DOWN Still Rehearsing Without REX BROWN

According to DOWN's official web site, the acclaimed New Orleans band which features in its ranks CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist),bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA),guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR),and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) has been rehearsing for its upcoming European dates, which kick off next week. In addition, "it looks like they're gonna lay down some new tracks at the end of the month when they return from the other side of the pond," the posting adds.

A couple of photos of DOWN rehearsing some of its new material at Anselmo's studio, Nodferatu's Lair with CROWBAR bassist Patrick Bruders taking care of the four-string duties instead of Brown can be viewed below.

In a recent interview with The Delaware County Daily Times, Keenan stated about DOWN's next studio release, "We're kinda goin' backwards now. The first record came out a long time ago, so we're feeling that vibe and heading that way; real simple: stripped down and to the point."

He added, "I think we're going to try and do four EPs, and they're all going to be connected together with artwork. This will allow us to have a frontload, heavy as [expletive] EP, and maybe the second one could showcase some of the acoustic stuff we've been saving for awhile, and then continuing the four of them with a completely different style, and obviously the fourth one would be another doom-laden heavy one."

Brown was unable to join DOWN for the band's recent shows and was temporarily replaced by Bruders. Speaking to The Delaware County Daily Times, Pepper stated about Brown, "Rex is not gonna be with us [on the road for the upcoming shows]. He's got things he needs to deal with, and we gave him an ultimatum and he's trying to work things out. We've got Pat from CROWBAR playing bass, and he's ass-kickin' in the same way. He plays with his fingers which is really cool; he's got the whole Geezer Butler thing going on."

When asked if Rex was still considered a part of DOWN, Pepper replied, "I don't know what to really say on that; he's not out of the band, but he's not playing with us live."

During a recent interview with the "Focus In The Mix With Denise Ames" TV show, Brown was asked if he still speaks to his former PANTERA and current DOWN bandmate Philip Anselmo. "We're having a little marital spat, so I'll just leave it at that. I'm in the doghouse," he replied.