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| -www.mtv.com SLIPKNOT SIGN FIRST MAGGOT RECORDING ACT You'd think that after spending half the year sweltering under masks and heavy jumpsuits, the members of Slipknot would use their time off to cool down. The wild Iowans aren't exactly known to be sedentary creatures, however. Not only are a few of the guys working on side projects and solo endeavors, but the nine-headed hydra of hard are also on their way to becoming industry moguls. Maggot Recordings, which takes its name from the term of endearment classifying the band's fans, has signed its first act, Downthesun. The sextet is led by two vocalists, one of whom, Satone Stevens, used to be Clown (#6)'s drum tech, according to a spokesperson from Slipknot's management. Clown is serving as executive producer on Downthesun's debut and is assisting with the album artwork  two functions he provided for 40 Below Summer's debut, Invitation to the Dance. Downthesun will continue to work on their debut album, which is likely to be released next year, until they put it aside to join Slipknot on an overseas trek that begins January 20 in Helsinki, Finland. Note: downthesun are now on Roadrunner Records, not on Maggot Recordings. -www.metalhammer.co.uk DOWNTHESUN FIND NEW DEAL 27 May 2002 Downthesun, the first signings to Slipknot's now defunct Maggot Corps label have secured a new recording contract with Roadrunner Records. Downthesun were left looking for a new deal following the collapse of Maggot Corps's parent company, Sire Records, in January of this year. The band's self-titled debut album is expected to be released later this year. -www.metalhammer.co.uk DOWNTHESUN DEBUT 19 Oct 2001 Downthesun, the first band to be signed to Slipknot's own Maggot Corps label, will issue their self-titled debut album via Maggot / London Records in the UK in early February. Track listing is as follows: 01 'Medicated' 02 'We All Die' 03 'Enslaved' 04 'Lucas Toole' 05 'Zero' 06 'Pure American Filth' 07 'Pitiful' 08 'Scapegoat' 09 'Listen' 10 'Eye Confide' 11 'Jars' 12 'Revelations' Whilst very little is known about the band - Maggot Corpse are even yet to release a picture of the Downthesun - Metal Hammer.co.uk can tell you the group, who fall somewhere between Neurosis and Slipknot, comprises of the following members: Aaron Peltz - vocals (from West Des Moines, Iowa), Sa Tone Stevens - vocals (from Creston, Iowa), Neil Godfrey - guitar (from Santa Barbara, California), Nathan Church - electronics (from Lee Summit, Missouri), Lance 'Kook' Collier - bass (from Kansas City, Kansas) and Daniel Spain - drums (from West Des Moines, Iowa). -www.metalhammer.co.uk DOWNTHESUN OFF SLIPKNOT TOUR 09 Jan 2002 Downthesun, the first signings to Slipknot's Maggot Corps label, will not be on the band's upcoming 'Hammer sponsored arena tour. Instead Sacramento noise terrorists, Will Haven, will be opening for the 'Knot. Dates are as follows: February 14 Glasgow, SECC 15 Manchester, Evening News Arena 16 London, Docklands Arena 18 Brighton, Centre 19 Cardiff, International Arena 20 Birmingham, NEC Downthesun were forced to drop off the tour following the collapse of London / Sire in the States, leaving the band trying to renegotiate their deal with another Warner label. -www.metalhammer.co.uk DOWNTHESUN POST ALBUM TRACK ON WEBSITE 17 Dec 2001 Downthesun, the first signings to Slipknot's Maggot Corps label, have posted a taster of their forthcoming debut album on their official website. A brief exert of the track 'Medicated' can be heard at www.downthesun.com, which is currently under construction. The band, who have been under the watchful eye of Slipknot mainman Shawn 'The Clown' (he took the photo you can see opposite!), can't wait to hit the UK in February on the 'Hammer sponsored Slipknot tour. Dates are as follows: February 14 Glasgow, SECC 15 Manchester, Evening News Arena 16 London, Docklands Arena 18 Brighton, Centre 19 Cardiff, International Arena 20 Birmingham, NEC -Metal Hammmer Magazine DOWNTHESUN Slipknot are well renowned for their straight forward, no bullshit approach to music. They don't pander to the press or the music industry. Slipknot do what they want when they want, and on their terms! And this rudimentary business ethic is something that's been passed on to the first signings to the band's Maggot Corps label, downthesun. Like their mentors, the exact identity of downthesun has been a closely-guarded secret with the only quotable fact about the band being the co-frontman Sa Tone (pronounced 'say tone') is Shawn 'Clown' Crahan's drum tech. "If you want to know where downthesun came from, allow me to fill you in," states bassist Lance Collier. "Myself and Church got together and played a few shows in a different band and we opened for Slipknot. We got to be friends with the clown because he loves our shit, and we love him. Clown is a genius; a great artist. He gives you the truth every night. He bleeds for those kids. And that's what I love about Slipknot and our band -no rock star bullshit. Anyway, we were making internal changes in the band, we tried Sa Tone out, and now he's in the family with us. So here we are - unleased on earth." However, unlike Slipknot, downthesun veer away from stage theatrics and prefer to let their music do the talking. "downthesun, our name means we're drawing down energy from the sun to create a circle of magic, and that is what happens when downthesun gets together," continues Lance. "It's a circle of magic and all six of us complete that circle. In this band, we all do everything. In this band we are all one. We're not a concept