which he founded in 1995 as the drummer, and became second guitarist in 2004. He is currently the tour manager for EDM artis ...
– drums (2002) * Mark Mitchell – bass (2007–2014) File:Throwdown Live at BTMF 2024.jpg, Throwdown at Big Texas Metal Fest 2024 (The Far Out Lounge in Austin, TX) File:Throwdown in traffic Chain Reaction 2007.jpg, Press shot from V&T era (in the middle of the road across from Chain Reaction) File:Throwdown Live at Ozzfest 2004.jpg, Throwdown Live at Ozzfest 2004 File:Throwdown Live in Syracuse, NY.jpg, Throwdown Live in Syracuse, NY File:Throwdown Dave Live.jpg, Dave Peters File:Throwdown Ben Live.jpg, Ben Dussault File:Throwdown Mark Live.jpg, Mark Choiniere File:Throwdown Matt Live.jpg, Matt Mentley Timeline


Discography


Studio albums

* ''Beyond Repair'' (1999) * ''You Don't Have to Be Blood to Be Family'' (2001) * '' Haymaker'' (2003) * ''
Vendetta Vendetta may refer to: * Feud or vendetta, a long-running argument or fight Film * ''Vendetta'' (1919 film), a film featuring Harry Liedtke * ''Vendetta'' (1950 film), an American drama produced by Howard Hughes * ''Vendetta'' (1986 film), an ...
'' (2005) * '' Venom & Tears'' (2007) * '' Deathless'' (2009) * ''Intolerance'' (2014)


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


References


External links

*
Throwdown Merch StoreThrowdown on InstagramThrowdown on XThrowdown on Facebook
* {{Authority control Hardcore punk groups from California Metalcore musical groups from California American groove metal musical groups Musical groups from Orange County, California Straight edge groups Musical groups established in 1997 MNRK Music Group artists Heavy metal musical groups from California Musical quartets from California Trustkill Records artists Beatdown hardcore musical groups