Sometimes you hit all the pitches yard and win the game. Other times you couldn’t hit yourself with the bat. Well, Down is crazy busy.

Philip Anselmo (Vocals), Jimmy Bower (Drums), Pat Bruders (Bass), Pepper Keenan (Guitar), Bobby Landgraf (Guitar) make up the influential group, Down. Be it from the ashes of a few different bands, Down has managed to forge it’s own legacy since 1995 and having a little good fun along the way, coming out of the city of New Orleans fittingly enough. Bobby decided to give us a stab in answering the questions. He’s a busy man, so don’t be surprised at some of the shorter answers. Make sure to catch this headliner band at Dirt Fest 2015.

NRR: You guys are from the swamps of New Orleans where some of the alligators may be afraid of you biting them. What’s been going on with the band in the last year besides the insane amount of touring you’ve done?
Bobby Landgraf: The touring that’s going on this year is Eye Hate God, Corrosion of Conformity, Superjoint, Honky, and Down. Philip’s been producing bands for Housecore Records so we all set sail with our own projects.
NRR: Hopefully you guys have a great time on stage this year. Are you looking forward to anything in particular at Dirt Fest 2015 to keep the mojo going?
Bobby Landgraf: Doing shows and festivals gets the mojo going. We’re looking forward to droppin’ the hammer at Dirt Fest.
NRR: With all of the other projects that the guys have going, is it ever hard to have to focus on a Down related project or is the level artistry simply that good to pull it off without many problems when the time comes?
Bobby Landgraf: We are all old school. [We] get in the room together and create on the spot, riffs, breaks, solos, and lyrics. [It’s] not a problem for us.

DOWN – Conjure [Official Music Video]

NRR: You’re currently on the Eastbound ‘N’ Down Tour headed towards Dirt Fest and the reviews have been really fantastic. Will there come a time when even you guys, as much as you are professionals, will need a break to recharge?
Bobby Landgraf: Sure most bands get a break but look at all the projects surrounding all if us in Down. We’re lifers. It’s what we do.
NRR: Doing all of the Dirt Fest interviews has me wanting to change the musical influence questions a bit. Are you ever truly aware of how many of these bands have been influenced by the sounds of previous bands in the past of Down?
Bobby Landgraf: Of Course.
NRR: What can we expect from the Down camp in the coming days after Dirt Fest is but a dream of a metal, angry, marauding dragon until 2016?
Bobby Landgraf: It’s time to write the next Down record.
NRR: Is there a band or bands on this year’s Dirt Fest line-up that you are looking forward to seeing as fans?
Bobby Landgraf: Child Bite.
NRR: How important is selling merch for you guys at a festival like this? Is sitting at the both yourselves still a possibility or, with everything that you have to do, is that a rarity?
Bobby Landgraf: Merch is always important. Sometimes we’re out at the booths at festivals for meet and greets.
NRR: The combined touring experience on stage during a Down show is amazing. Even in that storied history, there must be a story or two that still makes even you wonder what the hell just happened. Are there any Spinal Tap like moments that come to mind that you’d care to share with us?

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Bobby Landgraf: Well, YEAH!! When shit happens to us we all know what is happening. Good or bad. But you don’t. No one does. That’s how we do.
NRR: You get washed out to sea while on tour. You see bacon, a guitar, and case of beer floating next to you in the water as you come up on an island. You can keep one with you the entire time you’re stranded, one goes away after a day, and one never makes it. How does it go down for you?
Bobby Landgraf: Next question please…

Down
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Dirt Fest
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About The Author

After getting the photo bug in the far, past days of black and white film, Erich continued to develop his eye for photography which lead to stops in the sporting, art, wedding, and eventually concert music worlds. Now, doing more writing for National Rock Review, he has entered into the journey of getting to know the artists and the industry, not just the faces on the other side of the lens.