band - we don't use props or pyrotechnics. We're just downthesun, we give the kids the ugly, brutal truth, man! When those kids look at us onstage, it's them up there 'cos that's what we are. You see me up onstage and I'm the same guy you see at the corner shop. We're the same guys." Indeed, downthesun's combined vision and eclectic fusion of personalities is also reflected in their lyrics, which take in all the bile of modern society. "Our songs are ugly, and they're the brutal truth...they're disgusting. We write about EVERYTHING. The way we see our country as we live in it...drugs...everything! We cover just about every emotion there is. We talk about very personal things to us as a group. We play what we love. Whether it's extremely heavy, or beautiful and melodic. We do whatever we feel, and we talk about certain issues the way that song makes us feel. It's just straight up! It's hard to say what each person brings to the band. We all have to put so musch of ourselves into this, y'know? I don't wnna break it down to the individuals of the band. downthesun IS. It just IS." -Danny Lane -www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk DOWNTHESUN Nothing is ever easy with this band... "How are things?" started a conversation this afternoon with downthesun bassist Kuk. "Pretty tense, we're leaving today," Kuk quickly replied. Today. Today marks the start of downthesun's first ever US tour...first ever tour for that matter. They will be meeting up with the rest of the H82k2 tour bill - Slayer, Soulfly, and In Flames - for the first show come August 3rd in San Jose, California. The crew picked up the van and trailer in Chicago earlier in the day, then up to Des Moines to pick up half the downthesun contingent, then to Kansas City to pick up the rest. After that, it's off to Utah tonight, and San Jose the next morning. There will be ten traveling in the band all together. Ten. "We haven't traveled extensively as a band. So it's going to be a test for downthesun, just like everything else - nothing is easy about this band," Kuk tells. Speaking of vans, Kuk remembers doing some regional touring in a van from a previous band..."it sucks," he plainly tells as he goes into a story of their van catching on fire once, having to jump out, and put out the flames with water. They were later picked up by a Ryder truck, and then rode in the back of that truck (with the gear) in middle of summer from Nebraska to Kansas City...by the way, they arrived at show 5 minutes late, didn't get to play that night. Ahhh, the glory of the road... But music is magic, and that is what it is all about - spreading the music. So, what will downthesun be listening to during their upcoming nationwide travels? "Let me open up my cd case," says Kuk. "I am taking Killswitch Engage (Alive Or Just Breathing), Soilent Green, Slipknot, Pantera (Vulgar Display Of Power & Great Southern Trendkill), Deicide (In Torment In Hell), King Diamond (The Eye), a little Obituary, Van Halen 1984, VOD the green record, Testament (Low), Skinlab, I've got Black Sabbath, the very first record, because that's where it all began, and KISS Destroyer, because that was the first record I ever owned - I was 7." And what does Kuk expect from the first downthesun tour? "I'm expecting total fucking hell and chaos...as I said before, everything surrounding this band is fucking difficult...I think this is the perfect way to start, going out with the original fucking Slayer." Words of wisdom. We did offer up one last bit of advice to Kuk before heading out on this long journey, always wear socks with shoes. "That, and all the dirty clothes stay in the trailer," Kuk retorted. Touche. Debut release in stores Sept 30th. Oh, we must mention, speaking with the band a bit later this evening - shortly after they hit the road - they already suffered a flat tire. nothing is ever easy with this band, indeed... What's the word? Yes, you know - downthesun is indeed confirmed to play on the US H82K2 Tour - Slayer, Soulfly, In Flames. Now, a bit more detail, as taken from the official press release as given by our most fine US press department. As follows: downthesun Set to Wreak Havoc on Slayer's H82K2 Tour New York, NY Extreme sextet, downthesun, are planning their first assault on the U.S. The band is confirmed to perform dates on Slayer's upcoming high-profile H82K2 Tour, featuring labelmates Soulfly as well as In Flames. downthesun will jump on the tour beginning on August 3rd in San Jose, CA and continue through September. downthesun's self-titled debut is the sound of anger, frustration, and boredom channeled into one enraged sonic outburst. The band's twisted roots trail back to mid-1999 when bassist Kuk and sample operator Church's former band opened for Slipknot. The Kansas City, MO natives garnered the interest of Slipknot's Shawn "Clown" Crahan, who then steered them in the direction of other Des Moines musicians, including drummer Dan Spain and vocalist/former "Clown Tech" Satone. Completing "The Six," as they like to call it, are co-vocalist Aaron Peltz and guitarist Bruce Swink. Together, downthesun are a radically belligerent and hostile lot, slapping the world in the face with their confrontational lyrics and pummeling rhythms. Crahan comments, "downthesun is based on a simple foundation, opposites compliment each other. Friend or foe. Truth or lies. On or off." Check out the band's first official tour and experience the power of their performance for yourself. *Thank for mtv.com, Roadrunner Records, and Metal Hammer for all the great articles.
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